Vulnerability and self-efficacy predict loneliness among the Turkish public during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused several negative psychological effects as well as physical effects. There are numerous studies indicating that individuals have experienced high levels of loneliness during the current health crisis. However, the relationship between vulnerability and self-efficacy with loneliness has not been sufficiently discussed during the pandemic. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the predictive effect of vulnerability and self-efficacy in loneliness among Turkish adults during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study using the snowball sampling method. The vulnerability and self-efficacy related to COVID-19 were measured with single questions, and loneliness was measured by the UCLA Loneliness scale (ULS-8). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression. Results: The results indicated that vulnerability was negatively correlated with self-efficacy (β =-0.36, p<0.001) and positively correlated with loneliness (β = 0.13, p<0.001). Similarly, self-efficacy was negatively correlated with loneliness (β =-0.12, p<0.001). Furthermore, the current research revealed that vulnerability positively predicted loneliness (β = 0.10, p<0.05). On the other hand, self-efficacy negatively predicted loneliness (β =-0.11, p< 0.05) after controlling for age and gender. Discussion: The study examined the relationship between vulnerability, self-efficacy, and loneliness among Turkish adults during COVID-19, and revealed that vulnerability is a potential risk factor for loneliness, while self-efficacy is a potential protective factor for loneliness. Take-home message: The findings of the study will provide practical information for intervention programs aimed at reducing or preventing loneliness among Turkish adults. © 2022 by the authors.

Prevalence and predictors of burnout syndrome among schoolteachers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: A cross-sectional survey

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, teleworking affected the mental well-being of nearly all strata of the population. Teachers, who were employed to teach online courses during lockdown have been psychologically distressed. The primary aim of the current study was to estimate the prevalence and differences in the Burnout Syndrome (BOS) symptomatology in the light of gender, work position, teaching role, and subject taught. As a secondary aim, differences in perceived wellbeing were estimated through the contribution of individual factors. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted from February-May 2021 to recruit a total of 361 teachers from all Italian regions. The Work-Life Balance scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and an ad-hoc questionnaire with items on perceived physical well-being and perceived impact and difficulty in remote work were utilized. Predictors associated with burnout and its subscales were examined using linear regression analyses. Results: Burnout, measured as the co-existence of high emotional exhaustion (EE), high depersonalization (DP), and low personal accomplishment (PA) was revealed in 16.9% of teachers, while high EE, high DP, and low PA were respectively measured in 35.2%, 13.2% and 35.2% of the sample. Variables, such as gender, work position, teaching role, and subject taught were all significant for group differences in perceived well-being or BOS dimensions among teachers. Discussion: Our findings suggest that the implementation of occupational health programs and workplace health promotion programs for improving the mental well-being of teachers. In particular, a higher caution must be needed for implementing critical institutional changes, such as the wide and rapid adoption of telecommuting. Take-home message: Italian schoolteachers engaged in teleworking are exposed to a high risk of stress and burnout during the COVID-19 emergency. Implementing occupational health surveillance programs and workplace health promotions programs are needed to protect and improve teachers’ mental well-being. © 2022 by the authors.

First COVID-19 wave in Italy: coping strategies for the prevention and prediction of burnout syndrome (BOS) in voluntary psychologists employed in telesupport

Introduction. The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the pathology resulting from the infection, declared a pandemic on 11 March 2020, has strongly impacted the psychological health of the population. Italy was the first Western country to show significant signs of a widespread epidemic and to activate severe restrictive measures (national lockdown), with mental health consequences in the population. The National Council of the Order of Psychologists, adapting to the decree of the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Government, encouraged psychological support in telematic (by telephone or online) form. To respond to this emergency, several Italian psychologists activated listening desks, applying national and international guidelines on telepsychology. As part of the help profession, psychologists can develop burnout syndrome (BOS). The research hypotheses underlying this work are to investigate which are the most effective/dysfunctional coping styles in dealing with the onset of BOS and to analyse the differences between volunteer and non-volunteer psychologists. Method. Using a non-probability convenience sampling, 468 participants were recruited through an online survey, of which 77 were male (16.5%) and 391 female (83.5%), with an average age of 40.95 years (SD = 8.98) and an age range from 26 to 72. To evaluate the three dimensions of burnout, the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Italian Version was administered. To evaluate coping strategies, the new Italian version of the Coping Orientation to the Problems Experienced Inventory (COPE-NVI-25) was administered. Correlations, MANOVA and regression were applied. Results. Of the sample, 16.9% (79) had high levels in all three BO measures, while in the volunteer group alone, the figure increased to 17.6%. MANOVA highlights a statistical significance between volunteers and non-volunteers for Depersonalization but no gender difference in the development of BOS. Regression analysis highlights that Positive Attitude and Social Support strategies are those to focus on to prevent and contain the onset of BOS. In contrast, Orientation to the Problem and Avoidance Strategies predict the development of the syndrome. The only coping style which does not reach any significance level in all BOS dimensions is Transcendent Orientation. © 2021 Sapienza Universita Editrice. All rights reserved.