Fluctuations in mental health in students accessing a university-wide online mental health promotion intervention before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectiveGrowing evidence shows that online mental health interventions for university students are a cost-effective means for addressing mental health problems among university students. This study presents data on the numbers and characteristics of students who engaged in an online mental health promotion intervention called YOLO in the context of a university-wide rollout of the program before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsParticipants completed a questionnaire assessing socio-demographics and mental health (wellbeing and distress). A total of 240 students accessed the program over a 12-month period and of these, 164 provided reliable data.ResultsYOLO was accessed by students representing diverse socio-demographics including domestic vs. international student status, degree level, faculty, ethnicity, and age, although there was an over-representation of females (77.2%). Students who accessed YOLO pre-COVID-19 did not substantially differ across most mental health dimensions from those who accessed it during-COVID-19, although more students reported mild-moderate anxiety symptoms during-COVID than pre-COVID-19. The only socio-demographics significantly associated with mental health were age and degree level. Younger age was related to higher anxiety and 3(rd) and 4(th) year undergraduate students reported poorer mental health comparative to students in other years. Additionally, a higher proportion of these students accessed YOLO during-COVID-19 than at pre-COVID-19.ConclusionThe present data along with findings from other studies that have evaluated YOLO, suggest that online mental health promotion programs that do not require in-person contact are an important and necessary resource for all university students.

The effect of consumer lockdown on the relationship between environmental beliefs and pro-environmental behaviors

This study investigates the disruptive effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on the relationship between environmental beliefs and pro-environmental behaviors. We used a survey conducted in the four major cities of Colombia before COVID-19 arrived in December 2019 and then repeated it in October 2020, after most of the major restrictions on mobility and economic activity had been lifted. The survey captured ecocentric and anthropocentric beliefs using the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) and Pro Environmental Behaviors (PEBS) using 18 questions about energy and water savings, recycling, and sustainable purchasing. In the 2020 survey, we included a measure of the severity of the individual's experience of disruption, including economic, family, and health-related aspects. Controlling for demographic variables, we analyzed (1) descriptive changes in NEP and PEBS, (2) the moderating effect of the disruption on the effect of NEP on PEBS, (3) the direct effect of disruption severity on PEBS, and (4) the moderating effect of severity on the effect of NEP on PEBS in 2020. We found that disruption caused by the lockdown crisis decreased anthropocentric beliefs and slightly increased ecocentric beliefs. This disruption also modified the effects of NEP on PEBS, thereby ameliorating the capacity of NEP to activate PEBS. The severity of experience moderated most of these effects. We discuss the implications of our results for the theory of environmental beliefs and pro-environmental behaviors and offer recommendations to reverse the potential negative effect of the COVID-19 crisis on the promotion of sustainable consumption.

Squaring the Schaverien triangle

Supervision in art therapy is a relationship of learning. It provides opportunities for individuals less experienced in the field to reflect about their practicum work under the guidance of someone more experienced. This chapter covers the psychological effects of virtual art therapy interventions, such as through videoconferencing, which increased with the arrival of the COVID pandemic. It examines the complex ideas of virtual art psychotherapy and its virtual healing qualities since "[i]n analytical psychotherapy ... the main pivot of treatment is transference". Just as Schaverien describes the transference of past experiences as being made "live", the chapter describes how virtual art therapy is "live-online". The interaction with clients through virtual means provides the therapists with new opportunities, such as meeting clients in their own space or allowing a digital method, like the Zoom Whiteboard, for clients to create art without having to buy art materials. The use of the Schaverien Talisman and Scapegoat concepts can be applied in a more intimate way by meeting clients virtually at their own home. Thus, with the added virtual element to therapy, we are squaring the Schaverien triangle. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Efficacy of Virtually-Delivered Qigong/Tai Chi for Depression in Middle- and Older-Age Adults with Bipolar Disorder (QT-BD): A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background : Depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older age bipolar disorder (BD) are associated with decreased quality of life and premature mortality. Yet, currently available pharmacological treatments are limited in efficacy. Mind-body interventions have been shown to improve mood, quality of life, and cognition in other adult populations, and may thus provide a promising therapeutic alternative. Here we conduct the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) examining the efficacy of a group Qigong/Tai Chi intervention (QT-BD) for reducing depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults with BD. As a further innovation during the COVID pandemic, we used Zoom to deliver the group intervention and active control. Methods : We conducted a virtually-delivered 12-week pilot RCT with 23 patients with BD aged >= 40 comparing a QT-BD intervention versus an active control (light exercise). We assessed depressive symptoms (primary outcome), verbal fluency (secondary outcome), and functioning/quality of life (exploratory outcomes) at baseline and 12-weeks. Results : No statistically significant differences were observed between groups for all outcomes (all p's>0.05). However, non-significant decreases in depressive symptoms were found in the subgroup of participants with baseline MADRS scores ≥10 in the QT-BD intervention only (p=0.07). Limitations : Our sample size was limited and the virtually-delivered format may have limited the positive benefits of face-to-face interventions. Conclusions : This novel pilot study suggests that QT-BD may be a feasible and efficacious intervention for reducing depressive symptoms in middle- and older-aged BD, particularly when baseline MADRS is ≥10, warranting further investigation in larger-scale trials.

Setting the scene

"Young People, Violence and Strategic Interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)" brings together data and case studies from a range of SSA countries. While the findings are diverse, a set of themes predominate: they reveal that violence, embedded in everyday lived realities, is a complex and urgent issue that should be comprehensively probed. While moments of political and xenophobic violence are reflected upon, critical attention is firmly on young women and their grappling with sexual and gender-based violence. The COVID lens has magnified micro-struggles and long-standing structural problems showing how inequities and disadvantages have created an infrastructure through which violence has been exacerbated. There is also a focus on masculinities constructed by oppressive histories, social and economic crises, and state disregard, but with the message that marginality should not be reified, nor the gendered practices of young men oversimplified. In all the chapters, contextual specificities and insightful case studies offer thoughts and arguments about the ways in which violence manifests, what interventionist strategies are compelling, and how young people's proactive involvement in interventions could begin to address the problem of violence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

'Like an unbridled horse that runs away with you': a study of older and disabled people during the COVID-19 pandemic and their use of digital technologies

POINTS OF INTERESTThis study explored the experiences of using digital technology by older and disabled people who were social distancing and shielding during the first period of lockdown over the Covid 19 Pandemic.The pandemic saw a greater need for support to use digital technologies as face-to-face social activities were limited.The biggest change in the use of digital technology and support requested from older and disabled people over the lockdown was the growth of video calling.Digital technologies were also used for entertainment like watching online videos, playing computer games, and listening to audiobooks and music.The study found older and disabled people used digital technologies to help them, but the increased use could be challenging and stressful.Both initial and ongoing digital support must be available to older and disabled people, and digital technology support workers need knowledge and experience of digital technology and disability to offer good support. This study explored the uses of digital technologies by older and disabled people who were social distancing and shielding during the early Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. The study considers the benefits, difficulties, and technical support needs of these groups of people during this time. Using a case study methodology, in-depth interviews were undertaken with 11 older and disabled people recruited from a local digital support service, and their support workers. Five main themes were identified by the research team. These were: technology was a mixed blessing and caused frustration;technology use increased during lockdown;technology supported resilience and contributed to identity through 'stimulation, knowledge and friendship';technology needs to be accessible, and support was required to facilitate technology use. Understanding these experiences will enable policymakers, commissioners, and providers to develop better and more responsive digital support for older and disabled people in the future.

Intentions and Behavioural Determinants in the Face of covid-19 Pandemic: A Theory of Planned Behaviour and Risk Perception model

The containment of covid-19 implied challenges for governments and health authorities to motivate citizens to adopt several prevention behaviours (i.e., wearing a face mask and washing hands frequently). This paper aims to identify the factors that encourage people to adopt these behaviours. Our analysis was conducted over data collected by ascofapsi and the Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona about attitudes and beliefs related to the pandemic from 919 people from Colombia. The data was collected using an online snowball sampling between May and June 2020. We found that each prevention behaviour is motivated by a different set of factors. Specifically, based on the theory of planned behaviour, our results suggest that the intention to adopt a preventive behaviour is pre-dicted by a group of variables about subjective norms and attitudes as independent variables and another one linked to perceived control as mediator variables. This suggests that the motivation for prevention behaviours from authorities should be particular to each behaviour and consider the associated particular pattern of motivations and the sociodemographic characteristics and possibilities of action.

Remote and digitally delivered mental health support for care-experienced young people: Some practice-based reflections in response to cummings (2023)

In a recent contribution to this journal, Cummings (2023) reports findings from a preliminary qualitative study of practitioner viewpoints regarding digitally delivered mental health support to care-experienced young people. Cummings' study highlights the need to engage with professional experiences of using digital methods with this group, both during and outside of the COVID-19 pandemic. A response to - and commentary on - Cummings' contribution is provided, to advance discussion of issues identified by the research. We reflect on our experience as practitioners and researchers working in and alongside specialist child and adolescent mental health service teams serving care-experienced children and young people. We focus on workspaces in remote working, therapeutic technique in online and telephone-based care, and virtues and challenges of remote care delivery. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Death Anxiety among Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Nursing Practice

Death anxiety is a worldwide phenomenon among diverse populations, including older adults. However, few studies were located in a literature review that examined how the Covid-19 pandemic influenced the perception of death anxiety among the older adult population. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review article is two-fold: (1) to provide an introductory discussion, based on the literature, regarding how the Covid-19 pandemic and its precautionary measurements provoke death anxiety, including its sub-category of predatory death anxiety, among older adults;and (2) to identify non-pharmacological interventions specific to death anxiety management for gerontological nurses to use during the Covid-19 pandemic or similar pandemics in the future. An intended outcome of this discussion paper is an enhanced understanding of ways to provide effective psychological care to older adults. The focus of discussion includes: the role of sociocultural factors, predatory death anxiety and Terror Management Theory, salient nursing assessment parameters and non-pharmacological interventions to address death anxiety among this population of older adults. In conclusion, gerontological nurses need to demonstrate evidence-based practice taking into consideration their own definition and perceptions of death, the reasons for their beliefs, and the cultural, situational, and spiritual context, in which they practice. © 2023 Horizon Research Publishing. All rights reserved.

Metabolism Pathways of Major Therapeutics for Treating Monkeypox Mono- and Co-infection with Human Immunodeficient Virus or SARS-CoV-2.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic viral disease and remains endemic in tropical regions of Central and West Africa. Since May of 2022, cases of monkeypox have soared and spread worldwide. Confirmed cases have shown no travel history to the endemic regions as seen in the past. The World Health Organization declared monkeypox a global public health emergency in July 2022, and the United States government followed suit one month later. The current outbreak, in contrast to traditional epidemics, has high coinfection rates, particularly with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), and to a lesser extent with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), the pathogen of COVID-19. No drugs have been approved specifically for monkeypox. However, there are therapeutic agents authorized to treat monkeypox under the Investigational New Drug protocol, including brincidofovir, cidofovir, and tecovirimat. In contrast to limited options for monkeypox treatment, there are available drugs specifically for HIV or SARS-CoV-2 infection. Interestingly, these HIV and COVID-19 medicines share metabolism pathways with those authorized to treat monkeypox, par¬ticu¬larly of hydrolysis, phospho¬rylation, and active membrane transport. This review discusses how these pathways shared by these medicines should be considered to gain therapeutic synergy and maximize safety for treating monkeypox coinfections.

Fortifying the Foundations: A Comprehensive Approach to Enhancing Mental Health Support in Educational Policies Amidst Crises.

In recent times, global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and geopolitical conflicts have significantly impacted pupils' mental health. This opinion article presents evidence-based recommendations to bolster mental health support within educational systems, aiming to alleviate the psychological burden faced by students during these challenging times. This article argues that a proactive, holistic approach to mental health is essential for building a resilient educational infrastructure. More than ever, we support the call for the integration of mental health education into the core curriculum, equipping students with vital coping skills and fostering emotional intelligence. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of training educators and staff to identify and address mental health issues. Furthermore, this article highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration involving general practitioners, mental health professionals, community organizations, and policymakers in crafting and implementing support strategies. Educational institutions can effectively leverage the expertise of diverse stakeholders to create targeted interventions by cultivating partnerships. Finally, the significance of continuously evaluating and refining mental health support policies to ensure their efficacy and adaptability in the face of evolving crises is emphasized. Through these comprehensive recommendations, this opinion article seeks to catalyze a transformation in educational policies, prioritize mental health support, and empower pupils to thrive during tumultuous times.

Quantifying the spatial spillover effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on pandemic risk.

BACKGROUND: Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) implemented in one place can affect neighboring regions by influencing people's behavior. However, existing epidemic models for NPIs evaluation rarely consider such spatial spillover effects, which may lead to a biased assessment of policy effects. METHODS: Using the US state-level mobility and policy data from January 6 to August 2, 2020, we develop a quantitative framework that includes both a panel spatial econometric model and an S-SEIR (Spillover-Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered) model to quantify the spatial spillover effects of NPIs on human mobility and COVID-19 transmission. RESULTS: The spatial spillover effects of NPIs explain [Formula: see text] [[Formula: see text] credible interval: 52.8-[Formula: see text]] of national cumulative confirmed cases, suggesting that the presence of the spillover effect significantly enhances the NPI influence. Simulations based on the S-SEIR model further show that increasing interventions in only a few states with larger intrastate human mobility intensity significantly reduce the cases nationwide. These region-based interventions also can carry over to interstate lockdowns. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a framework for evaluating and comparing the effectiveness of different intervention strategies conditional on NPI spillovers, and calls for collaboration from different regions.

Translating School Faculty Experiences Using PBIS into Recommendations for Practice.

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a behaviorally based framework that seeks to improve student outcomes in schools. This framework is implemented at differing levels of intensity within a school based on students' unique needs. Special education teachers and school psychologists are integral pieces of PBIS implementation. Within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, these service providers may face unique challenges in implementing PBIS principles in schools, particularly due to new or adapted role demands and increased feelings of burnout. The current study examined special education teachers' and school psychologists' perceptions of their schools' practices related to PBIS in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic within five dimensions of understanding and school-based support, as well as overall satisfaction with PBIS in their school. Opportunities for professional development and the presence of PBIS teams emerged as major contributors to faculty satisfaction; however, only about half of participants indicated access to these resources. Special education teachers indicated higher levels of satisfaction with their administrative support and school communication practices when compared to school psychologists. Best practices and reflections from interview participants are discussed.

Threshold conditions for curbing COVID-19 with a dynamic zero-case policy derived from 101 outbreaks in China.

By 31 May 2022, original/Alpha, Delta and Omicron strains induced 101 outbreaks of COVID-19 in mainland China. Most outbreaks were cleared by combining non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) with vaccines, but continuous virus variations challenged the dynamic zero-case policy (DZCP), posing questions of what are the prerequisites and threshold levels for success? And what are the independent effects of vaccination in each outbreak? Using a modified classic infectious disease dynamic model and an iterative relationship for new infections per day, the effectiveness of vaccines and NPIs was deduced, from which the independent effectiveness of vaccines was derived. There was a negative correlation between vaccination coverage rates and virus transmission. For the Delta strain, a 61.8% increase in the vaccination rate (VR) reduced the control reproduction number (CRN) by about 27%. For the Omicron strain, a 20.43% increase in VR, including booster shots, reduced the CRN by 42.16%. The implementation speed of NPIs against the original/Alpha strain was faster than the virus's transmission speed, and vaccines significantly accelerated the DZCP against the Delta strain. The CRN ([Formula: see text]) during the exponential growth phase and the peak time and intensity of NPIs were key factors affecting a comprehensive theoretical threshold condition for DZCP success, illustrated by contour diagrams for the CRN under different conditions. The DZCP maintained the [Formula: see text] of 101 outbreaks below the safe threshold level, but the strength of NPIs was close to saturation especially for Omicron, and there was little room for improvement. Only by curbing the rise in the early stage and shortening the exponential growth period could clearing be achieved quickly. Strengthening China's vaccine immune barrier can improve China's ability to prevent and control epidemics and provide greater scope for the selection and adjustment of NPIs. Otherwise, there will be rapid rises in infection rates and an extremely high peak and huge pressure on the healthcare system, and a potential increase in excess mortality.

Acceptance, drivers, and barriers to use eHealth interventions in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome for management of post-COVID-19 symptoms: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Post-COVID-19 syndrome is a new and debilitating disease without adequate treatment options. eHealth could be a reasonable approach for symptom management. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the acceptance for eHealth interventions for symptom management in individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome, as well as drivers and barriers influencing acceptance. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study was conducted from January 19 until 24 May 2022. Recruitment took place with a web-based survey. Acceptance and predictors of eHealth interventions were measured by the extended UTAUT model. Included in the model were the core predictor performance expectancy, social influence, and effort expectancy. Previously diagnosed mental illness was estimated and mental health by using the well-established Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 and the Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale. The effect of sociodemographic and medical data was assessed. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses as well as group comparisons were performed. Results: 342 individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome were examined. The acceptance of eHealth interventions for symptom management was moderate to high (M = 3.60, SD = 0.89). Acceptance was significantly higher in individuals with lower/other education, patients with moderate to severe symptoms during initial COVID-19 infection, still significantly impaired patients, and individuals with a mental illness. Identified predictors of acceptance were age (ß = .24, p < .001), current condition including moderate (ß = .49, p = .002) and still significantly impaired (ß = .67, p < .001), digital confidence (ß = .19, p < .001), effort expectancy (ß = .26, p < .001), performance expectancy (ß = .33, p < .001), and social influence (ß = .26, p < .001). Conclusion: Patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome reported a satisfying level of acceptance and drivers and barriers could be identified. These factors need to be considered for the implementation and future use of eHealth interventions.

Examining the Effectiveness, Acceptability, and Feasibility of Virtually Delivered Trauma-Focused Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Interventions: A Rapid Evidence Assessment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a rapid shift to virtual delivery of treatment and care to individuals affected by domestic violence and sexual violence. A rapid evidence assessment (REA) was undertaken to examine the effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of trauma-focused virtual interventions for persons affected by domestic violence and sexual violence. The findings from this review will provide guidance for service providers and organizational leaders with the implementation of virtual domestic violence and sexual violence-focused interventions. The REA included comprehensive search strategies and systematic screening of and relevant articles. Papers were included into this review (1) if they included trauma-focused interventions; (2) if the intervention was delivered virtually; and (3) if the article was published in the English-language. Twenty-one papers met inclusion criteria and were included for analysis. Findings from the rapid review demonstrate that virtual interventions that incorporate trauma-focused treatment are scarce. Online interventions that incorporate trauma-focused treatment for this at-risk group are limited in scope, and effectiveness data are preliminary in nature. Additionally, there is limited evidence of acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of virtual interventions for ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse populations experiencing domestic violence and sexual violence. Accessing virtual interventions was also highlighted as a barrier to among participants in studies included in the review. Despite the potential of virtual interventions to respond to the needs of individuals affected by domestic violence and/or sexual violence, the acceptability and effectiveness of virtual trauma-focused care for a diverse range of populations at risk of violence are significantly understudied.

A Review of the COVID-19 Mental Health Impact in Post-Conflict Settings: Bridging the Mental Health Gap with Case Exemplars from an Implementation Science Lens.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated the burden of mental health and presents an opportunity for public health research to focus on evidence-based interventions appropriate for populations residing in resource-constrained, post-conflict settings. Post-conflict settings have a higher service gap in mental health and fewer protective factors, such as economic and domestic security. Post-conflict settings are defined as locations where open warfare has ended but resulting challenges have remained for years. A strong emphasis on the engagement of diverse stakeholders is needed to arrive at sustainable and scalable solutions to mental health service delivery. This review discusses mental health service delivery gaps in post-conflict settings, highlights the urgency of the matter in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides recommendations for service gaps from evidence-based case study exemplars with an implementation science lens using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) as guide to improving adaptation and uptake.

Performing arts as a non-pharmacological intervention for people with dementia and care-partners: a community case study.

Participation in psychosocial enrichment activities, such as music and arts programming, have shown potential to delay or reduce functional decline - without adverse effects that can be associated with pharmaceuticals. The performing-arts programming described in this community case study was inspired by a community music program called B-Sharp Music Wellness, located in Phoenix, Arizona, which involved small groups of musicians who provided symphony performances for people with dementia. Our community programming sought to engage people with dementia and their informal care partner (typically a spouse) in existing performing-arts programs in their local community, providing social hours and season tickets for either symphony, dance (ballet), or non-musical theater performances. This case study describes the program history and design, including outcomes and lessons learned from the program evaluation of the last full season (2018-19) and partial season (2019-20), when the program was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Program outcomes suggest strategies for, and benefits of, design for performing-arts programs as psychosocial interventions in other communities.