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The COVID-19 outbreak revealed the fragility not only of our species but also of society, which has demonstrated its ability to adapt to challenging conditions and to learn from disasters. One of the most pressing issues during the pandemic was the delivery of education during lockdowns. Education in emergency was established using various communication media, hastening the digitalization of education. However, this also highlighted the impact on the mental health of students, who were already experiencing overuse of the internet and electronic devices prior to the pandemic. In response, Tecnologico de Monterrey, a private Mexican university that also offers high school programs, launched the "Unplugged Day” initiative, which encouraged students to disconnect from electronic devices and participate in physical, cultural, creative, or reflective activities. This study applied a voluntary survey to 1850 students from March to May 2021 on a weekly basis, with the aim of analyzing symptoms of insomnia, emotions, perceptions of online education, sources of stress, and the need for professional support to manage their emotions in relation to their participation in Unplugged Day activities. Our results, obtained through a quantitative methodology, confirmed the impact of the emergency, lockdown, and forced remote education on the mental health of students. Furthermore, the results revealed that the Unplugged Day initiative is a strategy that promoted students' well-being during online education. The respondents also suggested strategies for promoting mental health and well-being of learners, whether in an emergency or not. These findings provide valuable information for governments and educational institutions to implement policies and strategies for planning education in emergency situations and for addressing the ongoing global problems of stress and mental health, which are related to the increasing use of electronic devices and the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity of global society. It is our responsibility to improve education so that it can play its role in preserving cultural heritage, overcoming adversity, rebuilding after catastrophes, and shaping a better future for generations to come. © 2023 by the authors.
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The article highlights social factors of mental health and well-being of older Russians based on the results of wave sociological studies of the perceived quality of life for 2002-2019 and the author's representative survey of older Russians in 2022. Age, gender and employment are the most significant determinants not only of social activity, but also of mental health and emotional well-being. At the same time, the study shows that the pandemic had a multidirectional impact on perceived quality of life among older Russians. Compared to the pre-pandemic situation, after the relaxation of restrictive measures, the parameter of social activity increased significantly, the parameter of mental health remained virtually unchanged, but the emotional problems of elderly Russians became more acute. Due to the severe restrictions for older people, the long period of isolation, and for working pensioners - also due to the need to restructure their work remotely - stress, anxiety and worry have affected everyday life.
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Objectives: Many people were infected by COVID-19 and for a minority of them, symptoms persisted beyond twenty days. These symptoms are multi-systemic, fluctuating, and impact the quality of life. Long COVID was first defined by patients themselves in the spring of 2020 to describe their recovery problems. Specifically, long COVID is defined as "a constellation of physical and mental symptoms which can persist or emerge afterwards, generating a multi-systemic and disabling syndrome, which varies from patient to patient and fluctuates over time". The persistence of COVID symptoms, the decrease in the quality of life, the uncertainly about the future sometimes accompanied by a low level of social support perceived in the medical and personal entourage may have triggered the occurrence of a depressive disorder in patients with long COVID. The objective of this research was to study the effect of long COVID symptoms, of uncertainty and the impairment of quality of life on the development of depressive symptoms, while identifying the impact of moderating variables such as coping strategies and social support. Material(s) and Method(s): Two hundred and fourteen participants with long COVID (aged 18-68, M = 44, SD = 11), including 93 % females (n = 200) and 7% males (n = 14), participated in this cross-sectional quantitative study between the months of April and June 2022. They described their symptoms and responded to five scales: the Evaluation of Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (EII), the Coping Strategies Checklist (WCC), the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36-item health survey (MOS SF-36), the Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (QSSP), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Result(s): 91% of the participants reported symptoms of fatigue (n = 171), 52% a loss of concentration (n = 111), 51% pain (n = 110), 49 % trouble sleeping (n = 104), and 41% memory problems (n = 88). Compared with the general population, they presented a poorer quality of life, as well as high scores for anxiety, depression, and intolerance of uncertainty. Scores on coping strategies were also higher than the norms for the general population, and scores on satisfaction with social support were generally good. It was also found that the variables of intolerance of uncertainty, quality of life, and depression all correlated with each other. Furthermore, the regression analysis revealed predictors of depression. The areas of quality of life and emotional well-being (beta = -0.41, t(199) = -6.23, P < 0.01) and fatigue/energy (beta = -0.16, t(199) = -2.83, P < 0.01) were negative predictors of depression, as was the problem-focused coping score (beta = -0.14, t(199) = -2.84, P < 0.05). Symptoms of the disorder related to concentration difficulties (beta = 0.27, t(199) = 5.16, P < 0.01) and those impacting projects (beta = 0.18, t(199) = 3.31, P < 0.01) were positive predictors of depression. The second finding of this study is that people treated specifically for their long COVID had significantly lower scores for anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty despite lower scores for certain dimensions of quality of life. The individuals who took part in our study also developed more problem-based coping strategies and reported more availability of and satisfaction with social support. Lastly, in terms of quality of life, the treated population expressed better mental health. Conclusion(s): The study showed that, in addition to the effects of long COVID symptoms, quality of life, and coping strategies on the onset of symptoms of depression, the specific treatment of patients with long COVID seemed to constitute in itself a protective factor against depression and anxiety. It therefore would seem essential that any patient suffering from long COVID should receive multidisciplinary care specific to this pathology.Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS
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Worldwide, during COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare professionals have been exposed to professional and existential stress. The aims of this study were to evaluate of the emotional impact, the degree of resilience of medical staff, immediately after exposure to the risk of COVID-19. Material and methods: e enrolled 64 participants (30 doctors and 34 nurses), from the Emergency Department of the "Sf. Spiridon" County Clinical Emergency Hospital from Iasi. Each participant completed a self-report 63 items questionnaire. Self-perceived stress, de-pression symptoms, anxiety symptoms were measured in our research. SPSS 27.0 software was used for data analysis. Results: We have identified statistically significant difference between medical doctors and nursed regarding the possibility of managing the critical situa-tion at the workplace and the difficulty understanding the situation at workplace. Sleep qual-ity, positive emotions and life satisfaction need to be improved to increase the psychological resilience of healthcare professionals working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclu-sions: Doctors constitute the group with the lowest levels of psychological resilience among health care workers. This study confirms the need to improve positive emotions and weaken negative emotions of healthcare professionals.
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Background: The benefits of physical training on exercise capacity, pulmonary functioning, and health-related quality of life for people with cystic fibrosis (CF) is well documented [1], meaning it is currently considered part of standard CF care to encourage a physically active lifestyle [2,3]. COVID-19 limited opportunities for people with CF to undergo structured exercise programs in the hospital, gym, or leisure center. To address this, we launched three progressive on-demand exercise programs on Beam (a specialist online exercise, education and wellbeing platform for the CF community, www.beamfeelgood.com) aimed at varying disease severity and baseline fitness levels. Each 12-session program was curated by a CF physiotherapist and designed to build strength and cardiovascular fitness, improve CF symptom management, and increase confidence to exercise. Participants were offered remote coaching to support completion of the program, including email and text support, and joint workouts. Here,we look at the impact of this program on self-reported measures of health and exercise perceptions. Method(s): Adults with CFwere invited via social media to participate in one of three Getting Started exercise programs on Beam. Participants selfselected the program that was most suited to them based on their disease severity and current fitness levels, as outlined in Table 1. Participants were asked to complete pre- and post-program surveys evaluating their general health, emotional wellbeing, appetite, sleep, motivation, enjoyment, confidence, and time and limitations to exercise on a five-point scale. Result(s): Between November 2021 and March 2022, of 71 people signed up for a Getting Started program, 36 completed a minimum of one class, and 16 completed the entire 12-sessions in a program. Of the 16 who(Table Presented) Audience and aims of the three Beam programs completed a program, 75% felt more motivated, 68% felt fitter, 75% felt stronger, and 65.5% were happier. All said their enjoyment of exercise was the same or more than before (37.5% saying they enjoyed it more), and 43.7% said they became more confident. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion(s): This work suggests that CF-specific online exercise programs have the potential to increase strength and cardiovascular fitness levels as well as motivation, confidence, and enjoyment to exercise in adults with CF, although these outcomes were self-reported, and a research trial to evaluate impact on clinical outcome measures is warranted. Additionally, further research and service development is required to improve the programs and increase activation and completion of the exercise programs with greater consideration of behavior change interventions.Copyright © 2022, European Cystic Fibrosis Society. All rights reserved
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Purpose of study The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted medical education on multiple levels, and medical students have been forced to adjust to distance learning, altered clinical opportunities, and standardized testing inconsistencies. We sought to identify the effects of these dramatic deviations on medical students' career plans. Methods used We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of Johns Hopkins medical students between 7/13/2020 and 9/9/ 2020 in order to assess the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on students' career decisions. The survey items were developed to cover topics ranging from physical and emotional well-being during the pandemic, as well as perceptions of the effects on career development. Respondents rated statements according to a 5-point Likert scale, with a score of 1 representing 'strongly disagree', 2 'somewhat disagree', 3 'neutral', 4 'somewhat agree', and 5 'strongly agree'. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables. Summary of results Of the 585 eligible medical students, we had a final sample of 76 responses (13% response rate). Twenty-five (25/71, 35%) of those who responded had friends or family members who had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Students felt neutral regarding having more time to explore research projects (Mean +/- SD;3.06 +/- 1.18) and hobbies (3.43 +/- 1.28), as well as more time to spend with friends or family members (3.34 +/- 1.37). Most survey respondents somewhat disagreed that they considered quitting medical school during the pandemic (1.55 +/- 1.10). Students somewhat agreed that they view the field of medicine more positively since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (3.60 +/- 1.09). Respondents somewhat agreed that they would be unable to explore other specialties and find their best fit (3.55 +/- 1.32), but they felt neutral regarding level of competitiveness for their desired field (2.71 +/- 1.08). We found that the minority (4/66, 6%) of students had considered changing their specialty. Students felt neutral in terms of their Step 1 (3.25 +/- 1.05) or Step 2 (2.81 +/- 1.02) score deterring them from future career opportunities. Conclusions The majority of medical students have experienced barriers in their career pathway as a direct cause of COVID-19 restrictions on medical education, including the ability to explore different specialties to discover their best fit or find a chance to network with mentors. However, despite these obstacles, most students remain committed to medicine.
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This chapter reports on-the-ground observations of teaching in general and special education in the United States during the pandemic. These observations are intended to indicate some of the practical problems faced by general and special education teachers, not only in the United States. It offers suggestions for needed research regarding the details-the "nitty-gritty" of instruction and behavior management and how these might be different for in-person and virtual teaching. The observations and suggestions are intended to spur research of the problems that describe and help researchers think of other issues or difficulties they might address. More than two years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, many schools in the United States were completely or partially closed for in-person learning. Special education has become extremely uncertain for many students with disabilities placed in general education, sometimes leaving them "in limbo", as some have put it. Schools have been working fervently to increase students' social/emotional well-being, but students are still left with high levels of stress and anxiety, negatively affecting their success in school. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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Purpose of Study: Fatigue is a confusing blend of feelings and actions that makes us feel strangely out of place. It has a significant negative impact on physical and emotional well-being, affecting the quality of life of patients. Fatigue has been poorly understood, due to its complex differential diagnosis, ranging from endocrine and respiratory to psychiatric disorders. In Wyoming, there has been an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms during the pandemic. Additionally, State budget cuts have caused a reduction in mental health services. Therefore, Primary care doctors must discuss, inform, and screen for mental health problems related to fatigue in the community due to the combination of rising mental health symptoms and declining mental health resources. Increasing screening for fatigue, using a Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), as an early intervention to address physical and/or mental Fatigue in primary care clinics, in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Methods Used: In primary care, there has been an increasing number of patients presenting with signs of fatigue, especially after the pandemic, which needs to be better understood. Currently, there is not a widespread gold-standard screening tool for Fatigue in primary care practice. Upon literature review, a simple three min, 10-item self-report questionnaire called the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) addresses both physical and mental fatigue, ranging from lack of motivation to lack of energy. Summary of Results: FAS should be integrated into primary care clinics in Rock Springs, Wyoming with other screening questionnaires such as the anxiety/depression screening, to screen for and measure the severity of fatigue. Patients with physical fatigue along with shortness of breath and recent COVID exposure can benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation, whereas Patients with mental fatigue along with nausea, vomiting, and a recent chemotherapy session, can benefit from a counseling session and blood tests. Conclusion(s): FAS along with the history of present illness and physical exam will help guide the diagnosis with different clinical tests, blood tests, imagining studies, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and/or medications.
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Outcomes: 1. Articulate the risk, benefits, and outcomes of compassionate care visits during restricted visitation in nursing homes as they pertain to psychological, social, and spiritual domains of care. 2. Explore potential approaches to improve care for people living with serious illness in nursing homes while balancing risk/benefit and equitable access to resources for safety precautions during restricted visitation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced strict guidance for compassionate care visitation (CCV) in nursing homes (NHs) to protect residents and facilities from outbreak yet permit residents' visitors at the end of life. As a result, seriously ill NH residents, not imminently dying, experienced enormously high rates of social and physical isolation, and staff were left to interpret guidance and manage who could and could not have CCV. This qualitative descriptive study intended to illustrate NH staffs' understanding, use, and perception of risk around CCVs for residents experiencing serious illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted semi-structured interviews and analyzed data using directed content analysis to assess staffs' definition of CCVs, their facilities' use of CCVs, and staffs' perceptions of the risks and benefits of CCVs. Participants (N=24) included licensed and unlicensed nursing staff (eg, RN, LPN, CNA), social workers, and activities directors;were mostly female (88%) and White (79%);and had more than 3 years of experience working in NHs (79%). Results indicate the definition and use of CCVs simultaneously expanded over time supported by three themes: visits for those imminently dying, visits to support psychosocial needs, and visits to alleviate family concern. Throughout the themes, we found: 1) the benefits of CCVs-improved physical and emotional well-being-outweighed the risk of COVID-19 transmission and 2) the risks of CCVs were perceived as minimal when adequate safety precautions (e.g., screening, personal protective equipment, and vaccination) were available and used as risk mitigation strategies. The findings highlight the need to consider the physical and psychosocial consequences of social isolation of NH residents while expediently assessing the risk/benefit profile of CCVs and viral transmission and ensuring equitable access to safety precautions in NHs during public health crises.Copyright © 2023
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Background/Purpose: Young adults with cancer (YAs), ages 18-39, often feel "stuck": they do not identify with children in pediatric clinics, nor older adults in medical oncology. YAs have unique psychosocial challenges that create significant disruptions. At a stage where peers are the primary social support, YAs express feelings of isolation and yearning for normalcy, especially on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic. To combat this isolation, social programs are only offered to patients under age 18, leaving a gap in YA support. Without opportunities to connect with others who understand similar experiences, YAs lose essential access to informal peer support that could drastically shape their coping. Method(s): The Young Adult Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute planned and implemented two in-person social events to connect the YA community outside of hospital walls. Event 1: Patients with metastatic cancer were invited with one guest to attend an MLB baseball game in a private suite. Event 2: Patients were invited with one guest to attend an outdoor fall Block Party *at a local food hall. Each attendee received a favor bag of items to encourage emotional well-being. Access barriers were lowered by covering costs of food/ beverage, parking, and offering handicap accessibility options. Result(s): Attendance at both events exceeded expectations, with 15 individuals (8 patients, 7 caregivers) at event 1 and 74 individuals (42 patients, 32 caregivers) at event 2. Some YAs decided to attend alone, signifying a strong desire to connect with others outside existing social circles. Inviting caregivers provided the experience of meeting other caregivers and normalized cancer's impact on the family. Post-event comments included: "I never knew there were so many YAs";"We were so happy to meet other wonderful examples of strength! It really comforted us so much.thank you for helping us cope!";"Everyone was so relaxed and happy". Conclusions and Implications: These programmatic events highlight the benefit of social opportunities for YAs and caregivers. Spending time together in-person outside of the medical setting allows YAs to build meaningful connections and reduce loneliness. Future endeavors for YAs ought to acknowledge the gaps for this age group by implementing programs that meet YAs where they are in their life stage and cancer experience.
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The Australian response to COVID-19 demonstrates how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, partnership, and self-determination are critical in ensuring public health measures and pandemic response planning is effective for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This chapter outlines the key evidence-based recommendations and actions developed by three national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led groups, in meaningful partnership with government, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander response to COVID-19, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities, has been renowned across the world. This highlights the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance and leadership in leading the pandemic response for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and further illustrates the strengths of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander response to COVID-19 when priority reforms are heard and implemented by government. Throughout this chapter, mental health and well-being responses related to COVID-19 are particularly emphasised. Mental health experts predict that the mental health and well-being issues exacerbated by the pandemic will persist for many years (Savage, Coronavirus: The possible long-term mental health impacts, 2020). The mental health and well-being impacts of COVID-19 are of particular significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who experience significant well-being disparities associated with the historical, political, and social determinants of health, arising from colonisation (Dudgeon et al., Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and practice, 2014). Together, the recommendations outlined here provide an effective base to plan for the long-term recovery of mental health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from COVID-19 and ensure the preparedness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for future pandemics. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.
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The mental health of fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians (FTSMPs) around the United States is a subject that needs additional exploration. Currently, there is little research exploring how FTSMPs address their mental health on a routine basis. Using the theory of secondary trauma stress to help navigate this study, the purpose of this expressive, all-purpose qualitative study is to improve the understanding of FTSMPs' perceptions of their mental health and the kinds of strategies used to manage these issues. This is a general qualitative study. All interviews were conducted via video communication platforms such as Zoom. The final sample included 35 FTSMPs: 25 men and 10 women. Data collection used a semi-structured interview approach. Data analysis was carried out using NVivo 12 qualitative data analysis software. Four themes emerged: mental health matters affect individual daily lives of FTSMPs; FTSMPs correlate mental health struggles with stress and anxiety; FTSMPs experience barricades when seeking support for mental health issues; and FTSMPs have poor mental health support-seeking behaviors. Results highlight openings for hospitals and private practice institutions, including producing a maintainable work-life equilibrium for FTSMPs and offering these FTSMPs access to mental health services. These recommendations may diminish exhaustion amongst several FTSMPs, a product detrimental to patients, providers, and hospitals.
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Mental Health Services , Physicians , Male , Humans , Female , Mental Health , Fellowships and Scholarships , Qualitative ResearchABSTRACT
COVID-19 prompted distress and increased reliance on digital mental health interventions, which previously demonstrated low rates of retention and adherence. This single-arm trial evaluated whether self-guided, web-based, positive affect regulation skills (PARK) were engaging and associated with changes in well-being during the pandemic. Over 6 weeks, PARK delivers brief lessons and practices in skills designed to increase positive emotions: noticing positive events, savoring, gratitude, mindfulness, positive reappraisal, personal strengths, and self-compassion. Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) computer adaptive tests of anxiety, depression, social isolation, positive affect, and meaning and purpose were administered at baseline, post-intervention, and 6 months after baseline. Retention and usage of PARK were measured by the web-based assessment and intervention platforms. The sample (n = 616) was predominantly female, non-Hispanic, white, and well-educated. Of those who completed baseline, only 42% completed a follow-up assessment; 30% never logged into PARK. Among those who did, 86% used at least one skill, but only 14% completed PARK. Across retention and usage metrics, older age predicted more engagement. In multivariable models, people of color and people with greater baseline anxiety were more likely to complete PARK. All well-being indicators improved over time, with greater improvements in anxiety and social isolation among participants who accessed at least one PARK skill compared to those who did not. Retention and usage rates mirrored pre-pandemic trends, but within this select sample, predictors of engagement differed from prior research. Findings underscore the need for additional efforts to ensure equitable access to digital mental health interventions and research. Trials registration: NCT04367922.
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The ongoing pandemic has brought the world into a paralytical scenario except for the health care workers, which turned their ‘nights into nightmares'. The pervasiveness of stress, anxiety, and depression among the frontline healthcare fraternity is a significant concern for the stakeholders in the healthcare sector. The physical, mental, and emotional well-being of these COVID warriors are at stake due to the protracted period of exposure to the pandemic. This study explores the moderating roles of resonant leadership (RL) and workplace spirituality (WPS) on the constructs, psychological distress (PD), and organizational commitment (OC). Current research employs an exploratory research design. It used the purposive sampling technique and obtained data from various hospitals of four states in India, which experienced the biggest impact from COVID-19. Researchers analyzed the responses from 415 nurses and tested the hypothesis using structural equation modeling AMOS;moderating effects are tested using interaction term and slope test methods. Results show that psychological distress is inversely correlated to organizational commitment, but the impact of the moderating effect of resonant leadership and workplace spirituality decrease psychological distress and increase organizational commitment. The results suggest specific performance implications for HR theory and practice, especially within healthcare organizations.
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Introduction: Changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the functioning of different social systems, including the educational one. Closing educational institutions and transferring the educational process to online platforms posed new challenges for students' academic functioning and well-being in these unexpected circumstances. Aim(s): This study aimed to explore the role of university students' academic functioning and personality in predicting their subjective well-being during the online studying implemented in Croatia due to the pandemic caused by the coronavirus. Method(s): A sample of 505 university students from different Croatian faculties participated in the online survey, which included their ratings of adjustment to the online learning environment, related difficulties in learning and self-regulation, perception of the online education's quality, the level of life disruption caused by the pandemic, personality traits, and subjective well-being measures (life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect). Result(s): Results generally revealed that certain aspects of students' academic functioning during online studying as well as their personality explained a significant proportion of the subjective well-being measures' variance. Also, the perceived level of life disruption caused by the pandemic and neuroticism were the strongest predictors of students' subjective well-being, followed by extraversion and conscientiousness. Conclusion(s): Obtained results indicate that some aspects of academic functioning upon the transition to online studying could contribute to students' subjective well-being and should be considered when planning interventions to increase their well-being and enhance the quality of the online learning environment in these challenging times.Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Semmelweis University, Institute of Mental Health, Budapest.
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Social networks have become an integral part of our society. The social media environment is flooded with content presented by people with narcissistic personality traits, which leads to a distorted picture of reality. For this reason, social networks are becoming an important psychosocial factor in the pathogenesis and course of affective disorders. The main contribution of research on the impact of social networking on mental health is in elucidating the mechanisms and factors that influence psychological well-being and depressive symptoms. the main mechanisms are considered to be the mechanism of expansion of social capital and the mechanism of social comparison. Recently, the fear of missing out, which is a risk factor by itself and risk factor for problematic and passive social media use as well, has also come to the fore in network research. key factors include the amount of time spent on social networks and the way social networks are used. Current research points to the negative impact of passive use of social networks and the positive impact of active use of social networks in relation to depressive symptoms and psychological well-being. Research into the influence of social networks on the subjective well-being was also significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the need of isolation and social distance. An important result of the studies during the pandemic is the finding that the active use of social networks has a positive effect on the subjective well-being only if it serves as a supplement and not as a substitute for face-to-face contact in the real world. Knowledge of the factors and mechanisms of social networks impact on depressive symptoms and psychological well-being can be formulated in the form of several practical recommendations, presented in the following text.Copyright © 2022 TIGIS Spol. s.r.o.. All rights reserved.
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For about two years, we have collectively mourned material, economic, and emotional loss caused by COVID-19. Measures taken to prevent the spread of the virus have contributed to the deterioration in people's mental health. According to scientific evidence, boredom, isolation, helplessness, lack of control, uncertainty, fear of dying, have had an impact on the well-being. There is an increase in the exacerbation of symptoms and pre-existing conditions of psychopathologies and the appearance of new symptoms. However, it is argued that the COVID-19 pandemic has helped people learn more about themselves and their capacities. This article is a narrative review, not intended to be exhaustive, but aims to address emotional well-being by highlighting the identification and use of character strengths as a coping strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. I discuss how character strengths play a positive and significant role in increasing resilience in people who experienced adverse situations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Abstract (Spanish) Por aproximadamente dos anos hemos vivido un duelo colectivo por la perdida material, economica y emocional provocada por la pandemia de COVID-19. Las medidas tomadas para evitar la propagacion del virus han contribuido al deterioro de la salud mental de las personas. Se documenta en la literatura que el aburrimiento, aislamiento, impotencia, falta de control, incertidumbre, preocupacion, y miedo a morir, han tenido un impacto en todas las dimensiones del bienestar. Tambien, se registra un aumento en la exacerbacion de sintomas y condiciones preexistentes de psicopatologia y aparicion de nuevos sintomas. No obstante, se plantea que la pandemia de COVID-19 ha ayudado a las personas a aprender mas sobre si mismas y sobre sus capacidades. Este articulo es una revision narrativa, que no pretende ser exhaustiva, pero que tiene como objetivo abordar el bienestar emocional destacando la identificacion y el uso de las fortalezas de caracter como estrategia de afrontamiento durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Discuto como las fortalezas de caracter impactan y aumentan el desarrollo de la resiliencia en personas que experimentan situaciones adversas. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
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Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in long-term care (LTC) settings and the subsequent mandatory visitor restrictions that were put in place, the provision of behavioral health services in LTC settings was impacted. To examine the pandemic's effect on the provision of psychological services in this setting and its impact on clinicians and their patients, we surveyed 126 licensed mental health clinicians working in LTC settings during the pandemic. The sample consisted of psychologists, social workers, and psychiatry mid-level practitioners from 31 states who had provided mental health care services in LTC settings during the initial 7 months after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency. This exploratory study revealed that the pandemic significantly impacted the availability and use of mental health services in LTC settings. Although there was a reported increase in the use of telehealth services compared to prepandemic frequency, it was noted that LTC residents went long periods of time without access to mental health services. Government-imposed visitor restrictions and pandemic-related restrictions were perceived as negatively impacting the emotional well-being, loneliness, and quality of life of LTC residents. Perceived factors contributing to the financial and emotional impact of COVID-19 on clinicians were explored, and it was noted that more than half of the sample reported experiencing burnout and nearly one third of surveyed clinicians believed they had experienced trauma by providing mental health services in LTC settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding this impact has implications for providing mental health services during the current and future pandemics.
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Considering the paucity of data on long-term Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) intensive care unit (ICU) survivors, we present one-year follow-up results on patients' HRQoL and compare them with those of the already reported 6-month follow-up. We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients in COVID-19 ICU between March and June 2020. A HRQoL analysis was performed six months and 1 year after discharge by means of a short-form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Hospital mortality in 403 ICU COVID-19 patients was 44.9%;further 4.0% died between hospital discharge and 6-month follow-up and only 0.5% died in the next six months. The median physical component of HRQoL increased from 43.7 (interquartile range (IQR): 31.7-52.7) at 6 months to 46.0 (IQR: 38.0-53.0) 1 year after hospital discharge (p = 0.007). In multivariable regression analysis, age >50 (odds ratio (OR) 0.270) and female sex (OR 0.144) were independently associated with reduced physical HRQoL 1 year after discharge. The median mental component of HRQoL increased from 50.6 (IQR: 42.0-55.8) at 6 months to 53.0 (IQR: 47.0-56.0) 1 year after discharge (p = 0.035), with no significant predictors. Increased HRQoL was associated with an improvement in patients' physical status, role functioning, emotional well-being (all p < 0.001) and social functioning (p = 0.007). ICU COVID-19 patients' HRQoL slightly improved 1 year after discharge, when compared to results of the 6-month follow-up. Medications received during ICU stay had no effect on physical or mental HRQoL.Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by MRE Press.