Depressive and anxious symptomatology in a Lebanese sample during the COVID-19 outbreak

This study explores the correlates of depressive and anxious symptomatology in a Lebanese sample during the COVID-19 outbreak. A convenience sample of 191 respondents participated in a cross-sectional survey and completed measures of fear of COVID-19, rumination about COVID-19, job insecurity, political trust, depression, and generalized anxiety. Results indicated that political trust was associated with greater wellbeing (manifested as decreased job insecurity, fear of COVID-19, depression, and anxiety). Respondents who reported no compliance with self-isolation measures reported less rumination about COVID-19 and less fear of COVID-19 than those who did. Multiple regression analyses showed that fear of, and rumination about, COVID-19 predicted depressive and anxious symptomatology while political trust was protective against depressive symptomatology only. This study provides a novel perspective on mental health in Lebanon, by focusing on its social and psychological predictors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to political and economic instability in Lebanon, the COVID-19 crisis may have deleterious effects on mental health in the Lebanese population. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence-based and cost-effective approach to enhancing mental health during the pandemic and may be beneficial in the Lebanese context.Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Self-harm and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 outbreak in Lebanon: a preliminary study

Purpose - This cross-sectional study focuses on the social psychological correlates of self-harm and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak in Lebanon, which is a country characterized by political and economic instability. Design/methodology/approach - A convenience sample of 191 Lebanese individuals completed measures of length of being in lockdown, fear of COVID-19, job insecurity, political trust, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and multiple regression. Findings - Fear of COVID-19 was associated with neither self-harm nor suicidal ideation. Males and people with lower income reported higher suicidal ideation than females and those with higher income, respectively, and religiosity was inversely associated with suicidal ideation. People who reported self-harm generally exhibited lower political trust than those who did not report self-harm. Research limitations/implications - Beyond the fear of COVID-19, the socioeconomic sequelae of COVID-19 (especially the economic fallout and declining political trust), which are accentuated in already economically and politically unstable societies, may precipitate poor mental health and maladaptive coping strategies in Lebanon. There is a need to ensure adequate access to mental health services to the general population amid the COVID-19 outbreak in Lebanon. Originality/value - This study provides novel insight into the risk factors for self-harm and suicidal ideation in Lebanon during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Self-harm and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 outbreak in Lebanon: a preliminary study

Purpose: This cross-sectional study focuses on the social psychological correlates of self-harm and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak in Lebanon, which is a country characterized by political and economic instability. Design/methodology/approach: A convenience sample of 191 Lebanese individuals completed measures of length of being in lockdown, fear of COVID-19, job insecurity, political trust, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and multiple regression. Findings: Fear of COVID-19 was associated with neither self-harm nor suicidal ideation. Males and people with lower income reported higher suicidal ideation than females and those with higher income, respectively, and religiosity was inversely associated with suicidal ideation. People who reported self-harm generally exhibited lower political trust than those who did not report self-harm. Research limitations/implications: Beyond the fear of COVID-19, the socioeconomic sequelae of COVID-19 (especially the economic fallout and declining political trust), which are accentuated in already economically and politically unstable societies, may precipitate poor mental health and maladaptive coping strategies in Lebanon. There is a need to ensure adequate access to mental health services to the general population amid the COVID-19 outbreak in Lebanon. Originality/value: This study provides novel insight into the risk factors for self-harm and suicidal ideation in Lebanon during the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2021, Ismael Maatouk, Moubadda Assi and Rusi Jaspal.

The emerging impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on sexual health in Lebanon

Background The coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) has had compounding effects on the political and economic crisis with severe economic and health consequences. Throughout the lockdown, one of the largest sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV clinics in Beirut with linkages to major civil organizations in direct contact with sexual health beneficiaries has remained open for emergencies. The main objective of this study was to measure COVID19 impact on sexual health services in this clinic in Beirut. Methods A review of electronically based STIs screenings and diagnoses for the period February-December 2020 was conducted. Results The clinic has noted a major reduction in STI testing rates. Only 116 screenings were recorded in the mentioned period which contrasts with the 334 screenings conducted during the same period of 2019 (65% drop in 2020). All the screenings were among men who have sex with men (MSM). On the other hand, PEP was prescribed 86 times in the period February-December 2020 compared to 67 times during the same period of time in 2019 (28% increase). All cases of PEP prescriptions were for MSM. A range of risky behaviors and a 12% prevalence of HIV have been documented in MSM in Lebanon. Conclusion The increase in PEP prescription for MSM indicates that sexual risk-taking has persisted despite potential fear of contracting COVID-19. Two factors could explain our Results (1) social psychological stressors (political and economic instability, huge explosion, COVID19) may threaten identity and wellbeing, leading MSM to resort to sexual risk behaviours;(2) data on epidemiology of STIs in COVID19 time are inconsistent due to the lack of stratification by incubation period, acute versus chronic type, duration of symptoms and sexual orientation. Future studies should ascertain the impact of COVID19 on both mental and sexual health especially in stigmatized communities such as MSM.