Collective minds: Emotional support and counselling program using information and communications technologies

Aims: The counselling and support program of the Collective Minds Ecosystem [Mentes Colectivas] is a university-based program that aims to provide free and available counselling services in mental and sexual and reproductive health to people over 14 years in Colombia. Method(s): The program uses diverse information and communications technologies such as: traditional phone, SMS, and Internet mediated chat and video calls. Results and Conclusion(s): Since September 2020 to October 2022, 4873 users have been counselled, most of them are female (78.2%, n = 3809/4873), 46% of the users are between 18 to 29 years old. The program has served most of the Colombian territory, reaching 28/32 departments;as expected, the 4 remained are in the Amazon region, which is the area with the lowest internet connectivity. Most of the counselled (84%) had some type of psychological distress (measured with the Kessler-6 scale): 27% were classified as having mild psychological discomfort, 37% moderate and 20% severe. The most frequent topics in mental health include anxiety, depression, and relationship problems. In relation to sexual and reproductive health counselling, they were sexual education, anticonception, and pregnancy. By making use of diverse technologies, the Collective Minds program has managed to reach different parts of Colombia, providing free counselling and support to individuals in need. It has also assisted to mitigate the post-COVID-19 negative effects on mental and sexual and reproductive health by breaking down economic, geographic, and specialized human capital barriers.

Distress and pychosocial concers during the third wave of the pandemic among oncological patients and family caregivers: an exploratory analisis.

Aim. Describe the psychological distress and the psychosocial concerns during the third wave of the pandemic in oncological patients and family caregivers and analyze the evolution of these variables in cancer patients taking as references April and December of 2020. Method. The researchers developed a self-administered questionnaire. It was composed by items developed ad hoc to assess sociodemographic characteristics and social concerns and the Kessler K-6 scale to measure psychological distress. Results. The proportion of oncological patients and family caregivers who showed clinical levels of distress was higher than that the ones of non-oncological population during December 2020. Clinical distress was higher in oncological patients during the December 2020, compared to April levels. This increase was especially significant among women and younger patients in both assessment moments. The main social concerns at the third wave for oncological patients and family caregivers were: the fear of contracting COVID-19, restlessness and fear of the future, suspension of the social contacts, the absence of face-to-face contact and inactivity in the streets and shops. Conclusions. The results of this study highlight the need to provide the proper care to oncological patients and family caregivers due to the presence of socio-emotional needs, and to develop strategies that allow them to be covered from psychological impact of COVID-19.Copyright © 2023, Universidad Compultense Madrid. All rights reserved.

Modeling COVID-19 infection dynamics and mitigation strategies for in-person K-6 instruction.

Background: U.S. school closures due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to extended periods of remote learning and social and economic impact on families. Uncertainty about virus dynamics made it difficult for school districts to develop mitigation plans that all stakeholders consider to be safe. Methods: We developed an agent-based model of infection dynamics and preventive mitigation designed as a conceptual tool to give school districts basic insights into their options, and to provide optimal flexibility and computational ease as COVID-19 science rapidly evolved early in the pandemic. Elements included distancing, health behaviors, surveillance and symptomatic testing, daily symptom and exposure screening, quarantine policies, and vaccination. Model elements were designed to be updated as the pandemic and scientific knowledge evolve. An online interface enables school districts and their implementation partners to explore the effects of interventions on outcomes of interest to states and localities, under a variety of plausible epidemiological and policy assumptions. Results: The model shows infection dynamics that school districts should consider. For example, under default assumptions, secondary infection rates and school attendance are substantially affected by surveillance testing protocols, vaccination rates, class sizes, and effectiveness of safety education. Conclusions: Our model helps policymakers consider how mitigation options and the dynamics of school infection risks affect outcomes of interest. The model was designed in a period of considerable uncertainty and rapidly evolving science. It had practical use early in the pandemic to surface dynamics for school districts and to enable manipulation of parameters as well as rapid update in response to changes in epidemiological conditions and scientific information about COVID-19 transmission dynamics, testing and vaccination resources, and reliability of mitigation strategies.

A Survey of Living Conditions and Psychological Distress in Japanese University Freshmen during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Since the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, educational institutions have implemented measures such as school closures, raising concerns regarding the increase in psychological distress among university students. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that have influenced psychological distress among college freshmen during the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire survey was conducted at the conclusion of the sixth wave of COVID-19 in Japan. Psychological distress was measured using the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Factors affecting psychological distress were calculated using regression analysis. Of the 2536 participants, 1841 (72.6%) reported having no psychological distress, while 695 (27.4%) reported having psychological distress. Factors that were identified to contribute to psychological distress were lack of sleep, weight gain or loss, worsening of interpersonal relationships, and physical symptoms and illnesses. A willingness to join an athletic club and having an environment in which it is easy to discuss worries and anxieties with others were factors that were identified to hinder psychological distress. It is necessary for universities to offer enhanced supports for physical and interpersonal activities. Additionally, it is imperative to encourage students to look after their physical health and to actively utilize university-based consultation systems.

The impacts of school closures and restriction of sport activities on high school student-athletes' mental health during COVID-19 pandemic: A study of stressors, stress response, and life skills

This study aimed to investigate high school student-athletes' mental health, stressors, stress responses, and life skills (LS) during the COVID-19 pandemic and to examine the effect of stressors and LS on stress responses. An online survey was conducted from July to November 2020, and 1,348 student-athletes and 662 non-athletes who were in high schools in the western part of Japan participated. Findings illustrated that student-athletes' mental health seemed to be worse compared to pre-COVID-19 data. The levels of athletes' perceived stressors, stress responses, and LS were significantly different depending on gender, grade, and competitive level. Multiple regression analysis showed that perceived COVID-19-related stressors significantly related to stress responses while LS were a significant moderator of the relationship. © 2022 Japanese Psychological Association. All rights reserved.

Burnout in the Early Childhood Education Sector: Considering the Roles of Stress, Distress, and Support

Objectives: Early childhood education (ECE) has been shown to increase cognitive-academic functioning, developmental outcomes, and social performance at the time of entering school with benefits persisting into adulthood. Turnover has been a longstanding issue in childcare, with estimates of 15%-25% of providers exiting the field each year. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased ECE workforce exit, leading to a crisis in childcare demand. Burnout contributes to turnover and negatively impacts the relationship between providers and children. In this study, we examined factors contributing to and protective against burnout for ECE providers. Method(s): Paper questionnaires were administered at 5 childcare centers in Indianapolis, Indiana, with responses from 47 ECE providers. A single-item burnout measure was used. Stress and distress were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Kessler-6 Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Additional single-item questions were utilized. The null hypothesis was that there would be no differences in the relationships between burnout with stress and distress and how those variables related to feelings toward childcare and sources of support. Analyses included descriptive statistics and correlations. Significant associations were entered into bivariate linear regression. Result(s): Stress (PSS-10, beta =.471) and distress (K6, beta =.489) were significantly (p <.001) associated with burnout. Feeling like quitting (beta =.696;p <.001), feeling stuck in childcare due to few other employment opportunities (beta =.494;p <.001), and liking providing childcare but finding it difficult to make a living (beta =.438;p <.01) were significantly related to burnout. Higher supervisor support (beta = -.743) and adequate breaks (beta = -.516) were significantly (p <.001) related to less burnout. Conclusion(s): Stress and distress for ECE providers were equally related to burnout. Burnout was related to feeling like quitting, feeling stuck, and finding it difficult to make a living in childcare. Only support from supervisors and adequate breaks were related to lower burnout scores. Our study supports the idea that a better understanding of perceived stress, adequate breaktimes, and support from supervisors may be important for addressing burnout and retention of quality ECE providers. EDUC, DEV, PSC Copyright © 2022

IMPACT of COVID-19 PANDEMIC on PATIENTS with RHEUMATIC and MUSCULOSKELETAL DISEASES: DISRUPTIONS in CARE and SELF-REPORTED OUTCOMES

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic represents a challenge to the care of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the care of RMD patients, their health and wellbeing. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 120 RMDs patients at the rheumatology department at Suez Canal University Hospital in Ismailia, Egypt. Patients were interviewed for sociodemographic and disease-related history. Further assessments were performed using Kessler 6-items (1), Fear of COVID-19 scale (2), and COVID-19-Impact on Quality-of-Life scale (3). Results: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus made up most of our sample (72.5%, 19.2% respectively). About 50% of patients were experiencing limitation in the access to rheumatologic care, and a similar percentage had changed or discontinued their medications. DMARDs shortage and concerns about the increased risk of COVID-19 infection because of immu-nosuppressive drugs were the most frequently reported reasons for non-adherence to medication. The percentage of patients with uncontrolled disease had signifcantly increased from 8.3% prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to 20% during the pandemic. Patients perceived their overall quality of life as average (4.93 on a rating scale from 0 to 10). The Fear of COVID-19 score ranged from 7 to 35 with a mean of 26 (±7.6), while the COV19-Impact on Quality of Life score ranged from 6 to 30 points with a mean of 22.6 (±6.7). About 60% of patients reported a high level of psychological distress. Conclusion: The pandemic negatively influenced the mental health, quality of life, adherence to medications, access to rheumatology care, and disease control of RMDs patients.

GROUP-BASED TRAJECTORIES AND PREDICTORS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS DURING COVID-19: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF OLDER ADULTS IN QUEBEC

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world imposed confinement and physical distancing directives for all citizens. Although essential to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, these measures may have collateral consequences for older adults, such as increased psychological distress. Research suggests, as a population, older adults have been experiencing less psychological distress than younger adults during COVID-19. However, most of these studies examine mean levels of psychological distress and do not capture the heterogeneity of outcomes, like subgroups who may experience increased psychological distress. The goal of this longitudinal study was to use group-based trajectory modelling (GBTM) to identify meaningful subgroups that follow different trajectories of psychological distress among 645 older adults with a mean age of 78.69 (SD = 5.67). Participants were recruited from two research cohorts and newspaper ads. Telephone-based assessments were conducted across four time periods: T1-Spring 2020-first confinement, T2-Summer 2020-first deconfinement, T3-Fall 2020-second confinement, and T4-Winter/Spring 2021-continued confinement. Participants completed the Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale (K6) to assess psychological distress at each time point and provided information on socioeconomic, medical, and psychosocial factors. Results indicated that the average psychological distress level was stable across the first three time points but slightly increased at the fourth assessment (Fig. 1). Using GBTM, three groups emerged to best characterize the different trajectories of psychological distress: resilient (50.5%), fluctuating (34.9%), and elevated (14.6%) distress groups (Fig. 1). Those in the fluctuating and elevated groups were more likely to have chronic mental health problems, mobility issues, insomnia symptoms, loneliness, COVID-19 related acute stress and general health anxiety than those in the resilient group. Those who lived in poverty, who could not use technology, and who took psychotropic medication had uniquely increased odds of being in the elevated group. These findings identify subgroups of older adults at greater risk of psychological distress with potential intervention targets to alleviate distress during and after the pandemic.

The Impact of Gender and Age Differences and Infectious Disease Symptoms on Psychological Distress in Quarantined Asymptomatic or Mildly Ill COVID-19 Patients in Japan.

Quarantine imposed due to COVID-19 infection can exacerbate psychological distress, and it is important for a public mental health agency to identify factors that are predictive of high psychological distress in such situation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether gender, age, and the presence or absence of infectious disease symptoms affected psychological distress among asymptomatic or mildly ill COVID-19 patients who were quarantined. Participants were 436 asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19-infected patients who were quarantined in a treatment facility between 1 May 2020 and 30 September 2021. We used Quantification Theory I analysis to investigate the effects of gender, age, and the nature of infectious disease symptoms on psychological distress. The results of the analysis showed that the contribution rate was 0.06. Among gender, age, presence of symptoms, and the nature of symptoms, age had the greatest effect on psychological distress, and being in one's teens to thirties was considered to exacerbate psychological distress the most. According to the results, the psychological distress of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients isolated was affected by gender, age, and symptomology, especially due to age differences. However, the impact of these items on psychological distress was not considered significant.

Working knowledge: An analysis of innovation in K-6 charter schools

This three-article dissertation explores educational innovation in charter schools. A common frame of reference for each article is the consideration of the influence of Dr. Benjamin Bloom's 2 sigma problem-the observation that one-on-one tutoring, though often cost prohibitively expensive, produces outcomes two standard deviations higher than traditional group-directed instruction. The first article is a literature review of the types of charter school innovations most commonly found in the literature and the type of effect those innovations can have on student learning outcomes. The research suggests that three of the top studied new innovations from charters are technology-based virtual schools, specific curricular immersion programs, and the implementation of extended learning hours. Successful student learning outcomes are most likely when implementations are well planned, proper training is provided, and appropriate resources are allocated to the program.The second article is a design-based case study of the development of Franklin Discovery Academy, a K-6 charter school located in Vineyard, UT. We review two of the key design decisions made by our group of graduate students in instructional design in the development of the school and the outcomes of those choices. We focus on the design decisions involved in formulating the student learning model, which included a high school-like rotation of classes at an elementary school level, and the differentiated teacher model design, where the functions of the teacher are separated into three distinct job roles based on economy-of-scale principles. We describe why we made the choices we did, how they were implemented, what went right, and what went wrong. We detail the importance of flexibility and having the right people to developing a resilient and innovative culture.The final article is a quasi-experimental study on the effectiveness of the FoxesRead virtual tutoring program at Franklin Discovery implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic. In response to the pandemic-related school shut-down, Franklin Discovery provided virtual one-onone tutoring to students during June 2020. Using a split-plot ANOVA statistical analysis, we compared the reading pre- and post-reading scores for participating students to nonparticipants. With our analysis, we found a large .309 effect size attributed to the FoxesRead program. Qualitative data collected from parents and tutors also provided strong positive feedback. The findings suggest that FoxesRead is an effective education innovation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

K-6 teacher and parent perceptions of face-to-face versus virtual instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic

In March of 2020 the COVID-19 Pandemic changed the world in education as we knew it. Schools, along with businesses and public venues around the world shut their doors in order to attempt to slow the spread of the virus. Just because the brick-and-mortar buildings were being closed did not mean that schooling would stop. Teachers and students from around the globe transitioned to online or virtual instruction in an attempt to continue educating the future generations. Prior to that time only 3% of primary schools in the United States offered any course entirely online to students according to the National Center for Educational Statistics (2018). Through a quantitative approach, this research study focuses on the perceptions of online learning versus traditional in person instruction of teachers and parents in grades kindergarten through six. A survey was sent out to three school districts in Northeast Arkansas to gain insight on what it has been like for teachers and parents of elementary age students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the survey showed no statistical significance as both teachers and parents strongly perceived face-to-face instruction as opposed to online instruction for K-6 students as the preferred and effective method of instruction. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Persistence of Mental Health Deterioration Among People Living Alone During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Periodically-repeated Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: This longitudinal study aimed to investigate how psychological distress levels changed from early to middle phases of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic depending on the living arrangements of individuals. METHODS: An internet-based, longitudinal survey of 2,400 Japanese people was conducted every 5-6 weeks between February 2020 and January 2021. The presence of severe psychological distress (SPD) was measured using the Kessler's psychological distress scale. Living arrangements were classified into two groups (ie, living alone or living with others). Mixed-effects logistic regression analysis was performed to assess whether changes in SPD status were different depending on living arrangements. RESULTS: Of 2,400 respondents, 446 (18.5%) lived alone. Although the proportion of SPD in both individuals living alone and those living with others increased to the same extent in the early phase of the pandemic, the distress levels decreased after the early phase of the pandemic in the group living with others, compared with the group living alone, for which SPD remained high. The odds ratio (OR) of developing SPD in interaction term with survey phases tended to be higher among those who lived alone than those who lived with others in Phase 6 (OR 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99-3.64) and Phase 7 (OR 1.88; 95% CI, 0.97-3.63). CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, those living alone are persistently at a higher risk of SPD compared to those living with others. Effective countermeasures targeting those living alone, such as enhancing online communication or providing psychological therapies, are essential.

During Covid-19 lockdown, staying-at-home in a rural area was associated with a healthier lifestyle and lower psychological distress in chronic cardiac patients

Background: Healthy lifestyle, which are keystones in management of chronic cardiac patients, could be challenged during the lockdown. Purpose: In patients with Chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) or congestive heart failure (CHF), to evaluate the impact of the place of residence during the Covid-19 lockdown on lifestyle behaviours. Methods: Randomly selected subjects among 250 patients with CCS (from RICO survey) and 150 patients with CHF (from a HF clinic) were invited to answer to a phone-call questionnaire during the 1st COVID-19 lockdown. Urban zone was defined as ≥ 2000 inhabitants. Psychological distress was assessed by Kessler-6 score. Results: 344 questionnaires were fit for analysis (220 CCS and 124 CHF), including 66.6% male, with median (IQR) age at 70(59-78) y (Table 1). Rural location of lockdown residence was frequent (53%), and associated with less lifestyle impairment (i.e. decrease in physical activity and increase in screen-time). In contrast, patients living in urban area felt more often cramped and had a higher psychologic distress. Conclusions: During the 1st lockdown, chronic cardiac subjects from rural areas reported less unhealthy behaviors and lower rate of psychological impairment. These data may help to implement preventive action targeting urban patients.

Working mothers during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study on mental health status and associations with the receipt of employment benefits.

BACKGROUND: Beyond the sweeping physiological effects of COVID-19 infections in 2020 and 2021, the psychosocial impacts of lockdowns, social distancing, and the associated disruptions to daily life have brought on a simultaneous mental health crisis, particularly among many working mothers who are disproportionately balancing childcare, virtual schooling, and employment vulnerability. The aim of this study was to measure the mental health status of working mothers in the United States and associations with the provision of family-friendly employment benefits one year into the pandemic. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of working mothers in the U.S. using an online survey of mental health status and the receipt of employer-provided family-friendly benefits. Mental health was measured with the Kessler 6 (K-6) and the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS). Perceived helpfulness of benefits was assessed through self-reported Likert-scale scores of 0 (not at all helpful) to 4 (extremely helpful) to determine mean helpfulness scores for benefit types. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine associations between receipt of employment benefits and serious mental illness (SMI). RESULTS: A total of 728 participants met the study criteria, 83.7% were non-Hispanic/Latino white and 61.1% were 35-44 years of age. Among study participants, 54.3% (n = 395) and 21.8% (n = 159) reported psychological distress levels associated with moderate mental illness (MMI) and serious mental illness (SMI), respectively. Not receiving benefits was associated with a 50% increase in odds of SMI (aOR = 1.50, 95% CI [1.03-2.20], p = 0.036). Benefits perceived to be the most helpful for participants were flexible hours/schedule (3.5; SD ± 0.9), flexible work location (3.3; SD ± 1.1), and supplemental paid time off (3.1; SD ± 1.1), with mean scores above very helpful. CONCLUSION: Results suggest employment benefits may help support the mental health of working mothers and provide a call to action to employers and policy stakeholders to develop solutions addressing gaps in workplace benefits and mental health support for working parents, with sustainable reform in mind to mitigate employment benefit inequities exposed by the pandemic.

Unplugged Activities in Cross-Curricular Teaching: Effect on Sixth Graders’ Computational Thinking and Learning Outcomes

There is a debate about the way to introduce computational thinking (CT) in schools. Different proposals are on the table;these include the creation of new computational areas for developing CT, the introduction of CT in STEM areas, and the cross-curricular integration of CT in schools. There is also concern that no student should be left behind, independently of their economic situation. To this effect, an unplugged approach is the most cost-effective solution. In addition, this topic is interesting in the context of a pandemic situation that has prevented the sharing of materials between students. This study analyzes an unplugged cross-curricular introduction of CT in the Social Sciences area among sixth grade students. A group of 14 students was selected to carry out an unplugged intervention design—where they were required to program an imaginary robot on paper—in the Social Sciences area. Their CT development and academic results were compared to those of 31 students from the control group who continued attending regular classes. Results showed that an unplugged teaching style of CT in Social Sciences lessons significantly increased CT (p < 0.001) and with a large effect size (d = 1.305) without differences in students’ academic achievement. The findings show that children can potentially develop their CT in non-STEM lessons, learning the same curricular contents, and maintaining their academic results.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Wellbeing in the Context of Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim was to assess both the type and degree of impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child and family wellbeing in a cohort with neurodevelopmental disorders. DESIGN: This was a single time-point observational study utilizing a combination of surveys and standardized measures, which were administered to parents by researchers by telephone. SETTING: The Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Clinic of the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Catania University, Italy. PARTICIPANTS: In total, 200 caregivers completed the questionnaires on behalf of themselves and their child. They were predominantly mothers (88.00%) and primary caregivers (93.50%), with a mean age of 42.84 years (sd = 7.13). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES MEASURES: A questionnaire featured in a previous study was used to assess the impact of COVID-19 on general wellbeing, types of support, family health, home-based learning, and child behaviors. Children's diagnoses were recorded. Caregivers provided information about physical, mental, financial, and vocational wellbeing, and completed several standardised measures of mental health and well-being: the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale - K6; the General Anxiety Disorder Scale - GAD-2; and the WHO Well-being Scale - WHO-5. RESULTS: Overall, 58.50% of respondents agreed somewhat or strongly that their child's overall health and wellbeing had been impacted by the pandemic, while 47.74% felt that their own wellbeing as parents had been affected. Whilst home-based learning and disruption to services for children were noted as being significant, child wellbeing appeared to not be correlated with these but rather to restrictions, home isolation, and disruption to routine. CONCLUSION: Children with neurocognitive disorders and their families have been substantially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected that targeted resources and support services will be required in response to this increase in need.

The Psychological Impact of 'Mild Lockdown' in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Survey under a Declared State of Emergency.

This study examined the psychological distress caused by non-coercive lockdown (mild lockdown) in Japan. An online survey was conducted with 11,333 people (52.4% females; mean age = 46.3 ± 14.6 years, range = 18-89 years) during the mild lockdown in the seven prefectures most affected by COVID-19 infection. Over one-third (36.6%) of participants experienced mild-to-moderate psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale [K6] score 5-12), while 11.5% reported serious psychological distress (K6 score ≥ 13). The estimated prevalence of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥ 10) was 17.9%. Regarding the distribution of K6 scores, the proportion of those with psychological distress in this study was significantly higher when compared with the previous national survey data from 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019. Healthcare workers, those with a history of treatment for mental illness, and younger participants (aged 18-19 or 20-39 years) showed particularly high levels of psychological distress. Psychological distress severity was influenced by specific interactional structures of risk factors: high loneliness, poor interpersonal relationships, COVID-19-related sleeplessness and anxiety, deterioration of household economy, and work and academic difficulties. Even when non-coercive lockdowns are implemented, people's mental health should be considered, and policies to prevent mental health deterioration are needed. Cross-disciplinary public-private sector efforts tailored to each individual's problem structure are important to address the mental health issues arising from lockdown.

Changes in Psychological Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan: A Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: This longitudinal study aimed to examine the changes in psychological distress of the general public from the early to community-transmission phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and to investigate the factors related to these changes. METHODS: An internet-based survey of 2,400 Japanese people was conducted in two phases: early phase (baseline survey: February 25-27, 2020) and community-transmission phase (follow-up survey: April 1-6, 2020). The presence of severe psychological distress (SPD) was measured using the Kessler's Six-scale Psychological Distress Scale. The difference of SPD percentages between the two phases was examined. Mixed-effects ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the factors associated with the change of SPD status between the two phases. RESULTS: Surveys for both phases had 2,078 valid respondents (49.3% men; average age, 50.3 years). In the two surveys, individuals with SPD were 9.3% and 11.3%, respectively, demonstrating a significant increase between the two phases (P = 0.005). Significantly higher likelihood to develop SPD were observed among those in lower (ie, 18,600-37,200 United States dollars [USD], odds ratio [OR] 1.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-3.46) and the lowest income category (ie, <18,600 USD, OR 2.12; 95% CI, 1.16-3.86). Furthermore, those with respiratory diseases were more likely to develop SPD (OR 2.56; 95% CI, 1.51-4.34). CONCLUSIONS: From the early to community-transmission phases of COVID-19, psychological distress increased among the Japanese. Recommendations include implementing mental health measures together with protective measures against COVID-19 infection, prioritizing low-income people and those with underlying diseases.