Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, perceived stress, and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms have been linked to suicidal behavior. However, little is known about the mechanisms involved in this association. This study examined ADHD symptoms and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of self-perceived stress in this association. Method: Data were analyzed from an online sample of 1,452 Japanese individuals aged 18 to 89 obtained in February 2021. Information was collected on past-year suicidal ideation. ADHD symptoms were assessed with the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener while stress was measured with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), while the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) was used to assess anxiety symptoms. Logistic regression was used to examine associations. Results: Fifty-one (3.5%) individuals had ADHD symptoms, while more than one in ten (11.7%) of the respondents reported past-year suicidal ideation. In an analysis adjusted for sociodemographic factors, ADHD symptoms were associated with eight times higher odds for past-year suicidal ideation. However, adjusting the analysis for mental health variables (anxiety and depressive symptoms) attenuated the association which became non-significant (odds ratio [OR]: 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92-4.18). In contrast, in an analysis adjusted for mental health, individuals with ADHD symptoms and stress had significantly higher odds for suicidal ideation (OR: 3.72, 95%CI: 1.43-9.67) whereas, ADHD symptoms without stress were not linked to suicidal ideation (OR: 1.25, 95%CI: 0.38-4.18). Conclusions: Self-perceived stress is important in the association between ADHD symptoms and suicidal ideation among individuals in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Detecting and managing stress and its effects in individuals with ADHD/ADHD symptoms should be a therapeutic focus for improving health-related outcomes in this population both during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Binge drinking in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic: Prevalence, correlates and association with preventive behaviors.

BACKGROUND: There is some evidence that alcohol use may have changed during the coronavirus pandemic. However, as yet, there has been comparatively little focus on heavy/excessive drinking. This study examined binge drinking (BD) in Japan during the coronavirus pandemic and its association with COVID-19 preventive behaviors. METHOD: Data were analyzed from an online sample of 1452 individuals aged 18 and above that were collected one year after the beginning of the pandemic. Self-reported information was obtained on current and pre-pandemic BD and a range of sociodemographic and health-related variables. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations. RESULTS: Just under one-third of the sample (29.3%) reported past-month BD. More individuals reduced rather than increased BD during the pandemic (11.5% > 6.5%). Worsening household finances and depressive symptoms were associated with both current and increased BD, while young age (18-29) was linked to both increased and decreased BD. Individuals who binged had significantly lower odds for engaging in several COVID-19 preventive behaviors including wearing a mask (odds ratio [OR]: 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30-0.76), hand washing (OR: 0.58, 95%CI: 0.44-0.76) and avoiding crowds/staying at home (OR: 0.72, 95%CI: 0.55-0.93). CONCLUSION: BD is prevalent in Japan during the coronavirus pandemic and associated with poorer adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Increasing public awareness of the potentially detrimental effects of heavy alcohol use during the ongoing pandemic is now a public health priority.

Loneliness in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic: Prevalence, correlates and association with mental health.

Loneliness, which is increasingly recognised as an important public health problem, may have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in the wake of social distancing measures. This study examined loneliness in Japan during the ongoing pandemic and its association with mental health. Cross-sectional online survey data that were collected at monthly intervals from April to December 2020 were analysed. Loneliness was assessed with the Three-Item Loneliness Scale. Information was also obtained on depressive (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) symptoms. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations. For the combined sample (N = 9000), 41.1% of the respondents were categorised as lonely when using ≥ 6 as a cutoff score, and 16.5% when the cutoff was ≥ 7. The prevalence of loneliness changed little across the period. Younger age, male sex and socioeconomic disadvantage (low income, deteriorating financial situation, unemployment) were associated with loneliness. In fully adjusted analyses, loneliness was linked to depressive (odds ratio [OR]: 5.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.08-6.57) and anxiety symptoms (OR: 5.34, 95% CI: 4.53-6.29). Loneliness is prevalent in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated with socioeconomic disadvantage and poorer mental health. A focus on loneliness as a public health issue in Japan is now warranted.

Loneliness and COVID-19 preventive behaviours among Japanese adults.

BACKGROUND: There is some evidence that loneliness may be linked to poorer health behaviours. Despite this, there has been little research to date on the relationship between loneliness and COVID-19 preventive behaviours. We studied these associations in a sample of the Japanese population. METHODS: Data were analysed from an online survey of 2000 adults undertaken in April and May 2020. Loneliness was assessed with the Three-Item Loneliness Scale. Information was also collected on 13 COVID-19 preventive behaviours. Regression analyses were used to examine associations. RESULTS: In linear regression models adjusted for demographic and mental health variables, both dichotomous and continuous loneliness measures were negatively associated with engaging in COVID-19 preventive behaviours. Logistic regression analyses further showed that loneliness was also associated with reduced odds for a variety of individual preventive behaviours including wearing a mask (odds ratio [OR]: 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62-0.95), disinfecting hands (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67-0.94) and social distancing when outdoors (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Loneliness is associated with lower engagement in COVID-19 preventive behaviours. Interventions to prevent or ameliorate loneliness during the ongoing pandemic may be important in combating the spread of the coronavirus.