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Objective. To evaluate some parameters of the psychosomatic state, cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A), and free radical status (levels of nitrates and nitrites, antioxidant plasma activity) in convalescent patients after severe COVID-19. Patients and methods. We examined 64 patients who had severe COVID-19 and underwent either a 30-35-day course of inpatient rehabilitation after their discharge from a hospital for infectious diseases or a 60-65-day course of outpatient rehabilitation at the Ambulatory Center of Nalchik, Clinical Hospital No 1. Results. We surveyed patients after severe COVID-19 and found that they required a long rehabilitation. Many of them reported asthenic syndrome, psycho-emotional disorders, and other complaints upon discharge from the hospital. Serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines remained high in patients after severe COVID-19 even 30-35 days following their discharge (p < 0.05). Serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, nitrites, and nitrates remained elevated on days 60-65 following discharge (p < 0.05), despite comprehensive therapy in a rehabilitation department. Plasma antioxidant activity was reduced, whereas IL-17A level normalized by this time. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that currently used rehabilitation measures for COVID-19 are insufficient. Adequate rehabilitation of convalescent COVID-19 patients requires proper monitoring of their immune system condition, as well as new effective methods for immune correction and restoration of their psychoemotional status after the acute phase of the disease.Copyright © 2022, Dynasty Publishing House. All rights reserved.
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The Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations, including a predominant lesion of the respiratory system with the possible development of distress syndrome, the development of multiple organ failure. COVID-19 can cause depression, anxiety, and other emotional disorders, which may interfere with subsequent physical recovery. The aim - clinical analysis of emotional disorders in patients with the Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19). Material and methods. A retrospective analysis of electronic medical records of 124 patients admitted to the infectious diseases department of Chelyabinsk City Clinical Hospital No. 8 in 2020-2021 was carried out. The methods of clinical and psychological research (including clinical conversation, observation and testing using the "Hospital Scale of Anxiety and Depression" HADS and the "Symptom Check List" SCL-90-R) were used to identify the features of the emotional states of patients with COVID-19. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical package <<Statistica 6.0>>. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used. Results. Typical complaints upon admission to the hospital are fever, cough, general weakness, loss of smell and taste, runny nose. The majority of patients showed elevated levels of C-reactive protein and protein of the acute phase of inflammation - ferritin, an increase in the D-dimer by more than 2.5 times compared with the average standard values, a decrease in the value of the prothrombin index (mean value 88.7+/-6.4%) indicate coagulopathy as a manifestation of hyperinflammation that develops in COVID-19. More than half of patients (52.08+/-9.42%) experienced psychological distress of moderate and high severity: an increased level of distress was recorded in 42.78+/-9.33% of the examined patients, a high level of distress was found in 9.30+/-5.48% of patients. Direct correlations of varying degrees of strength between general somatic distress and indicators of anxiety, depression, psychopathological manifestations (obsessive-compulsiveness and interpersonal sensitivity) and mental distress were identified. Revealed negative emotional experiences in patients with COVID-19 can cause adverse effects on the course and prognosis of the disease, reduce adherence to treatment, negatively affect the social functioning and quality of life of patients.Copyright © Infectious Diseases: News, Opinions, Training 2022.
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Objective. To evaluate some parameters of the psychosomatic state, cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A), and free radical status (levels of nitrates and nitrites, antioxidant plasma activity) in convalescent patients after severe COVID-19. Patients and methods. We examined 64 patients who had severe COVID-19 and underwent either a 30-35-day course of inpatient rehabilitation after their discharge from a hospital for infectious diseases or a 60-65-day course of outpatient rehabilitation at the Ambulatory Center of Nalchik, Clinical Hospital No 1. Results. We surveyed patients after severe COVID-19 and found that they required a long rehabilitation. Many of them reported asthenic syndrome, psycho-emotional disorders, and other complaints upon discharge from the hospital. Serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines remained high in patients after severe COVID-19 even 30-35 days following their discharge (p < 0.05). Serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, nitrites, and nitrates remained elevated on days 60-65 following discharge (p < 0.05), despite comprehensive therapy in a rehabilitation department. Plasma antioxidant activity was reduced, whereas IL-17A level normalized by this time. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that currently used rehabilitation measures for COVID-19 are insufficient. Adequate rehabilitation of convalescent COVID-19 patients requires proper monitoring of their immune system condition, as well as new effective methods for immune correction and restoration of their psychoemotional status after the acute phase of the disease.Copyright © 2022, Dynasty Publishing House. All rights reserved.
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Purpose of Study: Affective symptoms, such as depression, nervousness, anxiety, and irritability, are common yet complicating aspects for concussion patients, therefore addressing exasperations of these symptoms is essential for injury management. This is an especially important consideration for patient populations increasingly susceptible to affective disorders, such as those in rural regions and adolescents. Increases in adolescent mental health problems during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic pose an additional challenge for clinicians managing affective concussion symptoms in rural adolescents. The aim of this study is to quantify the mental health effects of the pandemic by comparing affective concussion symptoms in groups of adolescents with concussion and without concussion in the Central Oregon region. Methods Used: The study is a secondary data analysis of ImPACT Concussion Test symptom scores from a cohort of non-concussed (Baseline) and concussed (Post-Injury) adolescents between the ages of 12-18, pre-pandemic (January 1, 2015 - March 20, 2020) and pandemic (March 21, 2020 - April 1, 2022). Subjects were excluded from the study if they received special education, had a diagnosis of learning disabilities, ADD, dyslexia, autism, or received treatment for headaches, migraines, epilepsy, brain surgery, meningitis, substance use or psychiatric conditions. Prevalence of symptoms of 'headache', 'trouble falling asleep', 'irritability', 'nervousness', 'sadness', and 'feeling more emotional' were noted for each group during each time period. Summary of Results: A total of pre-pandemic non-concussed (n =2667), pre-pandemic concussed (n=643), pandemic non-concussed (n = 593) and pandemic concussed (n=87) were included in the final analysis. There was a statistically significant increase in the proportions of 'nervousness' (p=0.0209) and 'sadness' (p=0.0117) in pre-pandemic and pandemic non-concussed groups. Furthermore, there were statistically significant increases in the proportions of 'headache' (p=0.0331), 'irritability' (p=0.0006), 'nervousness' (p=0.0135), 'sadness' (p=0.0357) and 'feeling more emotional' (p=0.0039) between pre-pandemic and pandemic concussed adolescents. Conclusion(s): This study demonstrates a significant increase in affective symptoms in both concussed and non-concussed groups during the COVID-19 pandemic consistent with other studies. However, those with concussion during the COVID-19 pandemic showed greater number of affective symptoms as well as somatic symptoms (headache) compared to concussed pre-pandemic adolescents. The results of this study support the broader body of research examining the mental health burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents, and further encourages a biopsychosocial approach to injury management, in which social and emotional components of a patient's life are considered.
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Introduction: Overweight and obesity in youth with serious emotional disturbance (SED) is exceedingly common. In 2015 the AHA called attention to mental illnesses in youth as important risk conditions for early CVD and the need for transformational change in management of overweight and obesity in this group. Our objective was to test a 12-month, innovative healthy weight intervention in youth with SED.Hypothesis: The active intervention is more effective than control in decreasing BMI Z-score compared at 12 m. Method(s): We conducted a two-arm randomized trial in 2 outpatient pediatric mental health settings in 112 youth, ages 8-18 yrs. The active intervention group was offered 12m of in-person and virtual individual weight management sessions led by health coaches who provided guidance on improving diet and increasing physical activity, and engaged parents. Result(s): At baseline, mean (SD) age was 13.0 (2.7) yrs with 46% ages 8-12 and 54% 13-18;55% were male, 46% Black, 39% had household income less than $50K/yr and 31% lived in a single-parent household. Primary diagnoses were ADHD (41%), major depression (23%), and anxiety (23%). Mean BMI Z-score (SD) was 2.0(0.4), BMI 30.4 (6.4) kg/m2.Mean(SD) psychotropic medications were 2.1(1.4).At 12m, 111 (99%) had a follow-up weight;42 were collected after the onset of the COVID pandemic). The intervention group compared to the control group had 0.15 decrease in BMI Z-Score (95% CI 0.26 to 0.04), p<0.007) between baseline and 12 m (Figure) and a 1.43 kg/m2 decrease in BMI (95% CI 2.43, 0.42, p<0.006). Estimated net effect on BMI Z-score for intervention vs. control was enhanced during the pandemic but not statistically different from net effects pre-pandemic (p=0.06). Conclusion(s): A weight control intervention designed for children with SED decreased BMI Z-score substantially over 12 months, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. These results provide empirical evidence in support of weight control programs in a population at high risk for early development of CVD risk factors.
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Introduction: Pediatric mental problems have been increasing, especially after COVID-19, which led to reduced active play. In childhood and adolescence, active play has been recognized as a protective factor against psychopathology. Objective(s): To determine the association between gambling and internalizing or externalizing symptoms in children and adolescents. Material(s) and Method(s): Cross-sectional analytical observational study, with a sample of 1533 children and adolescents, between six and 18 years of age in the city of Manizales, during the second semester of 2021. The Child Behavior Checklist 6-18 (CBCL/6-18) and inquired about hobbies and active play, where bivariate analyzes were performed. Result(s): 69.4% of those surveyed are fond of art and 12.0% of sports. 46.37% presented significant symptoms in the CBCL. Statistically significant negative correlations were found between active gaming and the presence of symptoms in all CBCL domains, as well as a positive correlation between alterations in mental health and the use of video games. Conclusion(s): Active play is a behavior related to child and adolescent mental health, which is why it should be investigated and promoted from the first levels of health care.Copyright © 2023 Asociacion Colombiana de Psiquiatria
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Misophonia is a condition in which individuals suffer a wide range of intense emotions in response to sound triggers. Emotions such as anxiety, irritability, and disgust may lead individuals to engage in avoidance behaviors to escape or suppress sound triggers. Transdiagnostic treatment may serve as a practical intervention for misophonia as it addresses a broad scope of emotions and physiological sensations. This paper presents the first reported case example of misophonia treated with a transdiagnostic treatment protocol, the Unified Protocol for Emotional Disorders in Adolescents (UP-A). In this case, the UP-A was efficacious in treating a client with autism spectrum disorder, comorbid misophonia and anxiety symptoms. The client evidenced reliable change in misophonia and related problems. Future research should investigate the efficacy of the UP-A in a larger sample of youth with misophonia, as well as assess mechanisms of change in transdiagnostic treatment of this disorder in youth.Copyright © 2022 Society of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology.
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Background: The post-COVID syndrome generates physical and respiratory complications that can be accompanied by psychological impairments, which can affect long-term mental and physical health. Objective(s): Know the prevalence and severity of PTSD, anxiety, and depression in surviving COVID-19 patients in a follow-up evaluation. Method(s): A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. 227 survivors COVID-19 patients participated, were assessed three months following discharge hospital. The following questionnaires were used: The Brief Davidson Trauma Scale, the General Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, and the Patient Health Questionnaire. A descriptive and statically analysis was performed using the statistical software SPSS version 26. Result(s): The 64.5% of the patients were men, 60.9% required of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) during the hospitalization, the average age was about 48.23+/-14.33 years old. The 40% of the patients showed symptoms associated with PTSD, 38.4% anxiety symptoms, 36.6% depression symptoms. There were statistically significant differences between the type of treatment during hospitalization (IMV vs without IMV), in PTSD (t=2.482, df=223, p=.014, XIMV = 5.21, XWIMV = 6.08) and anxiety (t= -2.006, df=223, p=.046, XIMV = 4.05, XWIMV =5.44). Conclusion(s): Survivors of COVID-19 experience a high prevalence of PTSD, anxiety, and depression even three months after discharge from hospital. Patients who did not require IMV during hospitalization experienced a high prevalence and severity of PTSD and anxiety symptoms. Screening for PTSD and other emotional disturbances should be considered in follow-up evaluations in patients discharged from the hospital.
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Persistent complex bereavement/complicated grief occurs when, after a period of 12 months following a death, there remains an ongoing intense yearning and sorrow for the deceased, preoccupation with the death and its circumstances, difficulty accepting its reality, and disruption in personal identity. This case study illustrates the successful application of Complicated Grief Treatment (CGT), a manualized research-supported intervention, with a husband and wife each receiving individual therapy simultaneously with separate clinicians. The core of CGT involves graded completion of imaginal and situational revisiting (i.e., exposure) exercises. To target maladaptive rumination and counterfactual thinking more explicitly, strategies from a research-based treatment for trauma, Cognitive Processing Therapy, were also incorporated for one member of the couple. To our knowledge, CGT has not been examined with couples receiving individual therapy delivered simultaneously. As such, practitioners have little information about how to proceed with cases where multiple members of the same family are experiencing complicated grief. We will detail the treatment provided, outlining the course of care for each member of the couple, highlighting unique adjustments made to tailor implementation to each individual and to deliver the intervention simultaneously. Quantitative and qualitative data show the effects of treatment on symptoms of complicated grief, depression, and relationship satisfaction.Copyright © The Author(s) 2022.
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Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about child and adolescent mental health issues, such as self-harm. The impact of society-wide isolation on self-harming behaviors among adolescents in China is unclear. In addition, adolescents of different ages and sexes have varying abilities to cope with environmental changes. However, these differences are rarely considered in self-harm studies. We aimed to characterize the age- and sex-dependent effects of COVID-19-related society-wide isolation on self-harm among adolescents in East China. Methods: We collected 63,877 medical records of children and adolescents aged 8-18 who had an initial visit to Shanghai Mental Health Center in China between 2017 and 2021 and charted annual self-harm rates for each age and sex. Using interrupted time series analysis, we modeled global and seasonal trends and the effect of COVID-19-related society-wide isolation on self-harm rates. Results: Females aged 10-17 and males aged 13-16 exhibited significantly increasing trends in self-harm rate (p fdr < 0.05) in the past 5 years. Eleven-year-old females in 2020 showed a self-harm rate (37.30%) that exceeded the peak among all ages in 2019 (age 13, 36.38%). The COVID-19-related society-wide isolation elevated self-harm rates in female patients aged 12 [RR 1.45 (95% CI 1.19-1.77); p fdr = 0.0031] and 13 years [RR 1.33 (95% CI 1.15-1.5); p fdr = 0.0031], while males were less affected. Further, females with emotional disorders dominated the increased self-harm rates. Conclusion: Society-wide isolation has had a significant impact on early adolescent females in East China, especially for those with emotional disturbances, and has brought forward the peak in adolescent self-harm rates. This study calls for attention to the risk of self-harm in early adolescents.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Self-Injurious Behavior , Male , Child , Humans , Adolescent , Female , Mental Health , Pandemics , COVID-19/epidemiology , China/epidemiology , Self-Injurious Behavior/epidemiology , Self-Injurious Behavior/psychologyABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Alexithymia brings negative consequences on the psycho-emotional well-being and health of an individual. This narrative review attempted to explore previous research at the objective to advance understanding of psychological essence and genesis on this phenomenon. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: On the research topic, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycInfo and PubMed original articles, dissertations and monographs were found to be included in the overview (totally, 109 publications). We presented an analysis of numerous investigations and review works with the aim to fill the existing large gap in the psychological explanation of the emergence and functioning of alexithymia. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The truth is that alexithymia is still predominantly studied at the clinical-medical level. Namely, psychological roots are not considered in research or reviews at all, and no consensus on alexithymia psychological origin exists. Evidence indicated that whilst the existing research findings establish multisided relationships between alexithymia and various risk-factors, extremely little is known about its psychological origin and mechanism. CONCLUSION(S): The present overview is the first attempt to elucidate psychological essence and genesis of alexithymic symptoms and delve into presenting a disclosure and adequate explanation of the psychological mechanism of alexithymia functioning. Moreover, for the first time an innovative definition of alexithymia is given within the framework of the explanatory-functional psychological paradigm. This article is a narrative review with less rigorous methodology;nevertheless, it is useful for coherent detailed highlighting the problem posed and in cases when too much research from different scientific fields and directions is analyzed. Copyright © 2022 Edizioni Minerva Medica. All right reserved.
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The mental health of children and adolescents has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent data suggests there had been an upsurge of psychiatric morbidity in this subgroup of population. Nonpharmacological behavioral intervention in the form of play therapy has been regarded as one of the best treatment strategies in children with emotional disorders. During lockdown, we attempted a play therapy via telemedicine. In this case report, we describe the case of a four-year-old girl who had sudden-onset behavioral problems following an unplanned hair cut during the lockdown, which was managed with teleplay therapy. Copyright © 2022, Matrix Medical Communications. All rights reserved.
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Introduction: The covid-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on the mental health of the entire population. Objective(s): To determine the dynamics of emotional disorders in medical students in the context of the covid-19 pandemic. Method(s): Methods of research. An online survey of medical university students was conducted during the covid-19 pandemic. The Beck scale was used. Result(s): Results and its discussion. According to a dynamic study of emotional disorders in medical students, which was held during 12 months of covid-19 pandemic, emotional disturbance in the form of depressive manifestations associated with the covid-19 pandemic did not reduced. In addition, the results of the study indicated a change in the structure of depressive manifestations in the surveyed in favor of milder depressive manifestations (27.2%;24.0%) and a decrease in the prevalence of moderate and severe manifestations of depression (3.0%;5.3%). Conclusion(s): The long-covid pandemic has a negative effect on the mental health of medical students and lead to emotional disturbances in the form of depressive manifestations of varying severity. The compensatory possibilities of mental activity proceed unilaterally with a change in the structure of emotional disorders;adaptation to a stress factor is not formed.
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Introduction: Post-partum depression may occur in the first year after childbirth in approximately 25% of women, at times presenting with psychotic symptoms and catatonic states. Catatonia is a psychomotor syndrome that occurs in association with various neuropsychiatric disorders and can be described according to the characteristics of its manifestation in types such as retarded or agitated. Objective(s): We report the case of a patient with postpartum depression and catatonic syndrome who, after a session of electroconvulsive therapy, was infected with Sars-COV-2, suspended treatment, and had her condition aggravated with distinct clinical manifestations. Method(s): Clinical case report and non-systematic review of articles consulted in the PubMed platform. Result(s): A 24-year-old patient develops depressive symptoms and obsessive behaviour 6 months after delivery and deteriorates with mutism, stupor and motor immobility. She was hospitalised and medicated with lorazepam, with no improvement. One session of electroconvulsive therapy was carried out with improvement of the symptoms. Due to an inpatient Covid-19 outbreak, in which the patient was infected, treatment was suspended. During isolation, deterioration of the patient's condition was observed with psychomotor agitation, bizarre behaviour, and perseverative speech. The patient resumed treatment with ECT, with total remission of the catatonic syndrome and improvement of the affective symptoms. Conclusion(s): Catatonic syndromes are relatively rare, but its association with post-partum depression is not so uncommon. The occurrence of different presentations of catatonia, although described as possible in the same episode in the literature, were not found in any clinical studies reviewed, which leads us to conclude that it is an uncommon situation.
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Introduction: Increase in affective and somatic complaints during pandemic is considered as related to experienced stress (Wang et al., 2020, Roy et al., 2020, Robillard et al., 2020). Expression or suppression of emotions related to pandemic could affect the vulnerability of people to stressful situations (Gross, Thompson, 2007, Roberts et al., 2008). Objective(s): The aim was to reveal a role of suppression / expression emotions regarding pandemic in the changes in somatic and affective complaints in people without coronavirus during lockdown. Method(s): In May 2020 110 people 18-65 years old (61.2% females) without coronavirus appraised their strategy of dealing with different emotions regarding pandemic on the 1-5 scale from emotional expression to hiding and suppression (Cronbach's alphas) and 26 somatic and emotional symptoms including sleep-related symptoms, daytime functioning, affective symptoms, general physical condition (Cronbach's alphas .81-.90). In December 2020 they reappraised 26 complaints. Result(s): There were no statistically significant changes in somatic and affective complaints during May-December 2020 (p>.20). Increase in sleep-related complaints (beta=.23, p<.05, DELTAR2=5.0%) and complaints regarding general physical condition (beta=.32, p<.05, DELTAR2=10.0%) were more pronounced in those reporting higher expression of emotions related to COVID. Conclusion(s): People with higher emotional reactivity to pandemic situation tend to report increase in sleep-related problems and general worsening of their physical condition during lockdown.
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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the Shugan Jieyu capsule on improving sleep and emotional disorder during Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescence. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, and recruit 200 COVID-19 convalescence patients and then divide the subjects into two groups respectively: the experimental group ( 100) and the control group ( 100). Patients in the control group were given doses as a placebo, while those in the experimental group were given Shugan Jieyu capsule. The investigators mainly observed the differences between the two groups before and after treatment in terms of the rate of reduction and the rate of efficiency in Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) total scores from baseline, and recorded the scores of Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale at 2 week, the 4 week and the 6 week respectively after treatment, and compared the differences between the groups. And the occurrence of adverse events was recorded. RESULTS: After 6-week treatment, there were statistically significant differences in the rate of reduction as well as efficiency in HAMD-17 scores, HAMA Total Scores, PHQ-15 Score, ISI Score from baseline in the experimental group and control group (< 0.05). There were 4 adverse events in the experimental group and 1 in the control group. CONCLUSION: Shugan Jieyu capsule could significantly improve sleep and emotional disorder in patients during COVID-19 convalescence.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Convalescence , Double-Blind Method , Humans , Sleep , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Introduction: Parental burnout might take place when excessive demands overwhelm the parents' resources. Aims: To develop and validate the Hungarian version of the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA-HUN), an instrument designed to measure parental burnout;and to determine the prevalence of parental burnout in Hungary. Methods: Data were collected via an online survey from parents with at least one child living in the household (N = 1215;82.6% mothers;Mage = 38.68 years;SDage = 6.27 years). Confirmatory factor analysis was used to investigate the factor structure of the PBA-HUN.Results: The four-factor structure of the original PBA was replicated, confirming the following factors: exhaustion in one's parental role, contrast with one's parental role, feelings of being fed up, and emotional distancing from one's children. A second-order model with a higher-order factor representing overall parental burnout also fit the data well. The internal consistency of both the subscale and total scores was excellent (α ≥ 0.84). Parental burnout had a moderately strong negative correlation with life satisfaction, and weak or moderate positive correlations with perceived stress, depression, vital exhaustion, and COVID-specific perceived stress supporting the construct validity of the PBA-HUN. The prevalence of parental burnout stood at 5.8% in this sample. The weak relationship between PBA-HUN scores and sociodemographic factors was also similar to those found in prior studies. Parental burnout correlated negatively with the number of hours spent sleeping and engaging in spare time activity, respectively. Conclusions: The PBA-HUN is a reliable and valid tool to assess parental burnout in Hungary.
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Introduction: Chronic or acute sleep deprivation accentuates emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression. For adolescents the exhaustive study journey, as well as the use of mobile devices, may be preponderant factor to reduce sleep duration. Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the relationship between sleep, screen time on mobile phone and symptoms common to anxiety and depression in higher education students. Methods: Data were collected between July and December 2019, period prior to COVID-19. The study sample consisted of 39 students from three undergraduate courses: Biological Sciences (CB;F=13;M=3;age=21+1.7);Computer Science (LC;F=0;M=13;age=21.5+1.9) and;Agronomic Engineering (EA;F=4;M=7;age=22.1+2.8). Depression level and anxiety were measured through the Depression Inventory (BDI) and Anxiety (BAI) by Beck, respectively. Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ) was used to evaluate sleep habits, and Screen Time app to measured screen time on mobile phones. For the statistical study, the software program IBM SPSS, version 23, with two-way Anova with Tukey's post-hoc, and Spearman's correlation test were used. For the statistical study, the softwar IBM SPSS, version 23, with Anova two-way with Tukey posthoc, and correlation test of Spearman were used. Results: During weekdays, students of the EA slept earlier when compared to the other two courses (p= 0.001), but not on free days (p=0.498). Correlation analyses suggest that there is a negative correlation between sleep duration and depressive symptoms on weekdays (r = -0.488;p=0.004). This relationship was also observed between sleep duration and anxiety on weekdays (r = -0.323;p=0.045). Anxiety symptoms were positively associated with total cell phone use time on free days (r = 0.668;p=0.001) and the amount of unlocks on free days (r = 0.354;p=0.027). Conclusion: The shorter the sleep time, the greater the emotional disorders - anxiety and depression -, mainly on weekdays. Screen time on the mobile phone can be a marker for anxiety in the studied group. Just as there are behavioral differences in sleep rhythm between weekdays and free days, the same look should be taken to the analysis of the behavior of the use of cell phones.
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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve internationally, increasing levels of psychological stress in adolescents around the world, and thereby increasing their risk for emotional disorders associated with chronic stress. This ongoing threat to adolescents mental health requires that we identify factors that contribute to their ability to cope with situations shown to carry significant risks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., their resiliency).Negative emotions are associated with chronic stress, and factors that reduce levels of negative emotions are associated with improved resiliency. Healthier sleep is associated with lower levels of negative emotions. Cognitive reappraisal (changing the way one thinks about potentially emotioneliciting events) is an emotional regulation strategy that downregulates negative emotions. However, there is little information about the associations between sleep quality, emotional regulation, and resiliency in adolescents. The present study sought to fill this gap by examining the associations between adolescents sleep quality and disturbances, emotional regulation strategies and adolescents resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Forty-five adolescents (M=13.47, SD=1.7 years) participated in the study during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada (May 15 to June 30, 2020). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess adolescents self-reported sleep quality and disturbances. The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire was used to assess respondents' tendencies to regulate their emotions using cognitive reappraisal or expressive suppression. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale was used to measure resilience. Behavioral/emotional problems were assessed before the pandemic using the Youth Self Report (YSR). Results: Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses revealed that lower levels of sleep disturbances and frequent use of cognitive reappraisal to regulate emotions were associated with a higher level of resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic, above and beyond the contributions of gender or pre-pandemic emotional or behavioral problems. Conclusion: Better sleep quality and the habitual use of an emotional regulation strategy that is effective in downregulating negative emotions are associated with higher resiliency in adolescents facing the COVID-19 pandemic. The cross-sectional nature of the study does not allow the inference of causation.
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Objective: We report the approach and initial outcomes for two patients with Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) seen at our clinical transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) telehealth service at NYU Langone Health. Background: PASC is the syndrome of persisting (>1 month) symptoms following COVID-19 illness, which often include fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, pain, and emotional disturbance, and can lead to significant reductions in levels of daily functioning and quality of life. As the numbers of individuals who recover from COVID-19 continue to rise world-wide, there is a critical need for therapeutic interventions for this patient population. tDCS has potential for therapeutic targeting of these PASC symptoms, with the advantage of portable and wearable devices for home-based access. Design/Methods: Patients were a 42 and 57-year-old women with PASC seen 7 and 9 months following their acute COVID-19 illness. Each daily tDCS session was delivered at-home via a video visit for 30 minutes x 2.0 mA using a left anodal dorsolateral prefrontal cortex montage. Stimulation was paired with physical exercise, online adaptive computerized cognitive training, and guided mindfulness meditation, individualized to each patient. Sessions were delivered 3-5 days per week. Clinical neuropsychological evaluation was completed before and after the intervention, and we developed a symptom inventory based on the full range of PASC symptoms reported in the literature (Assessment of PASC;A-PASC) to measure treatment outcomes. Results: The patients experienced significant improvements across cognitive, emotional, physical, and functional domains, and both returned to work and resumed most of their daily activities following the intervention. Conclusions: tDCS can be delivered as a teleintervention warranting its evaluation as an accessible and scalable treatment option for PASC. Further study and clinical trials of PASC are warranted.