Prevalence of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and resilience in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in a post-armed conflict area in Colombia (preprint)

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of adolescents are emerging and require particular attention in settings where challenges like armed conflict, poverty and internal displacement have previously affected their mental wellbeing. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of mental health problems and symptoms of anxiety and depression, probable post-traumatic stress disorder, and resilience capacity in adolescents in a post-armed conflict area in Colombia during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 657 school attending adolescents aged 12 to 18 years old. Mental health information was obtained through screening scales for anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-8), probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PCL-5) and resilience capacity (CD-RISC-25). The prevalence observed for moderate to severe depression symptoms was 30.0% (CI95%=26.5–33.7) and for moderate to severe anxiety symptoms was 18.9% (CI95%=16.0-22.1). A prevalence of probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) of 22.3% (CI95%=18.1–27.2) was found. The CD-RISC-25 results for resilience had a median score of 54 [IQR:30]. Our results are in line with emerging evidence that suggests multiple domains of adolescents’ mental wellbeing were negatively impacted by the pandemic, and agree with other studies of regions affected by the armed conflict that show an increase in the prevalence of mental health disorders in young populations. In contrast, our data show lower resilience than other studies of adolescents. These findings call for multidisciplinary actions necessary to respond effectively to the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of adolescents, as well as to guarantee a successful educational recovery, being schools key places in which prompt intervention might reduce the burden of mental distress in adolescents.

Covid-19-related stressors and mental disorders and distress: A cross-sectional, nationally-representative, face-to-face survey in Serbia (preprint)

Aim. The Covid-19 pandemic may be associated with an increase in mental disorders and mental distress. However, there are no representative studies testing the impact of stressors directly related to Covid-19. We aimed to determine whether Covid-19 related stressors were associated with mental disorders and mental distress in the second year of the pandemic.Method. This cross-sectional observational epidemiological survey was conducted from June to October 2021. We interviewed a representative sample of the adult population in Serbia (18-65 years) in the second year of the pandemic, at a time when large parts of the population had been affected by the pandemic in different ways. Multistage probabilistic household sampling of the adult population in 60 municipalities was used. Mental disorders were assessed by in-person interviews using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and depression and anxiety symptoms were self-rated on the PHQ-9 and GAD-7. Covid-19 related stressors i.e., infection, self-isolation, infection of a close relative, and lack of protective equipment at work, as well as stressors during the pandemic that were not directly Covid-19 related were measured. Associations of potential predictor variables with mental disorders and mental distress were explored through univariable and multivariable regression analyses.Results. In total, 1023 individuals (mean age 43.7±13.6 years, 48.7% male) were interviewed. Most respondents (67.8%) of the sample had already experienced Covid-19 related stressors (20.1% had Covid-19 infection; 43.2% had a close relative member who had Covid-19; 28.1% had to work without appropriate protection; 27.5% had been in quarantine themselves) and about 50% had already been vaccinated. The prevalence of any mental disorder was 15.2% (95% CI 13.2–17.2): mood disorders 4.6%, anxiety disorders 4.3% and substance use disorders 8.0%. Mean levels of distress were: PHQ-9=3.2±3.8; GAD-7=2.1±3.1. A lack of protective equipment was associated with higher levels of any disorder, anxiety disorders, and anxiety symptoms. No other Covid-19 related stressor predicted mental disorders or mental distress.Conclusions. In this study, lack of personal protective equipment for Covid-19 when it would have been appropriate was associated with higher levels of anxiety and a greater frequency of anxiety disorders. Provision of the appropriate equipment at workplaces is likely to prevent lasting increased levels of anxiety. There is no evidence that the prevalence of mental disorders in the second year was elevated.

Role of the Arts in the Life and Mental Health of Young People That Participate in Artistic Groups in Colombia: a Qualitative Study (preprint)

Background: Young adults and adolescents are in stage where their mental health is more vulnerable. In Latin América, there are factors that predispose young people towards an increased risk of suffering from mental illness. However more than half of the young people who manifest symptoms of depression and anxiety are able to overcome these episodes approximately one year after the onset of symptoms. This is related to the concept of resilience. Methods: : The main objective of the study was to characterize the role of the arts in relation to mental health in young people involved in artistic organizations in Bogota. Six artistic workshops and focus groups were conducted, with 38 participants from two arts organizations in Bogota. The type of artistic workshop varied depending on the type of art taught in each institution. The focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed, coded and analyzed using an inductive analysis methodology. Results: : There were five themes that emerged in explaining the role of the arts in relation to the mental health of young people. These themes included i) the management and expression of emotions, ii) the transformation of emotions, iii) the distracting quality of the arts, iv) the arts as a social facilitator and v) the arts as part of the identity and lifestyle of young people. Conclusions: : For young people who participate in artistic activities, the arts are a tool for managing emotions perceived as negative, such as stress, anxiety, depression and sadness. Their perception of the arts as a tool for mental health was viewed differently depending on whether it is perceived as a professional vocation versus a hobby. These findings are relevant within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account that the participants were exposed to various mental health risk factors, such as an extended obligatory quarantine and social distancing.

A potential impact of physical distancing on physical and mental health. A rapid narrative umbrella review of meta-analyses on the link between social isolation and health (preprint)

BackgroundThe imperative for physical distancing during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may deteriorate physical and mental health. We aimed at summarizing the strength of evidence in the published literature on the association of social isolation and loneliness with physical and mental health. MethodsWe conducted a systematic search in April 2020 to identify meta-analyses using the Medline, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases. The search strategy included terms of social isolation, loneliness, living alone, and meta-analysis. Eligible meta-analyses needed to report any sort of association between an indicator of social isolation and any physical or mental health outcome. The findings were summarized in a narrative synthesis. ResultsTwenty-five meta-analyses met our criteria, of which 10 focused on physical health and 15 on mental health outcomes. A total of more than 3 million individuals had participated in the 692 primary studies. The results suggest that social isolation is associated with chronic physical symptoms, frailty, coronary heart disease, malnutrition, hospital readmission, reduced vaccine uptake, early mortality, depression, social anxiety, psychosis, cognitive impairment in later life, and suicidal ideation. ConclusionsThe existing evidence clearly indicates that social isolation is associated with a range of poor physical and mental health outcomes. A potential negative impact on these outcomes needs to be considered in future decisions on physical distancing measures. Strengths and limitations of this studyO_LIThis rapid umbrella review focuses on a timely and societally relevant issue. C_LIO_LIThe systematic literature search was conducted in three major databases from inception up to April 2020 warranting an extensive and up-to-date overview on relevant meta-analyses in the field. C_LIO_LIQuality of included meta-analyses was rated with a standardized measure. C_LIO_LIDifferent indicators of social isolation were included. C_LIO_LIThe utilized method did not allow for a quantitative comparison of associations with health outcomes. C_LI