Problematic internet use during COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Experts in the field raised concerns about the rise of the Problematic Usage of the Internet (PUI) during the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), however, specific online behaviours and how they are presented cross-culturally were explored to a lesser extent. In this study, we aimed to explore the cross-cultural manifestation of specific online behaviours and their associations with self-compassion, appearance anxiety, image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs) use, and specific online behaviours. Methods: An international survey was conducted in eight countries including Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Japan, United Kingdom, Brazil and Hungary comprising in total 2223 individuals with a mean age of 33±11 years old. Participants were surveyed for specific type of Internet use severity (the Internet Activities Scale from the Internet Severity and Activities Addiction Questionnaire), selfcompassion (the Self-Compassion Scale, SCS), appearance anxiety (the Appearance Anxiety Inventory, AAI), and IPEDs use. Results: After adjustment for demographic factors, hours online, and country, self-compassion remained associated with higher levels of skill games and time wasters (β=-.073;p<.002), streaming (β=-.053;p=.018), digital hoarding (β=-.065;p=.006) and cyberchondria (β=-.153;p<.001). Appearance was associated with general surfing (β=.136;p<.001), online shopping (β=.137;p<.001), online gambling (β=.067;p=.003), social networking (β=.131;p<.001), pornography use (β=.102;p<.001), digital hoarding (β=.079;p<.001) and cyberchondria (β=.120;p<.001). IPEDs use also remained associated with various online behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic Conclusions: Our exploratory study demonstrates that self-compassion, appearance anxiety, and IPEDS use contribute to various forms of PUI.

Assessment of the state of mental health by using DASS-21 during COVID-19

Objective: To assess the depression, anxiety and stress levels among the adult population in response to COVID 19. Methodology: This online study was conducted between the months of March to June 2020. A DASS-21 questionnaire was utilized in order to screen out the depression, stress and anxiety patients. Results: Out of 248 participants, 157 (63.30%) showed depression, 184 (74.19%) showed anxiety and 148 (59.67) showed stress. The individuals were showing significantly (p < 0.05) more stress who felt they could be infected or those who read COVID-19 related post regularly. Individuals who were worried about, to have infection in their family/friends or suffering financial burden were more in stress, anxiety or depression. Conclusion: There was high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress during COVID-19 pandemic because of changes in life style.

The transition to motherhood during COVID-19: The mediating role of postpartum depression in the association between self-compassion and mindful parenting among Portuguese postpartum women

Background The COVID-19 pandemic can have a significant negative impact on postpartum women's mental health and, consequently, on their parenting. Self-compassion can help mothers navigate the transition to motherhood more adaptively during this pandemic. Aims and Objectives This study aims to: 1) compare depressed and non-depressed mothers and those who experienced and did not experience a negative emotional impact of COVID-19 on mindful parenting;2) explore whether self-compassion is associated with mindful parenting and whether this association can be mediated by lower levels of postpartum depression (PPD);and 3) explore the moderating role of the perceived emotional impact of COVID-19 on these associations. Methods During December 2020, 997 Portuguese mothers of infants with an average age of 2.5 months (SD = 1.28, range:0-6) completed an online survey that included a sociodemographic and obstetric form, questions about the perceived negative emotional impact of the pandemic, the Self-Compassion Scale, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting Scale. Results Women scoring above the EPDS cut-off (38.5%) presented lower levels of self-compassion and of all mindful parenting dimensions. In addition, mothers who reported having felt that the pandemic had a negative emotional impact during pregnancy (76.6%) and postpartum (79.5%) presented lower levels of self-regulation and non-judgemental acceptance of parental functioning. A moderated mediation analysis showed that higher levels of self-compassion were associated with higher levels of mindful parenting and that this association was mediated by lower levels of PPD, particularly among mothers who experienced a negative emotional impact of the pandemic. Interpretation/Discussion COVID-19 has a negative impact on postpartum women's mental health and parenting. Self-compassion seems to help mothers feel less depressed and be more mindful in parenting. Conclusions Postpartum women should be offered the possibility of receiving mental health support, especially during the pandemic. Compassion-based interventions may be particularly important in reducing PPD and promoting mindful parenting.