Living with financial limitations: Psychological effects and social support during the times of COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic and mandatory quarantine, people with high levels of economic limitations (NALE) were more vulnerable to the decrease in business activities. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to compare an Argentine sample of people with low levels of financial limitations (n=344) with another with NALE (n=109). Social support, some psychological symptoms, and several components related to contagion with COVID-19 were analyzed. The non-probabilistic sample was collected online, and the differences were calculated through multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The results showed that participants with NALE scored higher concerning symptoms and lower in relation to social support. The two exceptions consisted of psychoticism and the need for support, where no significant differences were found. It is concluded that, applying the multidimensional vision of social exclusion, the fact that no significant differences were found in relation to the need for support could be considered a key for future research and even public interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) (Spanish) Durante la pandemia del COVID-19 y la cuarentena obligatoria, las personas con niveles altos de limitaciones economicas (NALE) tenian mayor grado de vulnerabilidad ante la disminucion de las actividades comerciales. Por eso, el objetivo del presente estudio comprendio un estudio de diferencias de grupos entre una muestra argentina de personas con niveles bajos de limitaciones economicas (n=344) y otra con NALE (n=109). Para ello, se analizaron el apoyo social, determinados sintomas psicologicos y varios componentes relacionados al contagio con el COVID-19. La muestra no probabilistica se recogio por Internet y las diferencias se calcularon a traves del analisis multivariante de la varianza (MANOVA). Los resultados evidenciaron que los participantes con NALE puntuaron mas alto con respecto a los sintomas y mas bajo con relacion al apoyo social. Las dos excepciones consistian en el psicoticismo y la necesidad de apoyo, donde no se encontraron diferencias significativas. Se concluye que, aplicando la vision multidimensional de la exclusion social, el hecho que no se encontraron diferencias significativas con relacion a la necesidad de apoyo podria considerarse una clave para futuras investigaciones e incluso intervenciones publicas. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Barriers to Care in Veterinary Services: Lessons Learned From Low-Income Pet Guardians' Experiences at Private Clinics and Hospitals During COVID-19.

This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of low-income pet guardians in accessing veterinary care during COVID-19. Participants were recruited through a purposive sampling method: 12 individuals who applied to and met the low-income threshold to access support for veterinary fees from the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) were invited for semi-structured in-depth telephone interviews. Participants indicated that they experienced pandemic-related barriers related to and compounded by their low-income status. Their experiences fit into three categories: the barriers to accessing veterinary care pre-and peri-COVID-19, the emotional impact of compounding barriers related to accessing veterinary care during COVID-19, and the human-animal bond and resilience in the context of COVID-19. Drawing on the One Health, One Welfare approach, we argue that veterinary and animal services should evaluate and improve their support services, particularly programs developed for low-income pet guardians. Based on the participants' recommendations, we propose that veterinary and animal services prepare for future disaster situations by increasing their financial capacity to support people needing assistance, undergoing training to better work with people experiencing financial and emotional stress, and providing easily accessible resources to better distribute knowledge about animal needs and available financial assistance programming. The suggestions are intended to benefit animals, their guardians, and both veterinary and animal service sector workers.

Community Veterinary Medicine Programs: Pet Owners' Perceptions and Experiences.

Many American pet owners struggle financially, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this problem. Yet, the positive effects that companion animals have in people's lives create the need for supportive systems to ensure that financial limitations, and other barriers, do not preclude pet ownership. To help address these barriers, and reach underserved communities, various forms of community-based veterinary medicine programs have been developed across the country. This study assesses two community-based veterinary programs in North Carolina, USA. In addition to perceptions surrounding veterinary services, this study paid specific attention to communication and respect; two additional elements needed for successful community-based veterinary programs. Surveys were given to clients accessing Asheville Humane Society (AHS) mobile veterinary care clinic and Asheville Humane Society (AHS) Affordable Pet Care Clinic. Results of the anonymous survey indicate that the majority of clients had positive veterinary care experiences in terms of both veterinary services and client communication. In conclusion, low-cost or free community veterinary programs-with effective communication, empathy, and cultural competence-can help open the door to future positive veterinary experiences for disadvantaged pet owners.