ABSTRACT
Background: Anxiety persists following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has caused dysfunction. Objective(s): We compared the effect of the online Balint group and pharmacotherapy on COVID-19-induced anxiety in Iranian health-care workers (HCWs). Method(s): In the current clinical trial in the north of Iran in 2021, the participants were randomly assigned to two groups, including the Balint group (eight 60-minute online sessions) and the pharmacotherapy group (sertraline), following a phone screening pro-cedure by a psychiatrist. The groups filled out two questionnaires, namely the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and Corona Disease Anxiety Scale, at baseline and after the intervention (fourth week). Result(s): Forty-five HCWs were assessed. There was a significant difference in total anxiety score and also in sub-component in each group (P <= 0.001). No significant differences were observed regarding the effectiveness of both interventions in anxiety (P = 0.52);however, the pharmacotherapy interventions significantly affected the resilience and related subscales (P <= 0.05). The domain of spiritual influences significantly increased in the pharmacotherapy group (P = 0.031). Conclusion(s): Balint group and pharmacotherapy can improve COVID-19-induced anxiety and boost resilience in HCWs. Copyright © 2022, Author(s).
ABSTRACT
Background: This study was performed to examine the effect of Balint group work on anxiety related to the COVID-19 and resilience, among medical groups dealing with the coronavirus crisis. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study with a pre-test post -test design without control group, 31 health care workers by anxiety related to the COVID-19, were enrolled. Balint groups were held virtually via Skype. Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS) and Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC) were used at the beginning and the end of the intervention to collect data. Results: We found a significant difference between coronavirus anxiety scores (P<0.01, t=0.632), psychological symptoms (P<0.01, t=4.843), and physical symptoms (P<0.01, t=0.45). We found a significant difference between the resilience scores (P=0.01, t=0.426), the perception of individual competence (P<0.01, t=0.77), confidence in individual instincts/tolerance of negative emotion (P<0.01 and t=4.437), positive acceptance of change and secure relationships (P< 0.01 and t = 3-809), and control (P<0.01, t=3.581) before and after the intervention. Conclusion: Online Balint's group work can be considered effective in reducing anxiety symptoms and increasing the resilience of medical personnel, and it is recommended in different groups of medical staff who are exposed to stress and anxiety for a long time.
ABSTRACT
Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to public panic and psychological problems. In this regard, few studies have reported the post-discharge mental health status of COVID-19 survivors. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the mental health status of COVID-19 survivors and determine the risk factors of adverse psychological outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of 188 COVID-19 survivors discharged from hospital. Data were recorded using social media applications. To evaluate the mental health status, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Depressive Anxiety and Stress Scale 42 (DASS-42) were used. Ordinal regression with a logit link was used to assess the simultaneous effect of variables. Results: The mean age of participants was 56.4 ± 9.6 years, and the majority of patients were male (62.2%). According to HADS, 81 (43.1%) and 24 (12.8%) patients suffered from anxiety and depression, respectively. Using DASS-42, we reported at least a mild degree of depression [23 (12.2%)], anxiety [20 (10.6%)], and stress [74 (39.4%)] among the discharged patients. Depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly associated with length of hospital stay (P < 0.05). In addition, there was a direct association between stress and patients' number of children (β = 0.38, P = 0.02). Conclusions: Depression, anxiety, and stress are relatively high among COVID-19 survivors. Length of hospital stay and number of children were identified as the predisposing factors for adverse psychological outcomes.
ABSTRACT
Somatic symptoms are one of the most common complaints among patients with psychiatric disorders and are considered as one of the most common psychiatric disorders in the new coronavirus pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical symptoms in patients with mood disorders and compare it with healthy individuals. In this case-control study, 67 patients with mood disorders were referred to the psychiatric clinic of 5 Azar Hospital in Gorgan, who met the inclusion criteria, and 68 healthy individuals as control group were entered into the study. For all participants after informed consent, a demographic information questionnaire was completed along with Screening for Somatic Symptoms-7 (SOMS7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), and the data were analysed by SPSS software version 25. The mean score obtained for the SOMS-7 questionnaire for the group of patients with mood disorders and the control group was 32.37 ± 8.19 and 35.42 ± 11.3, respectively. The mean obtained for the PHQ-15 questionnaire for the mood disorders group and the control group was 8.56 ± 5.93 and 5.86 ± 4.63, respectively. In the mood disorder group, 26.9% of patients had no risk for physical symptoms, 31.3% of patients had a low risk, 25.4% of patients had a moderate risk, and 16.4% of patients had a high risk for physical symptoms. The statistical test showed that although the risk of physical symptoms was high in both groups, this rate was higher in the group with mood disorders, and there is a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The results also showed a significant and direct relationship between the two questionnaires (P < 0.05). According to the results, although the prevalence of somatic symptoms increased in both groups, the prevalence of somatic symptoms is significantly higher in the mood disorder group.