Association Between Loneliness, Premenstrual Symptoms, and Other Factors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study with Japanese High School Students.

Purpose: Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood where people are vulnerable to stress. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause sustained stress in the population. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation and loneliness have increased. Loneliness is associated with increased stress, psychological distress, and a higher risk of mental illnesses, such as depression. This study examined the association between loneliness, premenstrual symptoms, and other factors in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescent females in Japan. Patients and Methods: A school-based cross-sectional survey of 1450 adolescent female students in Japan was conducted in mid-December of 2021. Specifically, paper-based questionnaires were distributed in class, and the responses were collected. The Premenstrual Symptoms Questionnaire (PSQ), 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, 3-item Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (R-UCLA), and Fear of COVID-19 Scale were used as measurement tools. The prevalence of loneliness was defined as a total R-UCLA score ≥ 6. Results: The prevalence of loneliness was 29.0%. The prevalence of serious psychological distress was also high (8.2%), especially in the lonely group (16.0%). Multivariable regression analysis identified the following factors associated with loneliness: second year (odds ratio [OR] 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-2.14), longer internet use (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02-1.20), total PSQ score (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.06-1.11), and psychological distress (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01-1.08). Conclusion: Adolescent females in Japan showed a high prevalence of loneliness. School year (2nd year), longer periods of internet use, premenstrual symptom severity, and psychological distress were independently associated with loneliness. For clinicians and school health professionals, special concern should be given to the psychological health of adolescent females during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Association Between Serious Psychological Distress and Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study with Pregnant Japanese Women.

PURPOSE: Pregnant women are vulnerable to stress. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic and created significant stress for many people. Social distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19 has also reduced social interactions, which has increased social isolation and loneliness. Loneliness is thought to increase perceived stress, cause psychological distress, and increase the risk of mental illness, such as depression. This study examined the association between serious psychological distress (SPD) and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic in pregnant Japanese women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An internet survey of 1022 pregnant women in Japan was conducted between June 1 and July 21, 2021. The 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, 3-item Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Fear of COVID-19 Scale were used as measurement tools. The prevalence of SPD was defined as a K6 score of ≥13. RESULTS: The prevalence of SPD was 16.5%. Multivariate analysis revealed that the risk factors for SPD were younger age (odds ratio [OR] 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 to 1.10; p = 0.020), history of abortion or miscarriages (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.36; p = 0.034), unemployment (OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.14 to 2.45; p = 0.008), fear of COVID-19 (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.17; p < 0.001), and loneliness (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.38 to 1.70; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pregnant women in Japan showed a high prevalence of SPD. Younger age, unemployment, history of abortion or miscarriages, fear of COVID-19, and loneliness were independently associated with SPD. Clinicians and health officials should pay particular attention to the psychological health of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Association between Premenstrual Symptoms and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms by COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study with Japanese High School Students.

COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented global pandemic. Premenstrual symptoms include mood-related, behavioral, and physical symptoms that are limited to the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Psychosocial stress is a risk factor for premenstrual symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine the association between premenstrual symptoms and stress caused by COVID-19. We analyzed data from 871 students with regular menstrual cycles who completed the Premenstrual Symptoms Questionnaire (PSQ), Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and Impact of Event Scale-Revised version (IES-R). The total PSQ score was significantly higher in women with COVID-19-induced posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) than in non-PTSS groups. Compared with pre-pandemic data (2019), the total PSQ score did not change in non-PTSS, but increased in PTSS groups. All symptoms were more severe in PTSS groups than in non-PTSS groups. Compared with 2019, PTSS groups had more severe symptoms for all symptoms except 'physical symptoms' and 'decreased social activity', and non-PTSS groups only exhibited improvements in the 'decreased social activity'. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the IES-R score was a significant exacerbation factor of the total PSQ score, along with age and menstrual pain. This study revealed the association between pandemic-associated PTSS and the severity of premenstrual symptoms.