THE EMERGENCE OF FIBROMYALGIA FOLLOWING ACUTE COVID-19 INFECTION

BackgroundThe exact pathogenesis of fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome is unclear. However, different infections including hepatitis C virus, Human immunodeficiency virus and Lyme disease have already been implicated with the development of FM after their acute phase[1]. Imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines has been suggested as a possible mechanism that facilitates the neuropathic pain[2].ObjectivesTo investigate the incidence of FM syndrome among convalesced individuals following hospitalization for Acute Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) and to identify possible risk factors.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study on patients who were discharged after COVID-19 hospitalization from the Sheba Medical Center, Israel, between July 2020 to November 2020. A phone interview was performed consisting of the following questionnaires: the Fibromyalgia Survey Diagnostic Criteria Questionnaire, Sense of Coherence Questionnaire to evaluate resilience, and the Subjective Traumatic Outlook Questionnaire to assess the associated psychological aspects of the trauma. The incidence of post-COVID FM was calculated and regression models were performed to identify predictors.ResultsThe study population consisted of 198 eligible patients who completed the phone interview. The median age was 64 (52-72) and 37% were women. The median follow-up was 5.2 months (IQR 4.4-5.8). The incidence of FM was 15% (30 patients) and 87% (172 patients) had at least one FM-related symptom. Female gender was significantly associated with post-COVID FM (OR 3.65, p=0.002). In addition, high median Subjective Traumatic Outlook scores and low median Sense of Coherence scores were both significantly associated with post-COVID FM (OR 1.19, p<0.001 and OR 0.92, p<0.001, respectively).ConclusionFM is highly prevalent among COVID-19 convalescent patients. Our finding suggests that a significant subjective traumatic experience and a low resilience are highly associated with post-COVID FM.References[1]Buskila D, Atzeni F, Sarzi-Puttini P. Etiology of fibromyalgia: the possible role of infection and vaccination. Autoimmun Rev. 2008;8: 41-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autrev.2008.07.023[2]Amital M, Ben-Shabat N, Amital H, Buskila D, Cohen AD, Amital D. COVID-19 associated hospitalization in 571 patients with fibromyalgia—A population-based study. PLoS ONE. 2021:16: e0261772. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261772Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of InterestsNone Declared.

Media synchronicity implications for Indian white-collar employees' work-from-home wellbeing and preference, mediated by psychological needs satisfaction

PurposeWork-from-home (WFH) gained ground with COVID and will now continue to be a part of India's future of work. Under WFH information and communication technologies (ICT) media become the primary/sole mode of communication for employees, which holds several implications for employers and employees. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of ICT media characteristics and usage frequency on multiple WFH outcomes. Specifically studied was ICT media's ability to support synchronicity or coordinated behaviours of individuals working together.Design/methodology/approachThis work examined the effect of ICT media's synchronicity-supporting ability and usage frequency on WFH employees' need for competence and relatedness satisfaction, thereby wellbeing and preference to WFH. Data from 301 white-collar employees of varied manufacturing and services organizations of India was analysed via partial least squares structural equation modelling.FindingsAchieving more synchronicity by frequently using ICT media that can better facilitate coordinated behaviours did not directly influence WFH employees' feeling of belongingness (need for relatedness) or wellbeing. It did, however, positively affect their feeling of effectance (need for competence) and thereby wellbeing. However, unexpectedly, it negatively influenced preference to WFH more often.Originality/valueThis study has uniquely combined media synchronicity and self-determination theories to investigate the implications of a work practice on employee wellbeing and preferences. Also, an extensible media evaluation parameter was created that encompasses the characteristics and usage frequency of a set of ICT media.

Demographic factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine perceptions amongst healthcare and law enforcement workers

Introduction: The emergence of COVID-19 and the development of subsequent vaccines have both significantly impacted the lives and work of essential workers such as those who are healthcare, first responders, and law enforcement. Data has shown that these groups are all at a higher occupational risk for COVID-19 exposure, and therefore public health policy has prioritized the vaccination of this group, including mandating vaccines in this population. However, the perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines in this group are not clear and require examination. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted to examine the psychosocial factors associated with vaccine perceptions amongst healthcare and law enforcement professionals. An online survey was distributed to (n=216) between May 5, 2021, and August 25, 2021, and analyzed using a Chi-squared test for independence and Spearman correlation coefficient test. Results: It was found that race was significantly associated with four statements regarding COVID-19 vaccine attitudes and perceptions, gender identity was not associated with any statements, ethnicity was associated with two statements, and education level was associated with nine statements. Further analysis using a Spearman correlation coefficient found education to be associated with one statement regarding perceived safety (p=0.006) and another statement regarding perceived benefits (p=0.001). Conclusion: These findings are largely preliminary, but they provide insight into psychosocial factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine perception. It was found that all factors except for gender identity were associated with COVID-19 vaccine attitudes among healthcare and law enforcement professionals. Additional analysis found that higher education level was associated with higher perceived benefits and lower perceived barriers regarding COVID-19 vaccines.

The effects experienced by battered women in light of the Corona pandemic (COVID-19): A study applied to social workers in the Social Protection House and government hospitals in Makkah Al-Mukarramah

The Corona pandemic represents a human catastrophe that leads to changes and transformations that attacked the heart of societies and their economies, as global indicators indicate an increasing rise in cases of infection and death around the clock as a result of non-compliance with precautionary measures and measures to prevent the spread of infection in an alarming manner, which called on all governments of developed and developing countries to take measures to limit From the spread of this epidemic, as air traffic stopped, land, sea and air flights were canceled, borders were closed, trade and industry movement stopped, and states of emergency were declared to prevent citizens from being in gathering places in all its forms. A ban was imposed, and the current study seeks to identify the effects that battered women suffer in light of The Corona pandemic (COVID-19), through a set of sub-objectives and questions adopted by the study. The study is a descriptive analytical study using the comprehensive social survey method, social workers in the Social Protection House, in addition to those concerned with dealing with cases of violence in government hospitals in the Makkah region. The study on the questionnaire as a main tool in the studies The study reached a set of results, the most important of which were: the social factors associated with social distancing, the economic factors associated with closure, the psychological factors associated with home quarantine and lead to violence against women, and the results revealed the effects that battered women suffer as a result of the Corona pandemic, which are ( health, economic, social and psychological)

Psychosocial factors for safety performance of construction workers: taking stock and looking forward

PurposePsychosocial factors have received increasing attention regarding significantly influencing safety in the construction industry. This research attempts to comprehensively summarize psychosocial factors related to safety performance of construction workers. In the context of coronavirus disease 2019, some typical psychosocial factors are selected to further analyze their influence mechanism of safety performance.Design/methodology/approachFirst, a literature review process was conducted to identify and summarize relevant psychosocial factors. Then, considering the impact of the epidemic, hypotheses on the relationship between six selected psychosocial factors (i.e. work stress, role ambiguity, work–family conflict, autonomy, social support and interpersonal conflict) and safety performance were proposed, and a hypothetical model was developed based on job demands-resources theory. Finally, a meta-analysis was used to examine these hypotheses and the model.FindingsThe results showed these psychosocial factors indirectly influenced workers' safety performance by impacting on their occupational psychology condition (i.e. burnout and engagement). Work stress, role ambiguity, work–family conflict and interpersonal conflict were negatively related to safety performance by promoting burnout and affecting engagement. Autonomy and social support were positively related to safety performance by improving work engagement and reducing burnout.Originality/valueThis research is the pioneer systematically describing the overall picture of psychosocial factors related to the safety performance of construction workers. Through deeply discussed the mechanism of psychosocial factors and safety performance, it could provide a reference for the theory and application of psychosocial factors in the field of construction safety management.

Gender Difference in the Association between Religious Participation and Acculturative Stress: Evidence from Korean Immigrants in the United States

The present study examines the interplay between participation in religious services and gender differences in mitigating acculturative stress among Korean immigrants in the United States. Using cross-sectional survey data írom a total of 164 Korean immigrants, our findings suggest that participation in religious services is significantly associated with a lower level of acculturative stress, and the negative association became stronger when a participant is female. This study is one of few empirical studies that examine the differential role of participation in religious services across gender in reducing acculturative stress among Korean immigrants in the United States.

Mental Health of Jordanian Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder during COVID-19: A qualitative study

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant psychological effects on parents, especially parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. This qualitative study explores the mental health of Jordanian parents of children with autism spectrum disorder during COVID-19. Through phone interviews with nine such parents, this study found that the pandemic was a great source of stress and anxiety for parents of autistic children in Jordan, which was exacerbated by a lack of formal support for them and their children. This study also found that parents relied on their religious beliefs, shared childcare responsibilities, and engaged in social and family activities to mitigate the psychological toll of raising children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The face behind the Covid-19 mask - A comprehensive review.

The threat of epidemic outbreaks like SARS-CoV-2 is growing owing to the exponential growth of the global population and the continual increase in human mobility. Personal protection against viral infections was enforced using ambient air filters, face masks, and other respiratory protective equipment. Available facemasks feature considerable variation in efficacy, materials usage and characteristic properties. Despite their widespread use and importance, face masks pose major potential threats due to the uncontrolled manufacture and disposal techniques. Improper solid waste management enables viral propagation and increases the volume of associated biomedical waste at an alarming rate. Polymers used in single-use face masks include a spectrum of chemical constituents: plasticisers and flame retardants leading to health-related issues over time. Despite ample research in this field, the efficacy of personal protective equipment and its impact post-disposal is yet to be explored satisfactorily. The following review assimilates information on the different forms of personal protective equipment currently in use. Proper waste management techniques pertaining to such special wastes have also been discussed. The study features a holistic overview of innovations made in face masks and their corresponding impact on human health and environment. Strategies with SDG3 and SDG12, outlining safe and proper disposal of solid waste, have also been discussed. Furthermore, employing the CFD paradigm, a 3D model of a face mask was created based on fluid flow during breathing techniques. Lastly, the review concludes with possible future advancements and promising research avenues in personal protective equipment.

Group processes and interoperability: A longitudinal case study analysis of the UK's civil contingency response to Covid‐19

Our case study explored a Local Resilience Forum's (LRF) civil contingency response to COVID‐19 in the United Kingdom. We undertook 19 semistructured ethnographic longitudinal interviews, between March 25, 2020 and February 17, 2021, with a Director of a Civil Contingencies Unit and a Chief Fire Officer who both played key roles within their LRF. Within these interviews, we focused on their strategic level decision‐making and how their relationship with national government impacted on local processes and outcomes. Using a form of grounded theory, our data describe the chronological evolution of an increasingly effective localized approach toward outbreak control and a growing resilience in dealing with concurrent emergency incidents. However, we also highlight how national government organizations imposed central control on aspects of the response in ways that undermined or misaligned with local preparedness. Thus, during emergencies, central governments can undermine the principle of subsidiarity and damage the ways in which LRFs can help scaffold local resilience. Our work contributes to the theoretical understanding of the social psychological factors that can shape the behaviour of responder agencies during a prolonged crisis. In particular, the implications of our analysis for advancing our conceptual understanding of strategic decision‐making during emergencies are discussed.

EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING: SHORT-TERM PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF COVID-19 ON BRITISH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

There are widespread concerns about the mental health implications of the pandemic, particularly among university students, an already at-risk population for poor mental health. This study looked at 1,281 UK university students, recruited through the Prolific website. Participants were asked to complete the Attitudes towards COVID-19 Scale, the CORE-10, the PERMA Profiler, the GAD-7 and the Office for National Statistics wellbeing questions (ONS4). The first survey was conducted between May 14th and 16th, when the UK was in national lockdown. The second survey was carried out between June 26th and July 15th. There was only an 11% attrition rate between the two time points. Well-being improved overall between the two time points. Some findings were contradictory as overall well-being, anxiety and levels of flourishing improved, but reports of psychological distress increased. It is also important to note that levels of positivity about the pandemic increased as time went on. There was evidence that higher levels of positivity were linked to better mental health outcomes. Encouraging a positive mindset and outlook in students, probably through positive psychology-based interventions, might act as a protective factor against severe mental illness. The wider relevance and practical implications for higher education are discussed.

Role of Grit in Moderating the Effect of Fear of COVID-19

The global coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created major mental health challenges. The uncertainties posed by the pandemic can generate fear that becomes a chronic burden, leading to negative emotions and cognition, increased anxiety and rumination, and reduced psychological flexibility, especially among young students. The main purposes of this study were to explore the associations among these variables and to discuss their influence on individuals. Notably, studies have revealed that the positive personality grit can disrupt this pattern. Data were collected through convenience sampling, and an online survey (N = 321) was conducted to obtain measurements of fear, anxiety, rumination, psychological flexibility, and grit. Structural equation modeling and PROCESS regression analysis were performed to test a fear-ofCOVID-19 model and assess the moderating effects of grit on this model. The results are as follows: female students and university students were more anxious than male and military cadets, respectively;undergraduates ruminated more relative to graduate students;fear of COVID-19 was positively correlated with anxiety and led to rumination and, ultimately, decreased psychological flexibility. Grit and grit-CI reduced the negative effect of rumination on psychological flexibility, but grit-PE did not significantly moderate this effect. Finally, the practical implications of education and psychotherapy were discussed.

Gender-dependent impact of COVID-19 lockdown on metabolic and psychological aspects.

The first COVID-19 lockdown resulted in enforced quarantine of heavily affected areas with social isolation and related measures by several governments to slow the spread of the disease. The general population experienced several mental and lifestyle changes. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the metabolic and psychological effects induced by lifestyle changes during COVID-19 self-isolation among an Apulian overweight/obese cohort with metabolic disturbances. The study assessed anthropometric data (weight, abdominal circumferences), dietary habits (adherence to the Mediterranean diet, junk food score), lifestyle habits (i.e., smoking, and physical activity), levels of stress and anxiety, and depression. Subjects underwent bioumoral exams before and after self-isolation to monitor glycemic and lipid profiles. A total of 245 subjects (M:F = 118:127) have been included in the study. After lockdown, the number of obese subjects significantly increased in both sexes, and was higher in females than in males (P < 0.0001). Glycemic and lipid profiles worsened, with higher levels of insulinemia, lower levels of HDL cholesterol, and higher levels of triglycerides in females than in males. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and consumption of junk foods were altered in both groups, especially in females. Psychological aspects were significantly higher in females than in males. Finally, work activities and familial status strongly affected the metabolic and psychological profile. In conclusion, COVID-19 self-isolation induced changes in lifestyle and dietary habits with psychological distress and detrimental effects on metabolic patterns, which were more pronounced in female gender.

The Spread and Impact of Fake News on Social Media: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda

In this post-truth era, fake news on social media has emerged as a societal problem, where objective facts have increasingly become less influential. Although there is a recent spike in fake news research, it has progressed without a proper agenda or a theoretical framework and has been fragmented. This systematic literature review (SLR) aims to organize the fragmented literature on fake news, focusing on the psychosocial antecedents of its spread on social media and the impact due to such spread. Accordingly, we systematically analyzed fifty-six empirical studies using standard protocols to delineate the current research profile and future research areas. The research themes emerging from the SLR are (a) the need for a theoretical and methodological grounding for understanding the fake news problem on social media;(b) the person, behavior, and environmental factors for the fake news spread on social media;and (c) social, economic, and psychological impacts due to fake news on social media. This study also argues for expanding the current research horizon by relying on new research methods and focusing on under-investigated psychosocial factors. The study may help policymakers plan and execute human-centric policy measures for combating fake news on social media by focusing on an individual's psychosocial factors.

Influence of quarantine during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on physical and psychosocial aspects: perceptions of 214 Brazilian athletes.

Background: Social distancing may affect athletes' training, causing negative effects on mental and physical health. Objective: This study therefore aimed to characterize the perception of Brazilian athletes about their physical and psychosocial aspects, sleep quality and coping strategies during the quarantine of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with online survey, performed with Brazilian athletes (amateur and professional) over 18 years. The main outcomes measures assessed were physical and psychosocial aspects, sleep quality and coping strategies. Results: A total of 214 athletes were included. The average weekly hours of training during the quarantine was 4.71 ± 3.71 h, of which 64.5% athletes (138/214) were oriented by medical staff during training. For 52.8% (113/214) of athletes, training intensity during the quarantine was different/very different from the intensity before the quarantine. 79.4% athletes (170/214) reported moderate to extreme difficulties in keeping the same level of training during the quarantine. 77.1% athletes (165/214) had moderate to extreme anxiety and each of the athletes had concern about his or her athletic career future, including return to the sport. 72.9% athletes (156/214) reported change in sleep schedule during the quarantine period. Conclusion: The quarantine period during COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the athlete's perception about training routine, since athletes reported reduction in training hours and training intensity. Overall, the athletes reported that they were moderately to extremely anxious. They also had concerns about their career in the future, as well as concerns regarding return to sport.

Treatment of depression from both biological and psychological aspects

Depression was common before COVID-19 and became the top 25 burdens of disease in 2019 according to the annual Global Burden of Disease Study. With the continued spreading of COVID-19, researchers predict that depression may increase larger in the future. With the development in both neuroscience and psychology, the major depressive disorder can be released by different kinds of methods. From the medical aspect, most of the antidepressants which are widely used can be divided into 4 types: Tetracyclic Antidepressants (TeCAs), Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) ， Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs). The advantages of them involve high efficiency and can be absorbed easily. However, the main drawback of these medications is the side effects that they can cause ranging from somnolence to drowsiness after starting treatment. Research shows that some level of sexual dysfunction may occur in 40 to 65 percent of people who use SSRIs due to the sexual side effects. In this way, some of the psychological methods were explored including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) which focus on changing the mind or opinions of the patients to achieve goals. The content of this article not only focuses on different methods to treat depression but also compares their advantages and disadvantages of them. It may provide some pieces of evidence and viewpoints for clinical decision-making. © 2022 SPIE. All rights reserved.

Electrical Engineering E-learning Education during COVID-19 Pandemic: Pedagogical and Psychological Aspects

The aim of the paper is to discuss the online education experience of the students from Electrical Engineering. The study discusses the accumulation of information during pandemic by comparing the accumulation of online information to the system face to face from the personal perspective of the student, highlighting the benefits and difficulties. © 2022 IEEE.

A Study on clinico-epidemiological characteristics and psychological aspects of COVID-19 patients of two covid care centres in northeast India: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Introduction: COVID-19 has now become a pandemic. It has spread from Wuhan, China in 2019 to all over the world. The outbreak and spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Illness related to COVID-19 has let to global health and economic crisis. Aim : The present study was done to understand the clinical epidemiological and laboratory characteristics of COVID-19 patients that could give an insight of the disease and help in evolving management strategies in terms of diagnosis, isolation and prevention of further spread. Methodology : This is a descriptive cross sectional study of COVID-19 patients admitted in 2 COVID care centres from 1-6-2020 t o 31-7-2020. The patients were diagnosed with RT-PCR. Demographic clinical and laboratory data were collected. Presence of fear, awareness, emotional and financial impact was interrogated. Results : There was a male preponderance with the disease mainly infecting adolescent and younger adults. There was positive correlation of the disease exposure with travel history, occupation and, disease severity with co-morbidities, vaccination and leucocyte counts. Extra pulmonary symptoms like anosmia, diarrhoea, myalgia and also predominance of fear emotion and financial insecurity were present among the study subjects. Conclusion : Active targeted surveillance among elderly and those with comorbidities for early detection and avoiding COVID-19 complications, adequate awareness in public and workplace with proper SOP (standard operating procedure), early isolation with medications for suspected patients with extra pulmonary symptoms and total counts based on clinical epidemiological guidance even before arrival of COVID-19 reports should be done Addressing the psychological aspects of the disease with due equality.

Psychological Inflexibility Predicts Depression and Anxiety During Covid-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 has affected people across the globe in psychosocial and economic aspects. This process has been difficult for most people, even more for some others including (teachers, administrators at educational settings) working in educational settings. The purpose of this study was to understand the predictive effect of psychosocial factors (gender, age, marital status, Additional Time Spent (ATS) on social media, ATS internet compared to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic and expert programs), and psychological inflexibility on depression and anxiety for teachers employed in the Ministry of Education during the pandemic. Participants included 514 adults (49% women). The findings of the study revealed that psychological factors and psychological inflexibility together explained 47% of the variance in depression and 42% of the variance in anxiety. Specifically, gender, social media and psychological inflexibility were significant predictors of both depression and anxiety during the pandemic. In addition to the predictive effect of psychosocial factors, these results indicated that psychological flexibility was important to develop further evidence based mental health services to address psychopathology and enhanced wellbeing. The findings of the study were discussed in the light of literature, and some suggestions were provided for future research and practice.

The potential use of probiotics in alleviating psychological symptoms of long covid-19

IDDF2022-ABS-0207 Figure 1ConclusionsA potential connection exists between the psychiatric sequelae of COVID-19 and the gut microbiome. These findings also provide insights on probiotics as a potential adjunctive treatment to conventional psychotropic medications in alleviating psychiatric sequelae post COVID-19.

'Much more convenient, just as effective': Experiences of starting continuous glucose monitoring remotely following Type 1 diabetes diagnosis.

AIM: Initiating continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) shortly after Type 1 diabetes diagnosis has glycaemic and quality of life benefits for youth with Type 1 diabetes and their families. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to a rapid shift to virtual delivery of CGM initiation visits. We aimed to understand parents' experiences receiving virtual care to initiate CGM within 30 days of diagnosis. METHODS: We held focus groups and interviews using a semi-structured interview guide with parents of youth who initiated CGM over telehealth within 30 days of diagnosis during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Questions aimed to explore experiences of starting CGM virtually. Groups and interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants were 16 English-speaking parents (age 43 ± 6 years; 63% female) of 15 youth (age 9 ± 4 years; 47% female; 47% non-Hispanic White, 20% Hispanic, 13% Asian, 7% Black, 13% other). They described multiple benefits of the virtual visit including convenient access to high-quality care; integrating Type 1 diabetes care into daily life; and being in the comfort of home. A minority experienced challenges with virtual care delivery; most preferred the virtual format. Participants expressed that clinics should offer a choice of virtual or in-person to families initiating CGM in the future. CONCLUSION: Most parents appreciated receiving CGM initiation education via telehealth and felt it should be an option offered to all families. Further efforts can continue to enhance CGM initiation teaching virtually to address identified barriers.