An intersectional approach to identifying factors associated with anxiety and depression following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting mental health, with some populations bearing a greater burden. In this cross-sectional online study, we examined the personal and intersectional factors associated with increased symptoms of anxiety and depression following the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed pre- and post-pandemic levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 (GAD-2) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scales, respectively. The study included 1847 participants, with an age range of 18 to 79 years and representing 43 countries. Variables with significance (p < 0.05) in predicting post-pandemic GAD-2 and PHQ-9 scores were pre-pandemic scores on the same scales, an interaction between increasing age and non-man gender, and an interaction between non-man gender and having children. Health practitioners, psychiatrists, and policy makers need to be aware and respond to the mental health burden of the pandemic on women and other gendered individuals, especially those who care for children.

COVID-19 attributed Changes of Home and Family Responsibilities among Single Mothers

Lockdown measures during COVID-19 have presented increased challenges in the home and family responsibilities. Single mothers may face unique challenges as they may be isolated from external family supports. Changes on a 19-item home and family work role survey pre- and post-COVID were tested with a paired t-test and sign test;the impact of age and people in the home was assessed using linear regression. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in 6/19 post-COVID-19 family responsibilities. In comparison to pre-COVID-19, post-COVID-19 single mothers reported a statistically significant median increase in family responsibilities (Mdn = .0000), p < .041. Each additional person living in the home was associated with a decrease in family responsibilities (B = -13.1, 95% CI [-21.943, -4.247]). Changes in the home and family responsibilities confirm that COVID-19 led to increased unpaid work to fulfill home and family responsibilities among single mothers.

Understanding the unpaid work roles amongst households, during COVID-19.

Background: Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a rapid disruption on work, social activities and family life. Pre-pandemic norms suggested that women spend more time in unpaid work roles and with childcare, while men spend more time in paid work roles. This study aims to understand: 1) the distribution of unpaid work roles within households, and 2) if there are certain factors that explain the unpaid work roles within a household during the pandemic. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional survey of people across the globe, during the pandemic. The survey, administered through a virtual platform of Qualtrics, consisted of the following sections: (a) consent, (b) location and job description (c) marital status and household numbers (d) age, sex, and gender (e) unpaid work roles and family responsibilities. Descriptive statistics and percentages were reported for all the data regarding the study variables. A multivariable regression model was used to understand which factors may explain the changes in unpaid work roles recalling before and during the pandemic. Results: This survey was completed by 1847 participants. The mean age was 30 years old (standard deviation of 13.3). The majority of participants identified themselves as women (76.0%) and single (62.1%). The multivariable linear regression indicated that marital status (single, common-law, married, divorced), higher number of household members (1-8,12), older age, higher number of dependent children, and gender (female) were positive and significant predictors of baseline changes in unpaid work role scores, explaining 50% of the variance (R2 = 0.50). Discussion: All households experienced a significant increase in the amount of unpaid work roles during the pandemic. However, older women who were in a relationship and experienced additional household members such as dependent children or sick older adults, were faced with more changes in unpaid work roles during COVID-19, than other individuals.

What Are Work-Related Predictors of Post-COVID-19 Home and Family Work Roles? A Cross-Sectional Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which pre-and post-COVID-19 work-related factors can explain post-COVID-19 home and family work roles. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey. The primary outcome measure was the Home and Family Work Roles Questionnaire. Descriptive statistical methods and multiple regression analyses were run. The significant predictors were further probed in a one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model with a Tukey posthoc correction. RESULTS: In our sample of 1447 participants, the two significant predictors of post-COVID-19 home and family work roles were pre-pandemic paid job status (F [3, 1401] = 5.66, P < 0.001), and pre-COVID-19 home and family work roles (F [1, 1401] = 2509.26, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Greater pre-pandemic home and family role responsibilities, full-time and part-time employment pre-COVID-19 were associated with greater post-COVID-19 home and family responsibilities.

The role of sex and gender in the changing levels of anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety and depression, but have not focused on the role of sex and gender. This study compared changes in the levels of anxiety and depression (pre- and post-COVID) experienced by individuals of various sexes and genders. METHODS: We used a cross-sectional online survey that assessed pre- and post-COVID symptoms of anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). General linear modeling (fixed model factorial analysis of variance) was used to evaluate changes in anxiety and depression between pre- and post-pandemic periods and explore differential effects of sex and gender on those changes. RESULTS: Our study included 1847 participants from 43 countries and demonstrated a percentage increase of 57.1% and 74.2% in anxiety and depression, respectively. For the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 scale (maximum score 6), there was a mean increase in anxiety by sex for male, female, and other of 1.0, 1.2, and 1.4, respectively; and by gender for man, woman, and others of 0.9, 1.3, and 1.6, respectively. For the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (maximum score 27), there was a mean increase in depressive symptoms by sex for male, female, and other of 3.6, 4.7, and 5.5 respectively; and by gender for man, woman, and others of 3.3, 4.8, and 6.5, respectively. CONCLUSION: During COVID-19, there was an increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms for all sexes and genders, with the greatest increases reported by those identifying as non-male and non-men.

Online learning versus workshops: a rank minimized trial comparing the effect of two knowledge translation strategies designed to alter knowledge, readiness to change, and self-efficacy with respect to rehabilitation outcome measures.

PURPOSE: Traditional face-to-face learning is often replaced by virtual learning because it can be more feasible and cost-effective, and more recently due to the need for social distancing. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of two innovative knowledge translation (KT) interventions; in-person stakeholder-hosted, interactive, problem-based seminars (SHIPS) versus online problem-based tutorials (e-PBL) in changing knowledge, readiness to change, and self-efficacy with respect to the use of rehabilitation outcome measures. METHODS: Physical and occupational therapists (n = 124) were recruited from four sites across Canada to participate in either an e-PBL or SHIPS. Evaluations of KT impact measured knowledge, self-efficacy to implement outcome measures in practice, and readiness to change. RESULTS: There were 112 participants who completed the study. Following the intervention, the mean knowledge scores for both groups improved, but there was greater improvement in participants who completed SHIPS. For self-efficacy and readiness to change, there was no significant difference between groups six months following the interventions. E-PBL was as good as a SHIPS for improving and retaining self-efficacy and readiness to change. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge improved more with workshops than online delivery, while improvements in self-efficacy and readiness to change improved similarly regardless of delivery.Implications for RehabilitationThis study compared the relative efficacy of internet and workshop-based education, focusing specifically on the use of outcome measures in physical and occupational therapy practice.Improvements in the self-efficacy of rehabilitation professionals with respect to outcome measure use had lasting effects regardless of KT intervention type, as it was retained six months following the intervention.Results from this study show that online interventions may be as effective as face-to-face workshops for improving readiness to change and self-efficacy for using outcome measures in practice by rehabilitation professionals.This is valuable information given the recent global pandemic, the need for social distancing, and the potential for learning interventions to focus within the online environment in the future.

Short-Term Impact of Social Distancing Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cognitive Function and Health Perception of Brazilian Older Adults: A Pre-Post Study.

Social distancing, a critical measure to manage COVID-19 transmission, is consistently associated with social isolation, a major health issue. Social isolation negatively impacts mental and physical health, particularly among older adults. A pre-post comparison study examined changes in cognitive function and perceived health among 36 community-dwelling Brazilian older adults, assessed pre and post social distancing measures enacted due to COVID-19. A significant increase in cognitive function was found 1 month into social distancing (M = 16.3, p = .002, power = 0.88), with declining scores for vitality (M = -29.3, p < .001, power = 0.99) and mental health (M = -38.1, p < .001, power = 0.99), particularly among participants who lived alone (t = -3.8, p = .001). Older adults exhibit rapid changes in perceived health when excluded from participation in social activities. Health care professionals should consider holistic approaches when addressing the impacts of social isolation on this population.