An analytical cross-sectional study on the relationship of perceived social connectedness and burnout symptoms in medical students from a private tertiary institution in Metro Manila enrolled in an online curriculum for the academic year 2020-2021 / The Health Sciences Journal

INTRODUCTION@#Online learning was put at the forefront for the safe continuation of education amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This study determined the association of the level of social connectedness and symptoms of burnout in a purely online academic curriculum.@*METHODS@#This analytical cross-sectional study design included medical students enrolled in a private tertiary institution in the National Capital Region as respondents in an online survey. The perceived social connectedness and symptoms of burnout were objectively measured, using previously validated questionnaires, the Social Connectedness Scale - Revised (SCS-R), and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). The prevalence risk ratio (PRR) was computed.@*RESULTS@#Of the 119 respondents, majority reported reduced levels of social connectedness (72.3%) and experienced symptoms of burnout (85.7%). Among those with reduced levels of social connectedness (PRR: 1.25; 1.00, 1.55), there was a higher risk of having symptoms of burnout.@*CONCLUSION@#Amid the implementation of a purely online curriculum, medical students with reduced social connectedness had an increased risk of experiencing symptoms of burnout.

Social Isolation, Social Support, and Psychological Distress Among the Elderly During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study from Central India

Background: In the present COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing measures have been advised to protect elderly from infection which might have led to poor mental health state. Objective: A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the magnitude of social isolation, social support, and psychological distress among the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic in Central India. Methods: The estimated sample size was 1535. The sample was equally distributed among rural, semiurban, and urban strata of districts. Social isolation was measured using Lubben’s Social Network Scale?Revised, and psychological distress was assessed using Kessler K10 Psychological Distress Scale. Other parameters such as a history of COVID-19 illness and COVID-19 vaccination were assessed. Results: The prevalence of social isolation was higher at 23.6% during the COVID?19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic period (15.0%). The majority perceived a high level of social support during the pandemic (55.3%) and 39.9% received moderate support. Overall, 18.4% of the respondents had psychological distress. Out of them, 56.2% had mild distress, 20.1% had moderate distress, and 23.7% had severe distress. Significant predictors of psychological distress were female gender, lower socioeconomic status, history of COVID-19 disease among the participants, social isolation, and lack of social support. Conclusion: Social isolation and lack of social support were significant predictors of psychological distress among the elderly during the pandemic.

Translation and adaptation of the Social Connectedness Scale to portuguese / Tradução e adaptação da Escala de Conectividade Social para o português / Traducción y adaptación de la Escala de Conectividad Social para el portugués

The goal of the present study was to adapt the social connectedness scale (SCS) to Brazilian Portuguese and evaluate its psychometric properties. A survey was conducted with 222 participants. They answered the SCS, the positive and negative affective schedule (PANAS), the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL), two pictorial measures of social connectedness, and a socio-demographic questionnaire. The original one factor solution was supported by the data. The SCS-derived score was significantly associated with the other measures in the expected directions. The results described in the present study are favorable regarding the internal consistency and evidence of validity of SCS scores. The study offers three social connectedness measures that can be used to investigate the impacts of social connectedness on cognition, behavior and health of Brazilians. (AU)

O objetivo do presente estudo foi adaptar a Escala de Conectividade Social (SCS) para o português brasileiro e avaliar suas propriedades psicométricas. Um levantamento de dados foi realizado com 222 participantes. Eles responderam à SCS, o Positive and Negative Affective Schedule (PANAS), o Índice de Religião da Duke University (DUREL), duas medidas pictóricas de conectividade social e um questionário sociodemográfico. A solução original de um fator foi apoiada pelos dados. O escore derivado da SCS esteve significativamente associado com as outras medidas nas direções esperadas. Os resultados descritos no presente estudo são favoráveis quanto à consistência interna e à evidência de validade dos escores da SCS. O estudo oferece três medidas de conectividade social que poderão ser usadas para investigar os impactos da conectividade social na cognição, comportamento e saúde dos brasileiros. (AU)

El objetivo del presente estudio fue adaptar la escala de conectividad social (SCS) para el portugués brasileño y evaluar sus propiedades psicométricas. Se realizó una encuesta de datos con 222 participantes. La muestra respondió al SCS, el positive and negative affective schedule (PANAS), el Índice de Religión de la Universidad de Duke (DUREL), dos medidas pictóricas de conectividad social, además de un cuestionario sociodemográfico. La solución original de un factor fue respaldada por los datos. Los resultados derivados de la SCS se asociaron significativamente con las otras medidas en las direcciones esperadas. Los resultados descritos en el presente estudio son favorables con respecto a la consistencia interna y la evidencia de validez de los escores de la SCS. El estudio ofrece tres medidas de conectividad social que se pueden utilizar para investigar los impactos de la conectividad social en la cognición, el comportamiento y la salud de los brasileños. (AU)

A Study on Factors Affecting Suicidal Tendency of the Elderly Living Alone on Care Services

OBJECTIVES: The high suicide rate has risen as a main concern in South Korea. Given the complexity of the mechanism resulting in complete suicide, studies targeting various populations are needed for broader understanding of its risk factors. This study aims to analyze the factors affecting the suicidal tendency in the population of the elderly living alone in Seoul depending on basic elderly-care services. METHODS: A total number of 415 people participated in the study. Home-visit interviews were administered by trained interviewers. Suicidal tendency was measured by the Korean version of mini international neuropsychiatric interview (K-MINI). Health-related quality of life was measured by a brief version of the World Health Organization Quality-of-life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF). Alcohol problem was assessed by the Korean version of the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT-K). Among total subjects of 415 interviewees, the actual responses of 408 people were used for the final analysis. RESULTS: The result showed that the suicide risk was high in persons isolated from social support [odds ratio (OR) = 4.49], having depression (OR = 14.85), and having low quality of life (OR = 4.39). CONCLUSIONS: We found that social support, depression and health-related quality of life are associated with suicidal tendency in the elderly living alone on basic services. Our evidence will contribute to suicide prevention policy for the elderly living alone on care services.

Prevalence and Correlates of Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors among North Korean Defectors

OBJECTIVE: Despite the increasing number of North Korean defectors, research on their mental health conditions and suicidal thoughts and behaviors has not been conducted systematically. We examined the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in North Korean defectors. METHODS: This study focused on 300 North Korean defectors recruited from regional resettlement centers in South Korea. In-person interviews based on the North Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview were conducted to diagnose mental disorders and assess suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between suicidal thoughts and behaviors and socio-demographic variables, and DSM-IV mental disorders. RESULTS: Lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts were 28.3, 13.3, and 17.3%, respectively. Female sex (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.0–3.9), presence of health problems in the past year (2.6, 95% CI: 1.4–4.6), and absence of both South Korean acquaintances (1.9, 95% CI: 1.0–3.4) and North Korean family (1.7, 95% CI: 1.0–2.9) were associated with higher odds of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, after adjusting for participant age, sex, and education. Presence of a mental disorder was associated with a significantly increased odd of suicide ideation, plan, and attempt. Of all mental disorder categories, agoraphobia had the strongest association with suicidal ideation (6.5, 95% CI: 2.0–21.6), plans (7.7, 95% CI: 2.5–23.2) and attempts (12.0, 95% CI: 3.5–40.8). CONCLUSION: Suicidal thoughts and behaviors among North Korean defectors are higher than the general population in South Korea, especially show high rates in transit countries. Further study should focus on the changes in suicidal thoughts and behaviors according to the settlement process and early prevention.

Social Connectedness in Physical, Mental and Social Health

We are constantly reminded to take care of ourselves. We need a healthy and balanced diet, with regular exercises, and good quality rest. However, research has shown that social connectedness also plays an essential and critical function to our physical and mental well-being. Many studies have shown that lack of social connection is a predictor of social isolation, resulting in greater detriment to health. Strong social connectedness is associated with increased longevity, strengthening of ones’ immune system, faster recovery from disease and, hence, a lengthening of one’s life. Studies have also shown that people who feel more connected to others in relationships tend to generate a positive feedback loop in communicating and maintaining healthy social and emotional well-being with others in the family, workplace and community. This decreases the propensity to antisocial behaviour, isolation behaviour or poor mental health. Individuals with strong connectedness were observed to have lower rates of anxiety and depression; and higher self-esteem and were more empathic towards self and others, resulting in better emotional and psychological well-being. Social connectedness is a broad topic and can be reviewed from various perspectives. This article will review the concept from a psychological perspective of self, exploring the importance of practicing compassion intervention in social connectedness and self-care.