External and service factors influencing outcomes in a model of stratified mental health services for Young People

Background: Stratified care aims at matching the intensity and setting of mental health interventions to the needs of help-seeking Young People. In Australia, a 5-tiered system of mental health services is in operation. To aid patient triage to the most appropriate tier, a Decision Support Tool (DST) has been developed and is being rolled out nationally Methods: We analysed outcome data pre-and post-enrolment of about 1500 Young People (aged 16-25) referred to a Youth Mental Health Service delivering medium- and high intensity psychological treatment programs (tiers 3 and 4). We compared outcomes in both tiers during three 12-month periods: (a) in the inaugural phase of tier 4, prior to service saturation and stringent triaging, and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (2019);(b) during the COVID-19 pandemic when all services were delivered remotely over phone- and video facilities, and when DST triaging was introduced (2020);(c) following return of face-to-face consultations, in a situation of service saturation and stringent DST triaging (2021) Findings: About 22% of Young People in the tier 3 program experienced reliable improvement according to their Kessler-10 (K-10) scale ratings, regardless of changing circumstances. In contrast, 40% of people in the tier 4 program reliably improved during the inaugural phase When circumstances and service delivery changed (COVID-19 restrictions service saturation, DST triaging), the rate of reliable improvement halved to about 20% Conclusion(s): Access to higher intensity psychological programs improves treatment outcomes for help-seeking Young People. However high-intensity services are more sensitive to external and service factors than less intense treatment models.

Comparing psychological distress in Australians before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: To determine if psychological distress has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify predictors of distress. Method: Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) scores from nationally representative Australian samples before (n = 955) and during (n = 1173) the pandemic were compared. The pandemic sample also completed additional COVID-19 attitudinal scales. Results: The pandemic sample reported significantly higher distress than the pre-pandemic sample, especially among Melbourne residents, women, and younger and older Australians. Stress attributed to COVID-19, feeling the pandemic management is out of control, and an unwillingness to vaccinate were also predictive of psychological distress. Conclusions: Women, youth, and Melbourne residents were most vulnerable to the negative effects of COVID-19 on wellbeing, while feelings related to a loss of control, stress about the virus, and vaccine hesitancy may have also contributed to psychological distress. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Factors affecting compliance to quarantine and its psychological effects during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study from aspirational district of India

Background: COVID-19 has caused pandemic during 2019-2020 and has presented with illnesses ranging from the usual mild flu to serious respiratory problems/complications, even leading to considerable mortality. Recent literatures have suggested that the health (especially psychological) impacts of quarantine are substantial and can be long lasting. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the mental health status (psychological distress) of experienced quarantine and compliance to quarantine during the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nuh district. Methods: The study included 543 subjects (adults aged 18 years or more) who were sent for quarantine at home or state-run facilities and included "Flu corner " screened patient and health-care staff working in COVID-19 outpatient and wards. The psychological impact was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Categorical data were presented as percentages (%), and bivariable logistic regression was applied to find out the association, and it was considered significant if the P < 0.05. Results: The doctors and nursing staff were among two-fifth of the subjects (217/543, 40.1%), and only 11.6% of quarantined subjects (63/543) were compliant with all protective measures. The mean score obtained on Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) subjects was 18.69 +/- 4.88, whereas out of 543 subjects, 152 (27.9%) had a score of 20 or more, and it has a significant association with the elderly age group, female gender, and workplace as exposure setting (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Given the developing situation with coronavirus pandemic, policymakers urgently need evidence synthesis to produce guidance for the public. Thus, the outcomes of this study will positively help authorities, administrators, and policymakers to apply quarantine measures in a better way.

The impact of Digitalized Communication on the effectiveness of Local Administrative Authorities – Findings from Central European Countries in the COVID-19 Crisis

This paper analyses the impact of the use of digital communication tools in administrative procedures on the effectiveness of local administrative authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic. It considers COVID-19-driven changes in the legal competence of the institutional unit and administrative authorities' orientation to good governance as mediators of this relationship. By applying partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to survey data (N = 610) from five central European countries, we show that the accelerated use of digitalized communication tools driven by the COVID-19 situation has a positive effect on the effectiveness of local administrative authorities. Our data also indicate that the new laws, instructions and good governance driven by the COVID-19 situation – based on mostly convergent administrative traditions and European trends – partially mediate the relationship between the use of digital communication tools and administrative effectiveness. These findings do not significantly differ between participating countries and bureaucratic traditions. Consequently, the COVID-19 crisis proved to be a joint facilitator of responsive public governance that remained compliant with the rule of law, regardless of whether the national administrative systems were traditionally more legalistically or managerially oriented.

Psychological Distress among Healthcare Workers with Chronic Diseases during the COVID-19 Crisis

Background. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are a vulnerable group to psychological distress (PD) because they are subjected to strict working conditions, and the nature of the work implies a heavy level of emotional involvement. Objective. This study is aimed at determining psychological distress among healthcare workers with chronic diseases during the COVID-19 crisis. Methods. This was a quantitative cross-sectional correlation study. An online self-administered questionnaire was completed from July 2021 to October 2021 by a convenience sample of 302 HCWs at two primary healthcare centers in Saudi Arabia. The Kessler psychological distress scale was used to assess psychological distress among HCWs. Results. The prevalence of HCWs who contracted COVID-19 was 59.9%. The overall mean score of K10 was 4.38 (SD=0.706). The majority of HCWs that had the highest percentage of a very high level of distress were female (66.2%), between the ages of 30 and 40 years (35.1%), had more than 10 years of work experience (48.0%), and were nurses (49.7%), married (61.6%), and infected with COVID-19 (59.9%). There was a significant association between the age, working experience, and PD scores of the HCWs P value < 0.05. A significant correlation between each of the variables of (heart disease, high blood pressure, lung disease, diabetes, ulcer, anemia, depression, and back pain) and PD whereas the P value < 0.05 and the R value < 0.3. Conclusion. HCWs with associated comorbidities have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a very high level of PD among the studied population. HCWs with hypertension and back pain were the most affected by psychological distress, and emotional distress could be exacerbated if the HCWs contracted COVID-19.

Orthodontic emergencies and mental health of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment during COVID-19 pandemic: A questionnaire study.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on orthodontic treatment and mental health of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment and to compare their mental health with the age-matched control group. Materials and methods: 484 orthodontic patients (245 males and 239 females) and 200 age-matched control subjects were divided into two age groups. Group 1 had 14-18 years of adolescents (N = 274) and 100 control participants (Group 2) and Group 3 comprised of 19 years above adults (N = 210) and 100 control participants (Group 4). Group 1 and 3 patients filled the 4 sections of the questionnaire related to orthodontic emergencies (Sections 1-3) and mental distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-Section 4), while groups 2 and 4 were asked to fill only Section-4. The comparison of mental distress on high/low Kessler scores was made using the Chi-Square test/Fisher's exact test. The factors which came out to be significant were put to bivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The percentage of patients with high Kessler scores among Group 1 and Group 3 were 9.9% and 17.2% respectively, and their differences with age-matched control groups were non-significant. The mean differences of Kessler score were significantly higher for Group 3 compared to group 1. The higher Kessler score was associated with age, higher education, a feeling of concern for non-availability of appointments, increased treatment duration, its effect on the quality of treatment, and sabotaging of definitive future plans. Conclusions: The orthodontic treatment and emergencies may not be a significant factor contributing to increased stress among patients during the lockdown.

Psychological Health in Intensive Care Unit Health Care Workers after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Although the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the general population, health care workers (HCWs) constituted one of the groups that were most adversely affected by the associated risks, owing to the significant consequences on their mental health. This study examined these psychological effects on HCWs who cared for COVID-19 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit in an Italian hospital. METHODS: Subjects were administered several self-reported questionnaires: Kessler 10 Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS), Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R), and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), as well as two open-ended questions oriented toward understanding their positive and negative emotional experience and differentiating between two phases of the emergency. RESULTS: Overall, 45% of HCWs showed medium-to-high anxiety/depressive symptoms, whereas 60% presented with medium-to-high levels of perceived stress. In addition, 37% of subjects developed symptoms of PTSD and 50% showed post-traumatic growth in the "appreciation of life" and "new possibilities" dimensions. With regard to the open-ended questions, three themes were identified: quality of workplace relationships, sense of emotional-relational competence, and sense of clinical-technical competence. In addition, two macrocategories of responses were identified in the answers: growth and block. CONCLUSIONS: The mental health of HCWs who are involved in the front line of COVID-19 was significantly impacted by this experience, showing high levels of post-traumatic stress and anxiety and depressive symptoms more than 1 year after the emergency began. A qualitative analysis of staff experiences can be a useful guide for structuring interventions and prevention.

Psychological health in COVID-19 patients after discharge from an intensive care unit.

Along with physical changes, psychological changes are detectable in patients with COVID-19. In these patients, the stressful experience of intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization may aggravate psychological conditions. Our study examines the short- and long-term psychological consequences of COVID-19 in ICU patients. COVID-19 patients completed the self-rating questionnaires Kessler 10 Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS), Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R), and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and were clinically interviewed 1 and 6 months after discharge. Altered behavioral-psychological symptoms and patients' strategies (adaptive vs. maladaptive) for coping with stress during and after hospitalization were coded during clinical interviews. Between 20 and 30% of patients showed moderate symptoms of depression or anxiety and perceived stress 1 and 6 months after discharge. Sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, confusion in placing events, and fear of reinfection were observed in many (6-17%) patients. At 6 months, only 7% of patients showed PTSD symptoms, and 50% showed post-traumatic growth in the "appreciation of life" sub-scale. Finally, 32% of subjects were classified as "maladaptive coping patients," and 68% as "adaptive coping patients." Patients who adopted "adaptive" coping strategies showed significantly lower levels of anxious-depressive symptoms and perceived stress when compared to subjects with "maladaptive" strategies at both time points. Coping strategy had no effect on PTSD symptoms or post-traumatic growth at 6 months. These findings clarify the short- and long-term psychological effects of intensive care due to COVID-19 infection and demonstrate that patient characteristics, particularly strategies for coping with stress, seem to play a critical role in psychological outcomes.

Alcohol Use and misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic

GPs can play a pivotal role in the identification and management of alcohol problems at any time, and their role is even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic as more and more patients are resorting to alcohol to manage the stress and anxiety created by the pandemic. © 2021 Medicine Today Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

Translation and reliability of the caregiver quality of life index-cancer (CQOLC) Scale in Hindi and it's association with the Kessler psychological distress scale (K10) for cancer caregivers at a tertiary radiotherapy centre in India.

BACKGROUND: With increasing incidence of cancer worldwide and increasing burden of treatment over the patients with cancer, the caregivers of those patients with cancer also suffer from psychological distress which ultimately affects their Quality of Life (QOL). This aspect is often overlooked which may ultimately lead to compromised patient care. PURPOSE: To translate the Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC) Scale in Hindi and assess its association with Kesslers's psychological distress scale (K-10) for determining the quality of life (QoL) of caregivers of patients with cancer in India. METHODS: This is a single institute, hospital based cross sectional study performed from July 2020 to March 2021. Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC) Scale, employing standard 'forward-backforward' translation procedure, the English-language version of the questionnaire was translated into Hindi-language by experts and administered to each caregiver. Cronbach's alpha was used for internal consistency. Kesslers's psychological distress scale (K-10) was analysed on interview basis. RESULTS: A total evaluated responders were 264. The hindi versions of the CQOLC was validated by cronbach's alpha method with internal consistency between 0.8 and 0.91. The majority of the caregivers were of the age group 31-40 yrs (42.05%). The male to female ratio was 6.54:1. CQOLC good score(0-45) was obtained in 27.27%, fair(46-90) in 55.30% and poor(91-140) in 17.42%. For K-10 distress scale very mild(10-19), mild(20-24), moderate(25-29) and severe(30-50) was observed in 47.73%, 11.74%, 11.74% and 28.79% respectively. A strong relation was found between the caregivers with poor CQOLC score and severe K-10 score(p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The Hindi version of CQOLC was accepted and its correlation with the point psychological distress predictor (K-10) scale was a valuable method to identify caregivers with poor QOL and severe distress levels.

Frequency, Persistence, and Patient-reported Outcomes of Neurological Symptomsin Mild COVID-19: Resultsfrom the ALBERTA HOPE COVID-19 Trial

Objective: To examine the natural history of neurological symptoms in mild COVID-19. Background: Various neurological manifestations have been reported with COVID-19, mostly in retrospective studies of hospitalized patients. There are few data on patients with mild COVID19. Design/Methods: Consenting participants in the ALBERTA HOPE COVID-19 trial( NCT04329611, hydroxychloroquine vs placebo for 5-days), managed as outpatients, were prospectively assessed 3-months and 1-year after their positive test. They completed detailed neurological symptom questionnaires, Telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment(T-MoCA), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale(K10), and the EQ-5D-3L(quality-of-life). Informants completed the Mild Behavioural Impairment Checklist(MBI-C) and Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline(IQCODE). We tracked healthcare utilization and neurological investigations using medical records. Results: Among 198 patients (median age:45, IQR:37-54, 43.9% female);28(14.1%) had preexisting neurological/psychiatric disorders. Among 179 patients with symptom assessments, 139(77.7%) reported ≥1 neurological symptom, the most common being anosmia/dysgeusia(56.3%), myalgia(42.6%), and headache(41.8%). Symptoms generally began within 1-week of illness(median:6-days, IQR:4-8). Most resolved after 3-months;40 patients(22.3%) reported persistent symptoms at 1-year, with 27(15.1%) reporting no improvement. Persistent symptoms included confusion(50%), headache(52.5%), insomnia(40%), and depression(35%). Body mass index, prior neurologic/psychiatric history, asthma, and lack of full-time employment were associated with presence and persistence of neurological symptoms;only female sex was independently associated on multivariable logistic regression(aOR:5.04, 95%CI:1.58-16.1). Patients with persistent symptoms had more hospitalizations and family physician visits, worse MBI-C scores, and were less often independent for instrumental daily activities at 1-year(77.8% vs 98.2%, p=0.005). Patients with any or persistent neurological symptoms had greater psychological distress defined as K10≥20(aOR:21.0, 95%CI:1.96-225) and worse quality-of-life ratings(mean EQ-5D VAS:67.0 vs 82.8, p=0.0002). 50.0% of patients had T-MoCA<18 at 3-months versus 42.9% at 1-year;patients reporting memory complaints were more likely to have informant-reported cognitive-behavioural decline (aOR[1-year IQCODE>3.3]:12.7, 95%CI:1.08-150). Conclusions: Neurological symptoms were commonly reported in survivors of mild COVID-19 and persisted in one in five patients 1-year later. These symptoms were associated with worse patient-reported outcomes.

Psychological Distress and Anxiety among Physiotherapists Practicing in ICU

Background: Fever, myalgia or fatigue, pneumonia, and complicated dyspnea are all signs of COVID-19. Chest physiotherapy can be utilized in these situations to minimize the time of stay on a mechanical ventilator and in the ICU, as well as to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia. Aim: To determine the psychological distress and anxiety among physiotherapists in intensive care unit while performing chest physiotherapy in covid-19 patients. Methods: 176 physiotherapists were enrolled in this study, Data collected by purposive sampling technique through an online survey from physiotherapist in Lahore. The Scoring GAD-7 Anxiety Severity and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale(K10) were used. Data entered to SPSS for further statistical analysis. Results: Among 176 participants, 143(81.25%) were males and 33 (18.75%) were females.meanagewas35.11±3.752years. Psychological Distress, moderate disorder was among 26(14.6%), server disorder was among 150(85.2%). Anxiety was mild among 9(5.1%) moderate 43(24.4%) and severe 124(70.5%). P value was<0.05. Conclusion: Psychological distress and anxiety were present among physiotherapists in ICU while performing chest physiotherapy in covid-19 patients. Covid-19 affects their mental health. Most of the Physiotherapists were feeling severe anxiety and have a severe psychological Distress.

MEDICAL STUDENTS WORKING AS ASSISTANTS IN MEDICINE DURING COVID-19 IN AUSTRALIA: HAS THAT IMPROVED THEIR RESILIENCE AND MENTAL TOUGHNESS?

Background: A surge in COVID-19 cases has required health systems around the world to prepare for an urgent call to enhance workforce systems by upskilling senior medical students to assist (Miller et al., 2020;Rasmussen et al., 2020). Objectives: In a regional medical school in NSW, students entering the final 6 months of study were able to apply for an Assistant in Medicine (AiM) role with the state government. This small case study reports (1) the interest of medical students in undertaking an AiM role;(2) psychological distress, resilience and mental toughness in the cohort;and (3) the perceived impact on professional development. Methods: Students were invited to complete a pre- and post-questionnaire containing demographic questions;questions about professional development;Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) score;resilience, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) score;and the Mental Toughness Questionnaire (MTQ-48) score. Nineteen students completed the pre-questionnaire, and four students completed the post-questionnaire. Findings: Most respondents were interested in the AiM role (95%), of whom 88% received an offer, of which 87.5% accepted. Those who received an offer were the most psychologically well with lower K10 scores than their peers. Those who declined the AiM offer had the highest CD-RISC scores. The MTQ-48 scores across both groups were comparable. Respondents who completed the AiM reported that completing the role was very important to their professional development. Conclusion: The opportunity to undertake such a role during a pandemic benefits students and potentially patients and the healthcare system (Gill et al., 2020;Miller et al., 2020;Rasmussen et al., 2020), as opposed to the alternative of cancelling hospital-based rotations to the detriment of students progressing and graduating muchneeded doctors (Gill et al., 2020). .

The Prevalence of Psychological Distress and Its Relationship to Sleep Quality in Saudi Arabia's General Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated mitigation measures on sleep quality and psychological distress in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Subjective sleep quality over the preceding 30 days was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In addition, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was used to assess the psychological distress. RESULTS: The study included 836 participants. The median age was 28 years, 624 (74.64%) were females, and 158 (18.90%) were healthcare workers. Factors associated with poor sleep were recent changes in the sleep habits p = 0.004), anxiety or fear because of coronavirus news on social media p = 0.02), fear because there was no approved drug to treat COVID-19 p = 0.03), and unaware of the presence of chronic diseases p = 0.03). Female gender p = 0.02), fear or anxiety because of coronavirus news on social media p = 0.04), recent change in sleep habits (OR: 1.97 (1.15-3.39); p = 0.01), fear because there is no approved drug to treat COVID-19 p = 0.001), monthly income <1000 SR p = 0.01), and isolation p = 0.01) were associated with distress. PSQI and K10 scores were significantly correlated p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Poor sleep and psychological distress are common during the COVID-19 outbreak in Saudi Arabia. Identifying factors associated with poor sleep and psychological distress would help develop specific intervention programs that enhance mental health and sleep quality during pandemics.

Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for psychological distress in older adults without cognitive impairment living in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic: A feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on the mental health of older adults living in nursing homes. Very few studies have examined the effects of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) on older adults living in nursing homes during the pandemic. We conducted a feasibility study using a single-group design, to explore the effectiveness of ICBT on psychological distress in 137 older adults (without cognitive impairment) from 8 nursing homes in 4 southeast cities in China, between January and March 2020. METHODS: Symptoms of depression, anxiety, general psychological distress, and functional disability were measured at baseline, post-treatment (5 weeks) and at a 1-month follow-up. Mixed-effects model was used to assess the effects of ICBT. RESULTS: Statistically significant changes with large effect sizes were observed from pre- to post-treatment on the PHQ-9 (p < .001, Cohen's d = 1.74), GAD-7 (p < .001, d = 1.71), GDS (p < .001, d = 1.30), K-10 (p < .001, d = 1.93), and SDS (p < .001, d = 2.03). Furthermore, improvements in treatment outcomes were sustained at 1-month follow-up, and high levels of adherence and satisfaction were indicated. CONCLUSION: ICBT was effective in reducing psychological distress in older adults without cognitive impairments living in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, it could be applied in improving the mental health of this vulnerable group during the pandemic.

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Frontline Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia.

This study assesses the determinants and severity of psychological distress among frontline Ministry of Health workers within Saudi Arabia during the rapid acceleration phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. Moreover, we assess distress sustainability and stress-coping behaviors. We conducted an online national cross-sectional survey. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (k10) is a highly reliable instrument used to assess depression and anxiety. We evaluated stress-coping behavior and the persistence of the disorders. Binary logistic regression identified the sociodemographic factors related to severe distress. The prevalence of severe psychological distress among COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) was 27.3%. Factors associated with severe psychological distress in multiple regression analyses were male gender (p < 0.001), working for >45 hours/week (p = 0.009), age of >40 years (p = 0.038), years of experience for more than seven years (p = 0.048), Asir region (p = 0.003), and using psychological services (p < 0.001). The prevalence of severe psychological distress was 27.3%. Factors associated with severe psychological distress in multiple regression analyses were male gender, working >45 hours/week, age, years of experience, region, and using psychological services. The results form a foundation for targeted psychological health support services at the individual and institutional levels to prevent progression to mental illness.

Are individuals with orofacial pain more prone to psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic?

BACKGROUND: It is of utmost importance to identify and treat groups susceptible to psychological problems during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the psychological status between the general population and subjects with orofacial pain (OFP) during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 509 young adults were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, using the convenient sampling approach. They were assigned to 2 study groups: group 1 - individuals with OFP; and group 2 - the general population. Their background variables, knowledge, perception, attitude, concerns, and Kessler scale scores were recorded through an online questionnaire. Student's t test, the χ2 test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Some of the background variables were significantly different between the study groups (p < 0.05). The knowledge, perception and attitude scores of the respondents were not significantly different between the study groups (p > 0.05). Females exhibited significantly higher adjusted Kessler scores as compared to males (p < 0.05). Group 1 exhibited the highest adjusted Kessler scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with OFP exhibited higher psychological distress, depressive symptoms and anxiety during the rapid rise of the COVID-19 outbreak, representing a moderate psychological disorder. Females suffered more from psychological distress as compared to males. Therefore, psychological interventions should be focused on this group.

Relationship between knowledge on COVID-19 and psychological distress among students living in quarantine: an email survey.

Psychological distress is a generic term which refers to "feeling of emotional strain" that affects our normal mental and physical functioning. The aim of this study is to investigate the psychological distress perceived by the Pakistani students living in quarantine and to determine risk and protective factors, including knowledge of COVD-19, among this population. It is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from February to May 2020. Students enrolled at different colleges and universities of Pakistan participated in this survey. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) is computed for comparing knowledge scores of participants having different levels of psychological distress. A total of 937 participants completed the survey questionnaire, with slightly more male respondents (60.6%) than female (39.4%). The average age of survey participants is 22.0 years (SD = 3.01), with majority (76.2%) belonging to urban areas. The mean COVID-19 knowledge score is 8.91 (SD = 1.69, range: 1-12), suggesting an overall 74.25% precision rate for this knowledge test for individual participant. The participants scored least knowledge regarding the disease transmission, showing a percentage correctness of only 40%. Majority of the participants (57.3%) are likely to be well, while others (42.7%) have shown symptoms of mental distress. The analysis reveals that participants with moderate mental distress (M = 8.81, SD = 2.37) and those with severe mental distress (M = 8.75, SD = 2.69) scored lower than participants who were likely to be well (M = 9.49, SD = 1.71). Our study concludes that a higher knowledge base regarding the disease will help to mitigate distress levels. Our study suggests that in order to deal with this pandemic effectively, the knowledge regarding COVID-19 should be properly conveyed to general public. It is need of the hour to address mental issues of the population aggressively along with providing awareness about COVID-19.

Reliability of the tools used to examine psychological distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping amongst migrants and non-migrants in Australia.

Study tools examining psychological distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping amongst migrants and non-migrants in Australia are very limited. The aim of this research was to assess the psychometric properties and correlation of the English version of Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCSV-19S), and Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) tools during the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Australia. Data from a cross-sectional survey (n = 516) were utilized to examine reliability; 299 (57.9%) were migrants. High internal consistency, as evidenced by Cronbach's alpha, was found for the K-10 (0.92), FCV-19S (0.87) and BRCS (0.66) tools. The corresponding values for migrants and non-migrants were (0.92, 0.87, 0.67) and (0.92, 0.86, 0.63), respectively. Item-total correlations ranged 0.57-0.78 for K-10, 0.62-0.69 for FCV-19S, and 0.39-0.50 for BRCS tools. EFA retained a single factor for each tool with adequate factor loadings. The scoring of K-10 was significantly predicted by the scoring of FCV-19S (r = 0.284, P < 0.001) and BRCS tool (r = 0.132, P < 0.01). Therefore, these tools can be used reliably amongst both migrant and non-migrant population in Australia.

The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Well-Being and Psychological Distress: Impact Upon a Single Country.

The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have affected the psychological well-being and mental health of many people. Data on prevalence rates of mental health problems are needed for mental health service planning. Psychological well-being and prevalence of clinically significant mental distress were measured in a large sample from Wales 11-16 weeks into lockdown and compared to population-based data collected in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected using an online survey disseminated across Wales and open to adults (age 16+) from 9th June to 13th July 2020. Psychological well-being was indexed via the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, and psychological distress was indexed via the K10. Data from 12,989 people who took part in this study were compared to that from April 2018 - March 2019, gathered by the National Survey for Wales (N = 11,922). Well-being showed a large decrease from 2019 levels. Clinically significant psychological distress was found in around 50% of the population (men = 47.4%, women = 58.6%), with around 20% showing "severe" effects (men = 17.0%, women = 20.9%): a 3-4-fold increase in prevalence. Most affected were young people, women, and those in deprived areas. By June-July 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic had dramatic effects on the mental health of people living in Wales (and by implication those in the UK and beyond). The effects are larger than previous reports. This probably reflects that the current data were taken deeper into the lockdown period than previous evaluations. Mental health services need to prepare for this wave of mental health problems with an emphasis on younger adults, women, and in areas of greater deprivation.