Perceived stress, worries and changes in interpersonal relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic: Psychopathological and cognitive precursors in a 10-year youth cohort

Aims: to investigate if mental disorders and cognitive performance are associated with interpersonal behaviours and negative emotions among youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method(s): This work is part of the Brazilian High-Risk Cohort for Mental Conditions (BHRC), which included 6-12 years-old children at baseline (Year 2010) who participated in an online COVID-19 wave (N = 1.144). Outcomes were factor socres from specifc sections of the international Coronavirus Health and Impact Survey (relationship changes, stress, and concerns related to COVID-19). A structured interview (DAWBA, DSM-IV) assessed externalizing and internalizing disorders. Cognitive predictors were IQ and executive function assessed at baseline. We used Generalized Linear Models adjusting for sex and socioeconomic variables. First, higher IQ (B = 0.0032;t = 2.714;p = .006) and any internalizing disorder prior to the pandemic (B = 0.0902;t = 2.228;p = .026) were associated with higher perceived stress during the pandemic. Second, any externalizing disorder (B = -0.1449;t = -2.066;p = .039) was linked with lower levels of COVID-19-related worries, whilst higher performance in executive function tasks was associated with higher levels (B = 0.1803;t = 4.796;p = .001). Third, higher IQ was linked with negative changes in interpersonal relationships (B = -0.0007;t = -3.371;p = .0007). Conclusion(s): This study showed that lifetime externalizing and internalizing disorders, in addition to cognitive variables at lifetime externalizing and internalizing disorders, in addition to cognitive variables at an early age, were associated with distinct mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Investigating the moderating role of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and suicidal capability in suicidal behavior

Objective: Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the world. The present research aimed to investigate the moderating role of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and suicidal capability in suicidal ideation, behavior, and attempts among the Iranian population. Method(s): The data were analyzed using cross-sectional regression models. The population of this study included 600 students of the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili. The tools used to collect the data in this study were the Patient Health Questionnaire-2, the Depressive Symptom Index-Suicidality Subscale (DSI-SS), the Suicide Attempt Questionnaire, the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (IPTS), the Suicide Capacity Scale-3, the Adverse Childhood Experiences, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, and the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised. Result(s): The results of this study showed that there was an interaction between thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness in suicidal behavior and DSI-SS. The results also showed that the acquired and practical capability subscales (suicidal capability) strengthen the relationship between suicidal behavior and the DSI-SS, on the one hand, and suicide attempt, on the other hand. Conclusion(s): The findings of the study showed that the interpersonal theory of suicide can pave the way to prevent suicidal ideation and behavior in Iranian society, and it is recommended that Iranian practitioners apply the theory in practice.Copyright © 2022 Yerkure Tanitim ve Yayincilik Hizmetleri A.S.. All rights reserved.

Persistence of Symptoms One Year after Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

Background: Long term evolution of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children (MIS-C) is poorly understood. In this report, we described the frequency of persistent symptoms and sequels after one-year monitoring in a cohort of MIS-C patients. Method(s): This is a prospective observational study in under-18-aged patients diagnosed with MIS-C between October 2020 and April 2021 in a tertiary hospital. Data from initial episode was obtained from the Spanish national database and the medical history. A standardized phone questionnaire was done one year after the acute episode. As patients pared by age and sex were included with i) history of acute COVID-19, from the same national database, and ii) with peritonitis diagnosis in the electronic medical record. Data was collected using REDCap and analysed with R. Ethics committee approval was obtained. Result(s): A total of 48 patients were included in the study, 16 in each group. Average age at hospitalization was 11,2 years old [IQR: 6,6-14,4] and 52% (23/48) were male. MIS-C patients presented high frequently 94% (15/16) cardiological complications during hospitalization, in contrast with 19% (3/16) of acute COVID-19 patients and 25% (4/16) of peritonitis group (p< 0.01). All of them resolved after a year except the ones associated to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in a patient with MIS-C that need ECMO assistance. Summary characteristics during acute episode are shown in Table 1. After one-year follow-up, 88% MIS-C patients suffered one or more symptoms, more frequently: headache (44%), fatigue (38%), insomnia (38%) and concentration problems (38%). A total of 56% of COVID-19 patients presented persisted symptoms, mainly fatigue and concentration problems (19%), and 31% in peritonitis group (19% loss of appetite and abdominal pain), (p< 0.001). MIS-C patients visited more frequently the medical professionals due to emotional change, behaviour or interpersonal relationships after the disease [4/16 (25%) in MIS-C vs. 0/16 (0%) in both control groups, p= 0.028]. Conclusion(s): Majority of MIS-C patients have persistent symptoms one year after acute episode, even with the resolution of cardiological complications. Frequency of long term symptoms in MIS-C patients is significantly higher than in COVID-19 hospitalized and than in a control group of surgical peritonitis patients. Summary characteristics during acute episode.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences on children's internet addiction and use of smartphone and tablet

BACKGROUND: Digital devices have represented a fundamental resource for maintaining communication relationships during the period of restrictive measures imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However it is evident that this period has contributed to increase the risks connected to the inappropriate use of digital devices. The aim of our study is to demonstrate how the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown had an impact on children's use of digital devices. METHOD(S): One hundred and thirty children aged between six and 18 from Montalto di Castro were recruited in the study carried out in November 2020. All participants were asked to fill in two identical questionnaires: questions of the first questionnaire were related to the pre-lockdown period, while questions of the second questionnaire were related to the period between March and November 2020. RESULT(S): The average age of the 130 participants was 11.8+/-2 years. The amount of time spent by using digital devices is significantly lower in the pre-lockdown period than in the lockdown period (P<0.02). The smartphone addiction index is significantly lower in the pre-lockdown period (P<0.001). The analysis of headaches in the early morning hours - considered as one of the effects deriving from the use of the smartphone before sleeping - showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). There are also significant differences related to physical activity and its frequency, with data showing the increase of children who did not perform physical activity (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION(S): This study does not only show a constant increase over time of the smartphone/tablet use, but also how the pandemic and social restrictions have worsened the phenomenon itself. This is particularly evident for the duration of exposure to screens, the addiction to smartphones, the quality of sleep and the practice of physical activity.Copyright © 2021 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA.

Basic needs of the first batch of medical staff in the fever clinic of Peking union medical college hospital during Coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak: A qualitative study.

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the basic needs of medical staff during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in a fever clinic, so as to provide a reference for the global epidemic medical teams. Methods A semi-structured qualitative interview outline was designed, including: (1) work level: Working hours, working intensity, and safety guarantee in a fever clinic;(2)life level: Diet, sleep, and physical comfort;(3)psychological level: Emotion, pressure, coping style, and interpersonal resources. The basic needs of the first batch of the fever clinic in Peking Union Medical College Hospital was studied by open telephone interviews. Results A total of 37 medical staff were interviewed, including 8 males (21.6%) and 29 females (78.4%). Among them, there were 16 doctors (43.2%), 19 nurses (51.4%), and 2 medical technicians (5.4%). In terms of work settings, the ideal continuous working time was 4-6 hours per shift. There should be pro re nata positions during extremely high workload, and sufficient personal protective equipment was the key to safety. In terms of living conditions, providing meals according to different shifts was important for dietary needs, and sleeping pills were temporarily needed for sleep. In terms of psychological reactions, nervousness and worrying were relatively common. Family and colleagues were important resources of support. Sport could help relieve physical and psychological stress, and psychological support from psychologists was helpful in reducing their negative emotions. Conclusions The basic needs of medical staff should be respected so as to keep the efficacy of their work. We suggest that medical staff can rest after each 4-6 h working shift. Personal protective equipment should be sufficient. Psychological support should be noted in all of them and provided when necessary.Copyright © 2021, Peking Union Medical College Hospital. All rights reserved.

Mental health predictors of medical staff in the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic in Poland

Aim of the study: To identify the sociodemographic predictors of general functioning, stress, anxiety and depression in Polish medical workers' group in the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic. Material(s) and Method(s): A cross-sectional observational study using an online questionnaire was conducted via both professional organizations and social media groups. A total of 303 completed responses were received. More than half of participants (54.8%) work in public hospitals, the majority was females (77.6%), nurses (38.3%), the age was ranged from 22 to 68 years (M = 41.37;SD = 11.38). The semi-structured online questionnaire covered following areas: (1) general sociodemografic data, including health state and COVID-19 related questions;(2) psychological impact and mental health, measured by GHQ-30 and DASS-21. Result(s): Overall, our results showed that sex, years of experience and profession have predictive power to explain mental health being of medical workers during COVID-19. In our study, females reported worse general functioning (GHQ-30) and higher stress (DASS-21) than males. Longer working experience is predictor of better interpersonal relationships (GHQ-30). Discussion(s): Years of experience and gender accounted for 27% of the variance of the level of stress in medical staff group. With the years of experience of healthcare professionals, the stress decreases. Nurses reported less severity of anxiety than other medical workers. We assume those results are connected with education process as well as experience level. Conclusion(s): It may be important to develop a personalized intervention, considering the main predictors of mental well-being. Authorities should consider creating the tailored-made programs for medical professions.Copyright © 2023 Polish Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Psychological Profiles of Positive Mental Health of Women in Situation of Confinement Due to COVID-19

Background: The world health organization has indicated that the problem of COVID-19 and confinement generated strong psychological impacts on the world population. Much of the research has focused on studying mental health in different population groups, leaving aside a positive mental health perspective. Objective(s): The present research intended to establish positive mental health profiles in confined women due to COVID-19 during 2020. Method(s): The factors of personal satisfaction, prosocial attitude, self-control, autonomy, problem-solving, self-actualization, and interpersonal relationships were assessed through the application of Lluch's positive mental health scale, in a sample of 202 confined women in the Department of Sucre, Colombia, selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling. In addition, cluster analysis models were applied to identify psychological profiles of positive mental health and characterize sociodemographic variables, the selected model was evaluated and validated using the statistical technique of discriminant analysis using Minitab 18 software. Results and Discussion: A positive mental health differentiation in women is shown from which four psychological profiles of positive mental health could be identified, with scores of 14.10 in profile 1, 11.41 in profile 2, 9.15 in profile 3, and 7.56 in profile 4. The positive mental health factors used showed an ability to discriminate in 92.6% of the cases in the profiles. Conclusion(s): The identified profiles are significant and important to characterize psychometric profiles of positive mental health of confined women, which are important results for their diagnosis and the development of public policies for their treatment.Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.

Perceived Stress and Association with Sociodemographic, Interpersonal Relationship and COVID-19 Lockdown Related Stress in South Africa

Background: COVID-19 pandemic was declared a global public health emergency in March 2020. South Africa, like many countries, was not spared from this pandemic. In March 2020, the president announced a nationwide lockdown with social restrictions aimed to curb the spread of the virus. Such lockdown restrictions disrupted the normal day to day life for South Africans, leading to personal stress. Objective: The current study aimed to explore perceived stress and lockdown related stress among South African adults during the first wave of COVID 19. Methods: This study was cross-sectional in nature, using a sample of 203 adult males and females who were selected using a convenience sampling method on online social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. Participants completed an online survey that assessed socio-demographic information, perceived stress and lockdown related stress. Results and Discussion: A significant statical difference between males and females regarding their experience of lockdown related stress t (281) = 1.35, p < .004 was found. Relationship status was also significant for lockdown related stress t (281) =-2.02, p< .001 and perceived stress t= (281) =-.08, p< .000. No significant statistical difference between young and older adults in their experience of lockdown related stress and perceived stress was found. Conclusion: Male participants reported more lockdown related stress, while female participants reported more perceived stress. There were no age differences in lockdown related stress and perceived stress. People without intimate relationships reported more lockdown related stress and perceived stress than people with intimate relationships. © 2023 Maepa et al.

Improving Patient Safety with Staff Wellbeing

Introduction: The wellbeing of hospital staff can influence the quality of patient care & safety. Following the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the longstanding issues of an overstretched & overstressed workforce within the UK National Health Service has been again highlighted. This has resulted in a renewed organisational drive to provide resources for staff health & wellbeing. Many of these are self-directed & targeted at helping the individual improve their management of external stress independently, but it has been acknowledged in the literature that local primary interventions to modify or eliminate stress to staff wellbeing must also be considered. Method(s): Staff feedback was obtained via informal interviews on the wellbeing interventions established in the local haemophilia service. Interventions evaluated included: The development of practice supporting Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs). DailyMDTwellbeing check during safety huddles. Clinical supervision time. Social interventions such as nutrition focuses, staff feedback methods & physical activity focuses. Result(s): Feedback demonstrates that social interventions implemented such as team building participation in the Haemophilia Society's Race Around the World, the HeamTeam Shoutout Board to recognise a colleague's accomplishment & offer the opportunity to show appreciation for their work, & the formation of weekly Soup & Scoop Clubs to encourage healthier eating in the department were all beneficial for staff's overall wellbeing. There was a greater sense of belonging within the team & improved interpersonal relations. The introduction of interventions such as the SOP & clinical supervision ensured staff were clear of roles & responsibilities, preventing missed opportunities to support patients and develop staff. The daily wellbeing check-in provided recognition and value of an individual's wellbeing. Discussion/Conclusion: The interventions instigated by the Sheffield Haemophilia and Thrombosis team required minimal resources & were not time commitment heavy, focusing on creating a wellness culture with regular, sustainable opportunities to engage in wellbeing conversation. However, a more comprehensive review is required to determine the long-term effects on patient care and safety outcomes.

Quality of life of a group of Ecuadorian health professionals in covid-19

Introduction: Covid-19 was the cause of a pandemic that claimed thousands of human lives. The pandemic has caused health professionals mental health problems that influence emotional, psychological and social well-being, which affects the way they think, feel and act in daily life. Objective(s): To de-termine the quality of life of health personnel during the Co-vid-19 pandemic in public institutions in the city of Cuenca. Material(s) and Method(s): Descriptive, cross-sectional and observational study. The study sample was 338 health professionals belonging to the Ministry of Public Health of the Canton Cuenca, province of Azuay-Ecuador, doctors, nurses, dentists, psychologists, assistants and biochemists who work at differ-ent levels of care were included. Two WHOQOL surveys and the Lazarus and Folkman scale of coping modes were used, for the tabulation of the data the RStudio statistical program was used. Result(s): In the psychological domain, no significant destructuring was found in the personnel studied. In the field of health, it should be noted that the personnel studied reported the inability to carry out the activities they need and the diffi-culty in moving from one place to another. Conclusion(s): When investigating the relationship of health personnel with the envi-ronment, no statistically significant alteration was found, but it was evidenced that social support is a protective factor for the mental health of personnel.Copyright © 2022, Venezuelan Society of Pharmacology and Clinical and Therapeutic Pharmacology. All rights reserved.

The Screen-Mediated Clinical Relationship in Online Group Psychotherapy: Group Dynamics, Setting Management and Style of Conduct in Online Group Psychotherapy

Introduction: Online group psychotherapy has only recently been developed in Italy due to the health emergency. Due to the restrictions, group therapists have dealt the transition from face-to-face to online setting, learning from experience how to manage the clinical relationship mediated by the screen. In particular, the management of the setting, group interactions and the therapeutic style. Method(s):The present study is based on a survey that involved 26 group therapists who agreed to participate and answered the survey during the first three months after the shifting to online practice. The sample was mainly composed of women (67%), with an average age of 55 years and professional experience between 20 and 40 years;the work area was equally distributed between north, central and southern Italy;the participants' career orientation was almost exclusively psychodynamic / psychoanalytic (86%) and the groups were analytic in the private setting, with two exceptions in a public service. The survey was structured in two sections: the first relating to individual online therapy was organized through 4 main areas: (i) the changes in the use of online intervention due to Covid-19;(ii) the virtual set (tting);(iii) the perception of the therapeutic relationship mediated by the screen;(iv) corporeality in the online therapeutic relationship. The second section dealt specifically with online group psychotherapy and explored questions such as the comparison between face-toface and online groups in terms of efficacy, therapeutic factors, interplay and interactions among group participants and challenges in leading online group. Responses were provided on a likert scale, but in many questions the therapist were required to motivate and argue their thought. Data were analyzed through mixed method, occurrence and percentage of the responses were counted and calcu- lated, while through a qualitative analysis the contents were extrapolated from the answers provided by the therapists. Result(s): Results show that the therapists have experienced with difficulty the management of the online setting and finding their most challenging task in three areas: interpersonal relationship, the loss of feelings, and the therapeutic presence. More in general, results gave us an overall picture of how therapists perceived and represent themselves the online group psychotherapy. In their view group online are characterized by the absence of the body (or rather of the body communication), the modification of the perception of emotions, the loss of directionality and reciprocity of the gaze, the alteration of temporality in the online and the changes with respect to the therapeutic presence of the clinician during the session. Moreover, therapists reported the necessity to spend greater resources in online setting, resource in terms of attention, concentration, fatigue, and also to deal with one's own and others' sources of environmental distraction. In line with these perceptions, the majority of therapists reported the need to be more active and more directive in leading the group, as well as the need to maintain control and manage silence, the latter was in effect considered more difficult to manage in the online mode. Conclusion(s): Overall, the results of our survey suggest that there has been a good ability to adapt to the online setting. At the same time, the prevailing representation is that online therapy has quite different characteristics. It also seems that forcing the use of the online setting has diminished the distrust towards this type of therapy. Of course, the small number of therapists involved in the survey does not allow the responses to be considered as representative and limits the possibility of generalizing the Results: It is also important to consider the results in light of the particular situation caused by the pandemic, this leads to the recognition that many issues relating to online therapy are still "open questions" and must therefore be the subject of new research and reflections. Further research, already un ertaken in recent months, will also have to deepen the patients' experience, with respect to their experiences, the differences they found between the two settings, the functioning of the online group, their perception of the main processes and therapeutic factors.

Intergenerational interventions during Covid-19: impact on children's drawings of the elderly and dementia

Background: Positive qualities of children can be used to lighten the burden of dementia for society. Almost every child knows a person with dementia. The primary objective of this study is to connect generations and increase positive interaction by translating the 'hidden victims of the disease' into 'hidden resources'. Method(s): We developed a mobile application ('MemoryHome') based on the ancient mnemonic 'the method of loci' (MoL). The application allows children (n = 31) to construct personalized memory walks throughout the known environment of grandparents and dementia patients. The visual-audio-guide encourages communication between the elder person and the child. The youngsters made drawings of elderly people before and after the combination of meetings with grandparents and an educational trajectory regarding positive ageing of 12 weeks. The current study took place in autumn 2021. Result(s): This study supports research indicating that perceptions of the elderly are malleable and open to change. The predicted a positive shift in the way children view old age after interaction. Findings however showed that older people in the post-test were portrayed more negatively: significantly smaller, more sedentary and in the absence of positive symbols. Conclusion(s): These findings may suggest that the context of the pandemic further embedded negative stereotypical notions of the elderly. Positive interventions are a crucial and urgent antidote to reshape children's attitudes towards ageing. Copyright © 2022 the Alzheimer's Association.

THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND THEMATIC SYNTHESIS OF QUALITATIVE STUDIES AND A REVIEW OF ONLINE FORA

Background/Aims Psychological distress is prevalent in people with inflammatory arthritis. In populations with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA), the risk of developing mental ill-health is high - for depression more than twice that of control populations. Positive emotions are protective against psychological distress and emotional wellbeing is favourably associated with physical illness prognosis. However, the emotional experiences of people who live with axial SpA are not well understood. This study aimed to explore and synthesise qualitative data about the emotional experience of living with axial SpA and identify barriers and facilitators to emotional wellbeing. Methods First, a systematic review and thematic synthesis was conducted. Nine databases were searched from inception to December 2019. Qualitative and mixed methods studies were included if they reported qualitative participant level data about the lived emotional experiences of people with axial SpA and were published in English or German. The search was updated in March 2021. Study quality was assessed using a modified version of the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) qualitative tool. Grey literature was appraised using the Authority, Accuracy, Coverage, Objectivity, Date, Significance (AACODS) checklist. Data were extracted, coded and categorised. Synthesis involved translation of concepts from one study into another and development of descriptive themes. Second, four axial SpA online forums were searched from inception to June 2020 for posts from UK-based individuals with axial SpA containing data about their emotional experiences of axial SpA. Thematic analysis was undertaken. Results Of 10,824 database records screened, 27 studies, published between 1995 and 2020, went forward for synthesis. Study populations included people diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (n=1143), axial SpA (n=53) and non-radiographic axial SpA (n=18). Two studies with mixed populations (n=37) did not specify numbers diagnosed with axial SpA. Most participants were male and had established disease. No studies specifically focused on the psychological experiences of living with axial SpA. 537 posts were identified from online fora, 278 (52%) of which were from men. Seven descriptive themes were generated from the qualitative synthesis: delayed diagnosis: a barrier to emotional wellbeing;disruptive symptoms: a source of mood swings;work disability: a loss of self-esteem;obstacles in interpersonal relationships: a trigger of distress;taking up exercise: 'personal pride' or 'unwelcomed reminders';anti-TNF therapy: hope reignited despite concerns;journey of acceptance: worry mixed with hope. The findings from our review of online fora supported and validated these themes. One additional theme - COVID-19: uncertainty and anxiety during the pandemic - was developed from constructs identified from online posts. Conclusion Our findings highlight substantial negative and mixed emotions experienced by people with axial SpA. However, data about the emotional experiences of women, people diagnosed with non-radiographic axial SpA, and those in the early stages of diagnosis, are limited.

The impact of COVID-19 on the relationships between parents of young people diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and the cystic fibrosis multidisciplinary team

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has seen cystic fibrosis (CF) working practice move to more remote clinical models. This study assesses theimpact of this shift in working patterns on the relationships betweenfamilies of young people with CF and CF multidisciplinary teams (MDT). Inaddition, the study also assessed parents’ perceptions of working remotely.Methods: Six semi-structured interviews with parents of young peopleunder the care of a regional UK CF specialist centre were analysed usinginductive content analysis.Results: Three domains emerged: Interpersonal Relationships, RemoteClinics and CF in the Context of COVID-19. The enduring and closerelationships between the MDT and families were discussed, includingchanges brought about by COVID-19 and changes in working practice.Discussion also focused on the acceptability of remote clinics movingforwards.Conclusions: The importance of the quality of the relationship betweenfamilies and CF MDTs is vital to enhance ongoing care with parentshighlighting key attributes in a successful working relationship. Remoteworking was acceptable in the context of COVID-19 and, with someconsiderations, could be useful moving forward

The dichotomy of social isolation in a global pandemic: when the power to protect actually harms

What was thought to be a short-term disease process, isolated to East Asia, has continued, with forecasts of subsequent "waves" mimicking three separate waves of the 1918 Spanish flu.106 Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has recently warned Congress that COVID-19 cases could ultimately reach 100,000 per day.107 Further, it could be a year or more before an effective vaccine has been created, tested, proven safe, and ready for administration to the world's population.108 Or it could be never, as is the case with the Human Immunodeficiency virus, Zika virus, Hepatitis C Virus, tuberculosis, malaria, West Nile, and others.109 Developing natural immunity through exposure to an active disease is the best type of immunity because it can sometimes provide life-long immunity.110 However, according to the Chief of the World Health Organization ("WHO"), Tedros Ghebreyesus, allowing a dangerous virus, like COVID-19, which is not fully understood to progress unchecked, is simply unethical.111 Therefore, herd immunity is not a feasible option to combat COVID-19.