Primary care behavioral health in the time of COVID-19

People are commonly receiving mental health treatment from primary care providers rather than from behavioral health providers. To address this issue, the healthcare system has begun to integrate behavioral health providers into primary care clinics, known as integrated primary care (IPC). Research suggests that IPC can lead to a number of benefits, including increased likelihood of patients receiving the appropriate standard of care, as well as reduction in healthcare costs due to medical cost offset. While IPC is a promising method of healthcare delivery, additional research is needed to optimize this system. Additionally, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically impacted the mental and physical health needs of the United States population, especially for low income and racial and ethnic minority populations. However, there is little research on how this has impacted the presenting problems seen in IPC, or how IPC utilization may have been impacted. This study will examine patient characteristics and IPC utilization of two clinics serving a low income and racial and ethnic minority population and assess how patient and provider characteristics are impacting the process of IPC. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The evolution of community peer support values: Reflections from three UK mental health project teams

Objective: To explore emergent values for community-based peer support in three projects and use of peer research methodology. Background: Peer support refers to the support people with shared lived experiences provide to each other. Its roots are in the civil rights movement, providing alternatives to clinical treatments. This method of support is delivered in different settings, with varying degrees of structure. In this paper, it includes shared experience of mental health issues. Methods: We reviewed interview data from two evaluations and one development project - mental health (n = 69), women-only (n = 40), and maternal mental health (n = 24), respectively. Each project used peer research methods. Peer support values from each project were compared, along with reflections from mostly peer researchers who worked on them (n = 11). Results: Six peer support values emerged and were found to be identifiable and applicable in different contexts. Decisions on facilitation and leadership varied across projects and generated some concerns over professionalisation, including non-peer leadership. Frameworks were viewed as broadly useful, but peer support is heterogenous, and peer researchers were concerned about over-rigid application of guidance. Discussion: We propose caution applying frameworks for peer support. Values must remain flexible and peer-led, evolving in new contexts such as COVID-19. Evaluators have a responsibility to consider any potentially negative consequences of their work and mitigate them. This means ensuring research outputs are useful to the peer support community, and knowledge production is based upon methodologies, such as peer research, that complement and are consistent with the values of peer support itself. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Health or wealth? The influence of perceived health and wealth threats and style of thinking on protective behaviours and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in spain (?Salud o riqueza? La influencia de las amenazas percibidas contra la salud y la riqueza y del estilo de pensamiento en las conductas de proteccion y el bienestar durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en Espana)

The present research explored the influence of thinking style and the perception of threats to health and wealth on protective actions and well-being within the framework of the first wave of COVID-19 in Spain. We expected that an (versus concrete) thinking style would be related to greater protective behaviours while maintaining a higher sense of well-being. Through an online questionnaire (N = 1,043), we explored these relationships and found that the most severe perceived threats to health and wealth and the highest degree of ion were associated with the greatest protective behaviours. Importantly, when people did not feel very threatened, those who thought ly reported more protective behaviours. Regarding well-being, when people perceived greater threats, those who had an thinking style reported greater well-being. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the present research provides support indicating that an thinking style is a protective factor against adversities because it is related to protective behaviours and increased well-being even when people perceive severe health and wealth threats. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Spanish) En este estudio se explora la influencia que ejercen el estilo de pensamiento y la percepcion de amenazas a la salud y a la riqueza en las conductas de proteccion y en el bienestar de las personas en el contexto de la primera ola de COVID-19 en Espana. Anticipabamos que un estilo de pensamiento o (frente a uno concreto) estaria relacionado con una mayor adopcion de comportamientos de proteccion y con una sensacion de bienestar mas alta. Exploramos estas relaciones mediante un cuestionario en linea (N = 1,043) y hallamos que una percepcion de mayor gravedad en las amenazas contra la salud y la riqueza y un nivel mas elevado de abstraccion estaban vinculados con mas conductas de proteccion. Un resultado relevante fue encontrar que, cuando los participantes no se sentian amenazados en exceso, quienes presentaban un pensamiento o mostraban comportamientos mas protectores. Por lo que se refiere al bienestar, cuando las personas percibian amenazas mas graves, quienes tenian un estilo de pensamiento o expresaban mayor nivel de bienestar. En el contexto de la pandemia de COVID-19, nuestra investigacion corrobora la idea de que el estilo de pensamiento o es un factor de proteccion frente a la adversidad, puesto que esta relacionado con conductas de proteccion y con un mayor nivel de bienestar percibido, incluso cuando las personas perciben amenazas graves a su salud y su riqueza. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Social representations about the COVID-19 pandemic of Chilean higher education students

The COVID 19 has caused multiple effects on the physical and mental health of the world's population. From the psychosocial perspective, this study proposes to understand the social representations about the COVID-19 pandemic of Chilean higher education students. The participants were a total of 92 Chilean higher education students. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire of social representations, which included the following stimulus words: (a) COVID-19, (b) quarantine, and (c) social distancing. The data were analyzed using natural semantic network analysis. The results showed that the thematic categories of the COVID-19 are mainly related to biological, emotional and value aspects. For quarantine and social distancing, thematic categories are related to emotional and value aspects. The results are discussed based on the understanding of the categories of thought that promote behavior in the context of a health emergency. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Abstract (Portuguese) O COVID-19 provocou multiplos efeitos na saude fisica e mental da populacao mundial. A partir de uma perspectiva psicossocial, este estudo se propoe a compreender as representacoes sociais sobre a pandemia do COVID-19 de estudantes chilenos do ensino superior. Os participantes foram um total de 92 estudantes. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de um questionario de representacoes sociais, que incluiu as seguintes palavras estimulo: (a) COVID-19, (b) quarentena, e (c) distanciamento social. Os dados foram analisados por meio de analise de rede semantica natural. Os resultados mostram que as categorias tematicas sobre o COVID-19 estao relacionadas principalmente com aspectos biologicos, emocionais e apreciativos. Para quarentena e distanciamento social, as categorias tematicas estao relacionadas a aspectos emocionais e apreciativos. Os resultados sao discutidos a partir da compreensao das categorias de pensamento que promovem o comportamento no contexto de uma emergencia sanitaria. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Abstract (Spanish) La COVID-19 ha provocado multiples efectos en la salud fisica y mental de la poblacion mundial. Desde la perspectiva psicosocial, este estudio propone comprender las representaciones sociales sobre la pandemia de la COVID-19 en estudiantes chilenos de educacion superior. Los participantes fueron un total de 92 estudiantes. La recoleccion de los datos se realizo mediante un cuestionario de representaciones sociales, que incluyo las siguientes palabras estimulos: (a) COVID-19, (b) cuarentena, y (c) distanciamiento social. Los datos fueron analizados mediante analisis de redes semanticas naturales. Los resultados muestran que las categorias tematicas sobre la COVID-19 se relacionan principalmente con aspectos biologicos, emocionales y valorativos. Para la cuarentena y el distanciamiento social, las categorias tematicas se relacionan con aspectos emocionales y valorativos. Se discuten los resultados en funcion de la comprension de las categorias de pensamiento que promueven el comportamiento en contexto de emergencia sanitaria. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Leadership strategies for obtaining employee involvement in a behavioral health organization

Maintaining a stable and engaged workforce is essential in providing quality treatment to individuals with behavioral health disorders. Soliciting and accepting input and feedback from workforce members is vital in ensuring that competent staff is available to this vulnerable population. Behavioral health leaders can facilitate this goal by cultivating environments that support employee involvement in organizational decision-making. This case study focused on identifying strategies for obtaining employee involvement by examining organizational culture and perceptions, with specific attention to existing opportunities for engaging the workforce in corporate decisions. Using the Baldridge Excellence Framework conceptually, data collection comprised five leadership interviews, organizational policies, quality reports, strategic planning documents, and external licensing and accreditation reports from a behavioral health organization operating in an urban city in the northeastern United States. Findings indicated that employee involvement was present and valued in the organization. However, health and safety measures implemented to reduce risks of COVID-19 exposure contributed to a perception of reduced employee involvement. Other findings suggested the presence of paternalistic leadership and a family orientation in the agency. Recommendations included implementing processes that support the organizational culture and employees' need for affiliation while protecting employee health and safety. Study findings contribute to positive social change by providing behavioral health leaders with strategies for maintaining a stable workforce that can provide quality treatment and care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

CCTC 2020: Addressing social responsiveness in health service psychology education and training

In 2020, the Council of Chairs of Training Councils (CCTC) collaborated to address the need for health service psychology (HSP) education and training to become more socially responsive, with an emphasis on providing resources and support for educators. This is essential given the increasing recognition of unmet health needs and the deleterious effects of mental health difficulties, racial and economic disparities, and burden on the psychology workforce. This article describes the coming together of the HSP education and training community to create the CCTC 2020: Social Responsiveness in Health Service Psychology Education and Training Toolkit. The shared decision-making leading to the development of the concept and conference, the shift in conference structure due to COVID-19, and the collaborative process of constructing the toolkit are described. Additionally, several principles that guided the work including a focus on relationships, embracing change, and the importance of self-awareness are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Public Significance Statement-This article highlights the need for a new model in health service psychology (HSP) education and training that centers social responsiveness and offers a detailed description of the recent working conference by the Council of Chairs of Training Councils that was designed to develop tools and new approaches to socially responsive training. The authors share how the structure, process, and components of the conference as well as the products developed reflect the type of transformational change that is needed in HSP training and education. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Social representations about the COVID-19 pandemic of Chilean higher education students

(Portuguese) O COVID-19 provocou multiplos efeitos na saude fisica e mental da populacao mundial. A partir de uma perspectiva psicossocial, este estudo se propoe a compreender as representacoes sociais sobre a pandemia do COVID-19 de estudantes chilenos do ensino superior. Os participantes foram um total de 92 estudantes. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de um questionario de representacoes sociais, que incluiu as seguintes palavras estimulo: (a) COVID-19, (b) quarentena, e (c) distanciamento social. Os dados foram analisados por meio de analise de rede semantica natural. Os resultados mostram que as categorias tematicas sobre o COVID-19 estao relacionadas principalmente com aspectos biologicos, emocionais e apreciativos. Para quarentena e distanciamento social, as categorias tematicas estao relacionadas a aspectos emocionais e apreciativos. Os resultados sao discutidos a partir da compreensao das categorias de pensamento que promovem o comportamento no contexto de uma emergencia sanitaria. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) (Spanish) La COVID-19 ha provocado multiples efectos en la salud fisica y mental de la poblacion mundial. Desde la perspectiva psicosocial, este estudio propone comprender las representaciones sociales sobre la pandemia de la COVID-19 en estudiantes chilenos de educacion superior. Los participantes fueron un total de 92 estudiantes. La recoleccion de los datos se realizo mediante un cuestionario de representaciones sociales, que incluyo las siguientes palabras estimulos: (a) COVID-19, (b) cuarentena, y (c) distanciamiento social. Los datos fueron analizados mediante analisis de redes semanticas naturales. Los resultados muestran que las categorias tematicas sobre la COVID-19 se relacionan principalmente con aspectos biologicos, emocionales y valorativos. Para la cuarentena y el distanciamiento social, las categorias tematicas se relacionan con aspectos emocionales y valorativos. Se discuten los resultados en funcion de la comprension de las categorias de pensamiento que promueven el comportamiento en contexto de emergencia sanitaria. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Health responses during the COVID-19 pandemic: An international strategy and experience analysis

Background: Sharing experiences and learning from health measures taken during the outbreak of epidemics is a critical issue that affects the right and timely decisions in health crises. In the present study, an attempt has been made to review the health policies adopted against COVID-19 and extract critical points for resolving the epidemic crisis. Materials and Methods: This article was a comparative study. The study population comprised Canada, Japan, Germany, Korea, Turkey, and Iran. Ten effective indicators in the management of epidemics were extracted by reviewing the literature and interviewing disaster management experts, and the degree of conformity of the research community with them was examined. The study data were collected from articles published in scientific databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus search engines) or information from COVID-19 disease management organizations from official sites. The obtained data were processed and analyzed by matrix content analysis. Results: The results showed the importance of 10 effective indicators in the management of epidemics during the outbreak of COVID-19 studied and noticed by the health system of most countries. And the government, local and private organizations have participated in the implementation of the studied indicators according to the conditions of each country's health system. Therefore, the success rate of countries in managing COVID-19 disease varies according to the time, type, and manner of implementation and monitoring of measures. Conclusion: Speed of action in adopting health policies and integration in its implementation, construction of convalescence, adequate training and access to personal protective equipment, prevention of nosocomial contamination, and voluntary assistance are essential issues in the fight against epidemics. These measures should be considered and used as teachings in managing health crises, especially emerging diseases and pandemics. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Understanding the biological basis of behavior: Developing evidence-based interventions for clinical, counseling and school psychologists

This book is an introduction to the biological basis of behavior, broadly defined, with practical applications for higher education programs that focus on advances in neuroscience. It has a special focus on training practitioners based on American Psychological Association (APA) health service psychology guidelines. It reviews and digests information for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists serving clients of all ages in a variety of settings, such as schools, hospitals, and clinics. Content for all developmental stages, including birth to geriatric practices are highlighted. This book will help health service psychologists and counselors to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population by providing cutting-edge, evidence-based, ecologically valid neuropsychological interventions currently lacking within the field. Cultural considerations are provided within each chapter, which is especially important given societal inequity that continues to persist within our world. Implications for the COVID-19 pandemic are also discussed in light of neuroscientific advances in medicine. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Assisted dying and Covid-19

This chapter looked at changes in issues connected with assisted dying. Where it is legal, the numbers of assisted deaths look to be down by 30 to 40% from April to June 2020 compared with the year 2019. There is no evidence that demand has fallen and, if anything, anecdotal evidence suggests that it has risen. Like other medical services, assisted dying, where it did happen, relied upon telemedicine and other methods employed by other medical services. More importantly, the COVID crisis has thrown into question many issues about whether the value of human lives can be compared or measured. COVID shines a spotlight on how we treat the elderly and vulnerable (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Guide to providing culturally competent behavioral health services via telehealth

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic thrust the United States into an unprecedented mental health crisis prompting the rapid emergence of telehealth as a critical platform for mental health service delivery. Government imposed safety precautions limiting face-to-face contact to control spread of infection contributed to isolation, fear of illness, death, job loss, and existing psychological distress. As remote service delivery continues to offer a viable alternative to traditional in-person care, the growing diversity of the U.S. population demands culturally competent mental health practices. Notably, multicultural and diversity issues and patient identity markers may not be as apparent through digital platforms as they would be in person. This article aims to provide culturally responsive recommendations for practitioners delivering telehealth services. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement As multicultural diversity in telehealth services has become an important professional and societal need, this guide provides detailed suggestions and guidance for practitioners on essential considerations in providing behavioral telehealth services to culturally diverse patient communities. No such manual existed in the current literature, so this project was undertaken to meet that need. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Physical and psychological impact of the phase one lockdown for COVID-19 on Italians

The exceptional pandemic due to the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has obliged all Italians to stay at home. In the literature, there are evidences that traumatic global events, such as natural catastrophes and pandemic, have negative effects on the physical and psychological health of the population. We carried out a survey to analyze the physical and psychological conditions of Italians during the pandemic. Due to the severe limitations in moving during the phase one lockdown, the survey was administered by internet. Results show that Italians followed the provisions established by the Italian government to avoid contamination, but 43% of them declared to have suffered from physical symptoms, in particular migraine, sleep disorders, persistent exhaustion, and difficulty of concentration. They have great fear to be contaminated or that relatives or friends can be contaminated, and they actively take actions to avoid contamination. Participants declared that they had suffered a lot of inconveniences due to restrictions in their movements, and that their life habits were strongly changed. They spent their time at home in different activities, but their psychological well-being was strongly impaired by the lockdown. The level of anxiety tripled, in relation to the prepandemic period, and 30% of males and 41% of females declared to have severe levels of depression. Participants with high levels of optimism and hopefulness show a stronger resilience against anxiety and depression. In addition, there is a negative correlation between anxiety and depression and the five factors of personality. These results show that psychological diseases must not be neglected, and that people in lockdown do need support for their psychological health, also with the help of internet and communication technologies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Facing social disparity and racial justice issues regarding Covid-19 and access to behavioral health care in the U.S

The Covid-19 pandemic exposed and amplified many problems in political and healthcare systems around the world, and the United States has been no exception. One such issue is racial injustice, including its impact as a social determinant of health and its manifestation in disparities in healthcare access-including behavioral healthcare. This paper examines this problem in detail and highlights the work of the Center for Practice Innovations. This intermediary organization provides training and implementation support to behavioral healthcare organizations across New York State. This work includes changes and awareness building related to racial injustice within its organization that will drive changes in training and supports provided to behavioral healthcare organizations across New York State. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) (Italian) La pandemia di Covid-19 ha portato alla luce e amplificato molti problemi nei sistemi politici e sanitari in tutto il mondo, e gli Stati Uniti non hanno fatto eccezione. Uno di questi problemi e l'ingiustizia razziale, compreso il suo impatto come determinante sociale della salute e la sua manifestazione nelle disparita di accesso all'assistenza sanitaria - compresi i servizi di salute comportamentale. Questo documento esamina il problema nel dettaglio e evidenzia il lavoro del Center for Practice Innovations. Questa organizzazione intermediaria fornisce formazione e supporto nell'implementazione alle organizzazioni di assistenza sanitaria comportamentale in tutto lo Stato di New York. Questo lavoro include i cambiamenti e il consolidamento della consapevolezza relativi all'ingiustizia razziale all'interno della sua organizzazione, che guideranno i cambiamenti nella formazione e nei supporti forniti alle organizzazioni e servizi di salute comportamentale in tutto lo Stato di New York. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Psychosocial aspects of pandemics: An historical perspective

It is largely recognized that the Covid-19 pandemic has a global impact on public mental health and on the psychosocial balance. The authors analyze critically a number of psychosocial factors (behaviors, beliefs, theories, social adjustment, etc.) related to pandemics, throughout history. They describe how social reactions to pandemics can be similar, over time and across cultures, and how strategies of social adjustment are based on the socio-cultural contexts. The authors argue that a historical analysis of pandemics and of their psychosocial factors could indicate political strategies and social interventions, and help promote social adjustment to the present-day global health and economic emergencies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) (Italian) E stato ampiamente riconosciuto che la pandemia di Covid-19 sta avendo un impatto sulla salute mentale pubblica e sull'equilibrio psicosociale a livello globale. Questo articolo fornisce un'analisi critica dei fattori psicosociali (ad esempio comportamenti, credenze, teorie, adattamento sociale, ecc.) legati alle pandemie nel corso della storia. Verra inoltre evidenziato come le reazioni sociali alle pandemie possano essere simili nel corso dei secoli e tra culture diverse e strategie di adattamento sociale possano basarsi sul contesto socio-culturale. Riteniamo che un'analisi storica dei fattori psicosociali legati alle pandemie nel corso dei secoli possa suggerire strategie politiche e interventi sociali per promuovere l'adeguamento sociale all'attuale emergenza sanitaria ed economica globale. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Appreciative inquiry of a non-profit organization transitioning to teletherapy

Mental health professionals have been required to make a transition to delivering services using technology during the COVID-19 pandemic. The non-profit agency participating in this study had already listed on its strategic plan the delivery of teletherapy. In 2020, due to the pandemic, the agency decided to expedite the delivery of teletherapy services. This study explored the experiences of the agency's team, to determine what worked well while making this transition, as well as future dreams regarding the delivery of teletherapy. Appreciative inquiry was used as the method of data collection. Findings indicated the agency's clinicians found keeping a positive attitude themselves, receiving support from clients, and equal funding for teletherapy as for in person services on the part of the funders, were key to making the initial transition (Discovery phase);that agency clinicians considered that sustained outreach to both publicize and educate about teletherapy to clients and other community agencies had already proved helpful and is in need of more expansion (Dream phase);and that long term, agency clinicians would like to keep using teletherapy even after the pandemic (Design phase), with improved technology and additional training about teletherapy for both clients and clinicians (Destiny phase). The findings of this study may provide a foundation for other agencies that are in the process of transitioning from in person to virtual services. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Reimaging a system of care to promote the well-being of children and families: Proceedings of a workshop

This book discusses a virtual workshop, organized by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Forum for Children's Well-Being (the Forum) and focused on building systems to support children and families in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The workshop speakers and organizers paid particular attention to how these systems can combat structural racism. Participants engaged in discussions about a broad range of existing tools and resources that could be used to further promote family well-being and health equity in the United States. To highlight the various experiences of youth and families during the pandemic, Forum staff interviewed several teens and parents. A compilation of their responses was shown at the start of the workshop, demonstrating real-life challenges many of them have encountered throughout the year, including instances of racism, mental health struggles, and juggling work and school responsibilities. The workshop is organized into five chapters. Following the introduction, which gives background on the Forum and context for the workshop, the book presents an overview of the need to address structural racism systemically that includes a description of the ways in which it manifests in society. It specifically focuses on the economic system and includes goals and suggestions for reimagining systems for the future. Similarly, it also explores behavioral and public health systems and potential solutions for moving toward an equitable system. Finally, the book highlights the key messages from the presentations and discussions throughout the workshop. This book presents a document that has been prepared by the workshop Rapporteur as a factual summary of what occurred at the workshop. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Relationship between transformational leadership and adult attachment in licensed behavioral health leaders

The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine if and to what extent there is a relationship between transformational leadership and the dimensions of adult attachment (i.e., Anxious and Avoidant) in U.S. licensed behavioral health leaders. The theoretical frameworks of transformational leadership and adult attachment addressed two research questions with corresponding hypotheses. A quantitative methodology and correlational design addressed the following research questions: (1) Is there a statistically significant relationship between transformational leadership and Anxious attachment in U.S. licensed behavioral health leaders? (2) Is there a statistically significant relationship between transformational leadership and Avoidant attachment in U.S. licensed behavioral health leaders? Qualtrics recruited 120 licensed behavioral health leaders to address the research questions. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ 5X-Short leader form) and Experiences in Close Relationship Scale-Short form (ECR-S), were used to address the research problem. Results of the Spearman's rank-order correlational analysis indicated a non-significant small, negative association between transformational leadership (M = 2.88, SD = .56, N = 120) and Anxious attachment (M = 2.47 SD = .81, N = 120), rho (119) = -.09, p = .317. and a significant small-to-moderate, negative association between transformational leadership (M = 2.88, SD = .56, N = 120) and Avoidant attachment style leadership (M = 3.89, SD = 1.16, N = 120), rho (119) = -.268, p = .003. The study findings suggest future research within transformational leadership and adult attachment domains, as well as replicating this study, post the COVID-19 pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Health service psychology doctoral training during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic: May 1st to June 25th, 2020

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) began its rapid spread around the world in December 2019. By March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. Stay-at-home orders and increases in U.S. infection rates had a profound impact on doctoral-level health service psychology (HSP) training beginning in the earliest stages of the pandemic. The present study examined the impact of COVID-19 on HSP students early in the pandemic using data from an online survey that was distributed to students from 179 doctoral programs affiliated with the Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology and distributed by the Council for Chairs of Training Councils to doctoral-level HSP PsyD and PhD programs between May 1st and June 25th, 2020. This study identifies areas of education and training negatively impacted by the pandemic in its first few months, including training and instrumental support, specific training and support in telehealth, safety protections and considerations, and emotional support. Implications of, and recommendations for, addressing the concerns raised by students in these areas are discussed. By implementing these recommendations, training programs can help facilitate HSP students' ability to meet continued training and professional development goals in the later stages of the pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement The present study provides information about the earliest impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on health service psychology doctoral students. Recommendations are provided to help programs address the student needs identified through participants' survey responses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

An analysis of the psychosocial challenges faced by the university students during COVID-19 pandemic, and the students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the disease

Introduction: The aims of the present study were 1) to identify the major psychosocial challenges faced by students of a university in Istanbul, during the initial period of the COVID-19 outbreak, 2) to assess how these interacted with their level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward COVID-19 and the related health measures in place. Methods: As part of an international research, a total of 2583 university students from Istanbul participated in an online survey, which included questions in several domains including their studies and daily life before and after the outbreak, their concerns and worries about the pandemic, their level of knowledge on COVID-19, their views on the policies implemented by the government and their institution, their attitude and practices toward the protective measures. Results: Majority of the students reported to suffer from financial adversities due to the outbreak. The closure of residential facilities and the cancellation of face-to-face lectures resulted in the vast majority of the students moving back to their family home. Their daily routines were largely replaced by individual home activities, and social interactions shifted almost totally to digital platforms. They also reported high levels of anxiety and worries concerning a wide range of the possible detrimental outcomes of COVID-19, which were in close association with their knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards the disease, as well as their adherence to the policy measures and their satisfaction with the policies of the government. Conclusion: These results may help policymakers in better understanding the psychosocial impacts of COVID-19 on the life of university students, and to develop more comprehensive strategies to address their multifaceted struggles, as well as to improve their compliance with the health measures in the future. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)