Photovoice study CORONA: life experiences of the high-risk group during the pandemic

Background: People who belong to the high-risk group are exposed to develop a more severe course of the coronavirus disease and have an increased risk of death if they are infected by COVID-19. To limit the spread of COVID-19 among the population, situationally appropriate regulations are enforced that change the way people live their daily lives. Background: How does the high-risk group deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the participatory research of their everyday organization, concerns and own health resources, are the focus of this study. Material and methods: The photovoice method was used in an online format to analyze the living environment of the high-risk group. In this context three online workshops were conducted. Seven high-risk patients affected by different chronic diseases describe with pictures and stories what COVID-19 means to them and what they are grateful for in this exceptional situation. The recruitment was done by personal contact of the research team with potential participants. Results: The co-researchers have formulated nine stories expressing their feelings of gratitude towards the healthcare system and their social environment. The question of a social stigmatization of persons with underlying diseases is critically reflected. The high-risk patients act in a health-competent way, consciously apply personal health resources, such as social contacts or health-promoting daily routines, to avoid negative consequences on their health and to increase their well-being. Discussion: The co-researchers show a health-competent lifestyle and are able to influence their well-being in a positive way;however, there are indications that the long-term approach to vulnerable communities needs to be discussed, especially concerning discrimination processes and a needs-based health care.

Photovoice study CORONA: Life experiences of the high-risk group during the pandemic

Background: People who belong to the high-risk group are exposed to develop a more severe course of the coronavirus disease and have an increased risk of death if they are infected by COVID-19. To limit the spread of COVID-19 among the population, situationally appropriate regulations are enforced that change the way people live their daily lives. Objective: How does the high-risk group deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the participatory research of their everyday organization, concerns and own health resources, are the focus of this study. Material and methods: The photovoice method was used in an online format to analyze the living environment of the high-risk group. In this context three online workshops were conducted. Seven high-risk patients affected by different chronic diseases describe with pictures and stories what COVID-19 means to them and what they are grateful for in this exceptional situation. The recruitment was done by personal contact of the research team with potential participants. Results: The co-researchers have formulated nine stories expressing their feelings of gratitude towards the healthcare system and their social environment. The question of a social stigmatization of persons with underlying diseases is critically reflected. The high-risk patients act in a health-competent way, consciously apply personal health resources, such as social contacts or health-promoting daily routines, to avoid negative consequences on their health and to increase their well-being. Discussion: The co-researchers show a health-competent lifestyle and are able to influence their well-being in a positive way;however, there are indications that the long-term approach to vulnerable communities needs to be discussed, especially concerning discrimination processes and a needs-based health care. © 2021, The Author(s).

Effects of COVID-19 support measures on the subjective health and well-being of employees at state universities from the perspective of experts

Background: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the necessary measures to contain the spread of the disease shaped the living and working situation of many people in 2020/2021. Universities also had to implement measures to protect employees from infection in order to continue research and teaching. These had positive and negative effects on the subjective health and everyday working situation of employees. In order to avoid possible risks in the future in similarly challenging situations or in the continuation of measures, knowledge about health effects is important. Methods: Using a mixed-methods approach, academic professionals and experts of equality, inclusion, health management, and counseling were surveyed using an online questionnaire on the impact of professional support measures in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic on the subjective health and well-being of university employees. Results: A total of 117 experts participated in the quantitative survey. The dissolution of boundaries between private and professional life (71%) and the health behavior of employees (55%) were perceived critically. Most (81%) perceive the collegial interaction as positive. At the same time, the experts see a deterioration in social relations (78%). According to their assessment, the work situation under COVID-19 conditions is mostly manageable (55%), understandable (71%), and reasonable (64%) for the employees. Conclusion: The experts convey a differentiated picture of the situation. There is evidence that the situation is proving to be significantly more challenging for specific groups of employees in higher education than for others. If online teaching and telecommuting are to become established at universities, attention will have to be paid to aspects of social health and dissolution of boundaries between work and private life. © 2022, The Author(s).

Photovoice study CORONA Life experiences of the high-risk group during the pandemic

Background People who belong to the high-risk group are exposed to develop a more severe course of the coronavirus disease and have an increased risk of death if they are infected by COVID-19. To limit the spread of COVID-19 among the population, situationally appropriate regulations are enforced that change the way people live their daily lives. Objective How does the high-risk group deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the participatory research of their everyday organization, concerns and own health resources, are the focus of this study. Material and methods The photovoice method was used in an online format to analyze the living environment of the high-risk group. In this context three online workshops were conducted. Seven high-risk patients affected by different chronic diseases describe with pictures and stories what COVID-19 means to them and what they are grateful for in this exceptional situation. The recruitment was done by personal contact of the research team with potential participants. Results The co-researchers have formulated nine stories expressing their feelings of gratitude towards the healthcare system and their social environment. The question of a social stigmatization of persons with underlying diseases is critically reflected. The high-risk patients act in a health-competent way, consciously apply personal health resources, such as social contacts or health-promoting daily routines, to avoid negative consequences on their health and to increase their well-being. Discussion The co-researchers show a health-competent lifestyle and are able to influence their well-being in a positive way;however, there are indications that the long-term approach to vulnerable communities needs to be discussed, especially concerning discrimination processes and a needs-based health care.

University employees during the coronavirus pandemic Health and well-being of university employees with daycare- and elementary school-aged children

Background The coronavirus pandemic turns out to be a multidimensional stressor for the entire German population in 2020/2021. Studies indicate that these corona-related changes are also challenging for university employees with children. Parents were exposed to stress factors, which can be negatively associated with various psychological, social and physical aspects. Objectives Investigation of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on health and well-being of university employees with daycare- and primary school-aged children. Methods Using a standardized online questionnaire, university employees in Saxony and Baden-Wuerttemberg were contacted and asked about their living and working situation during the coronavirus pandemic as well as their subjective well-being and health. Results The respondents perceive the changes in the social situation, the deterioration of the balance between work and private life and the blurring of boundaries between work and private time as particularly stressful. The respondents in Saxony show significantly worse ratings than in Baden-Wuerttemberg for various stress factors in relation to the work situation. In both states, slightly more than half of the respondents marked categories that indicate a lack of well-being. Conclusions The coronavirus pandemic and its accompanying protective measures have had negative effects on the well-being of university employees with children of daycare and elementary school age. The extent to which these effects will become apparent in the longer term, for example, whether structural measures of remote work and online teaching in universities are made permanent, must be examined in the future.