Influence of Lived Experiences on Public Responses to Future Diseases via (De)Sensitization of Concern.

OBJECTIVES: Public responses to a future novel disease might be influenced by a subset of individuals who are either sensitized or desensitized to concern-generating processes through their lived experiences during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Such influences may be critical for shaping public health messaging during the next emerging threat. METHODS: This study explored the potential outcomes of the influence of lived experiences by using a dynamic multiplex network model to simulate a COVID-19 outbreak in a population of 2000 individuals, connected by means of disease and communication layers. Then a new disease was introduced, and a subset of individuals (50% or 100% of hospitalized during the COVID-19 outbreak) was assumed to be either sensitized or desensitized to concern-generating processes relative to the general population, which alters their adoption of non-pharmaceutical interventions (social distancing). RESULTS: Altered perceptions and behaviors from lived experiences with COVID-19 did not necessarily result in a strong mitigating effect for the novel outbreak. When public disease response is already strong or sensitization is assumed to be a robust effect, then a sensitized subset may enhance public mitigation of an outbreak through social distancing. CONCLUSIONS: In preparing for future outbreaks, assuming an experienced and disease-aware public may compromise effective design of effective public health messaging and mitigative action.

Association between eating behavior and levels of anxiety, stress and depression in students from private universities in Metropolitan Lima, 2021.

Background: The evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic affected eating behavior due to the anxiety it generates in individuals, especially among the younger population;As a result, preferences in unhealthy foods are observed. The objective was to explore the association between eating behavior and levels of anxiety, stress and depression in the population of university students from two private universities in the city of Lima, Peru during the year 2021. Method(s): Cross-sectional study on a sample of 371 participants from two private universities in Peru between October and November 2021. The Healthy Eating Index Questionnaire (IAS) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) were used. Result(s): 53.6% of the participants are women, the majority of university students belong to health sciences careers (21.3%). Women more predisposed to have more severe stress, depression and anxiety, compared to men. The IAS questionnaire score was significantly higher in those studying veterinary and health sciences. The categories of eating behavior: needs changes and unhealthy are risk factors for the presence of anxiety. There is a negative relationship between IAS and DASS-21. Conclusion(s): Eating behavior is associated with the presence of stress, depression and anxiety in students from two private universities in Metropolitan Lima in 2021.Copyright © 2022 Sociedad Espanola de Nutricion Comunitaria. All rights reserved.

ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF STRESS ON THE PROFESSIONAL READINESS OF A DOCTOR

The aim of the study is to determine approaches to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic stress on the professional preparedness of a physician. Materials and research methods. Working hypothesis of the research is based on K. Maslach's model of three-dimensional structure of professional burnout. The physicians of Volgograd medical organizations took part in the study — N=112, mean age — (40,2±1,4) years, mean length of service — (6,2±1,7) years. As psychodiagnostic testing methods "Diagnosis of psychological rigidity" and "Determination of neuropsychological resistance and risk of maladaptation to stress" ("Prognoz") were used. The express interview, in which physicians of Volgograd city and Volgograd region, whose professional activity is connected with rendering of medical aid to patients with COVID-19 took part, was conducted on the basis of Google electronic platform using Google Forms (N=236). An additional questionnaire was developed for the model group of doctors, the purpose of which was to subjectively assess the respondents' opinion on the necessity of determining the preparedness of physicians for professional activity in extreme conditions. Research results and their analysis. The results of the research showed the relevance of socio-psychological support of physicians working under extreme conditions in order to improve the quality of medical care. © Burnasyan FMBC FMBA.

Police stress: the role of occupational culture and officer characteristics

PurposeThe purpose of the current study was to augment the police culture and stress literature by empirically examining the impact of features of the internal and external work environment, as well as officer characteristics, on police officer stress.Design/methodology/approachThe current empirical inquiry utilized survey data collected from street-level officers in a mid-sized urban police department in a southern region of the United States (n = 349).FindingsThis study revealed that perceived danger, suspicion of citizens and cynicism toward the public increased police occupational stress, while support from supervisors mitigated it. In addition, Black and Latinx officers reported significantly less stress than their White counterparts.Research limitations/implicationsWhile this study demonstrates that patrol officers' perceptions of the external and internal work environments (and race/ethnicity) matter in terms of occupational stress, it is not without limitations. One limitation related to the generalizability of the findings, as results are gleaned from a single large agency serving a metropolitan jurisdiction in the Southeast. Second, this study focused on cultural attitudes and stress, although exact connections to behaviors are more speculative. Finally, the survey took place prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the killing of George Floyd (and others), which radically shook police–community relationships nationwide.Practical implicationsPolice administrators should be cognizant of the importance that views of them have for patrol officer stress levels. Moreover, police trainers and supervisors concerned with occupational stress of their subordinates should work toward altering assignments and socialization patterns so that officers are exposed to a variety of patrol areas, in avoiding prolonged assignments of high social distress.Originality/valueThe study augmented the police culture and stress literature by empirically uncovering the individual-level sources of patrol officers' job-related stress. This study builds off of Paoline and Gau's (2018) research using data collected some 15 years ago by examining a more contemporary, post–Ferguson, context.

A research on food safety in Turkey after the COVID-19 pandemic

The aim of the study is to investigate the food safety perception of consumers during and after the covid 19 pandemic. Surveys were administered to a total of 1000 people from all regions of Turkey via the internet. The survey data were defined as frequency and percentage, and analyzed by nonparametric test methods for dependent and independent groups. As a result of the analysis, it has been determined that the knowledge and awareness levels of consumers about food safety are generally high, and that there are significant differences according to education, age and region. It was observed that the participants did not differ much between their food preferences before and during COVID-19, but they were more careful about health and packaging safety. In other words, the anxiety level of the participants increased during COVID-19. In addition, it was found that with the increasing of education level and age, the awareness and knowledge of the food preferences of the participants also increased. As another factor affecting consumer behavior, the result of the anxiety level measurement that can be evaluated within the scope of perceived risk, it was determined that 76.4% of the participants would prefer more packaged food products during and during the pandemic period. The results of the study support that consumers' preferences in situations of uncertainty are shaped according to their risk perceptions and there is an increase in their anxiety levels.

Analysis of the mental state and job satisfaction of medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is a threat to the physical and mental health of the global population. The healthcare workers are at high risk of mental health disorders. They are the main link to ensure the health safety for patients. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor their mental state to protect them from the negative effects of the pandemic. Material(s) and Method(s): The study included 316 healthcare workers and 302 non-medical controls. The following diagnostic methods were used: Satisfaction with Job Scale, Psychache Scale, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). The study was conducted with online questionnaire. Result(s): The medical subjects reveal higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and psychache than the controls. The highest results are shown in the group of nursing staff. At the same time, nurses are at lower suicide risk and they disclose lower likelihood of suicidal behavior in the future than other medical professionals and have had lower frequency of suicidal ideation over the past 12 months than the control group. The COVID-19 pandemic caused negative changes in professional life in most medical subjects, especially in the group of nurses. Conclusion(s): The results confirmed the importance of providing psychological support to medical staff as they reveal higher level of negative mental health consequences than the general population. The line of further research is to identify the causes of lower suicidal tendencies among nurses despite the strongest deterioration in their mental state.Copyright © 2022 Via Medica. All rights reserved.

When the Pandemic Changed the Rhythm of Sexual Life: The Role of Fear, Defense Mechanisms, and Perceived Stress in Sexual Activity after the Lockdown

Introduction: The pandemic has significantly altered people's life rhythms, affecting both their mental framework and their relational sphere. The perception of virus-related risks has generated strong feelings of fear and anxiety that have activated defense mechanisms aimed at managing the high levels of perceived stress. This greatly affected people's levels of well-being and life satisfaction. One of the areas involved in relation to well-being was sexuality. Much research has been concerned with monitoring well-being with respect to sexual distress, coping strategies, and mood states;however, little research has been concerned with providing an explanatory model of the psychological and contextual dynamics that influenced both sexual satisfaction and sexual conduct during this period. Our aim is to provide a model that sheds light on the dynamics related to sexual satisfaction and sexual behavior during the pandemic, considering the role of risk perception, fear of covid.19, levels of coping mechanisms, and perceived stress. Method(s): From the end of May to the end of September 2020, we administered a battery of questionnaires and self-reports (Semantic differential, MAC-RF, DSQ-40, PPS, SSS-W/M, BISF-item7) through various social networks to a sample of 636 subjects (461 F;171M) with a mean age of 26.7 years (SD 8.1). Data analysis was carried out using the macro Process 3.0 (Mod. 6) of SPSS V.24., It was intended to test a multiple sequential mediation model in which different perceptions of risk influence both people's sexual activity and sexual satisfaction through the mediation of fear, defense mechanisms, and perceived stress. Result(s): The results of sequential multiple mediation show the absence of a direct influence between the different risk perceptions related to covid.19 (exposure, knowledge, and death) on sexual satisfaction, however, this influence is affected by the mediation of fear of covid.19 (M1), defense mechanisms (mature, neurotic, and immature) (M2), and perceived stress (M3). Regarding sexual activity, similar to previous results, only perceptions related to exposure to risk and death have an indirect influence on the frequency of different sexual practices. Conclusion(s): The data show that perceptions related to feeling exposed to risk, knowledge of risk, and the risk of deadly consequences of Sars-Covid 19 infection fuel various fears interconnected with the virus, such as fear for one's own body and for others;such negative emotion overload activated defense mechanisms that increased perceptions of stress in relation to the current living situation, affecting both the degree of sexual satisfaction and the frequency of sexual activity of cohabiting and noncohabiting couples. The implications of these findings are both clinical and research. First, we know how sexuality is an important dimension of a couple's affective life that, when compromised by excessive stress load, can negatively affect couple homeostasis, generating, where elements of resilience are lacking, the exacerbation of conflict, dissatisfaction, online infidelity, and negative feelings toward self and partner. This situation, embodied in the post-pandemic in couple crises and an increase in requests for couple therapy and relationship separations and breakups, poses the challenge to reflect and concretize interventions aimed at supporting the couple's needs to increase relationship security, to model and test specific helping actions in eventual, hopefully distant, critical events such as the pandemic.

Mental health, self-efficacy and university adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This mixed study evaluated changes and stability in health indicators (depression, anxiety, stress, alcohol consumption and amount of hours of sleep) and the belief in academic self-efficacy of Brazilian university students, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first step, quantitative and longitudinal, investigated 20 students (average age=20.8;SD=3.4) in the period of 2019 and 2020, suggesting the maintenance of mental health indicators and the reduction of alcohol consumption and self-efficacy. In the second, qualitative stage, interviews during the quarantine revealed processes of personal and academic adaptation, in addition to concerns about mental health in the face of the pandemic. Institutional responses by universities to these ongoing challenges are recommended, as opposed to an individual analytical perspective.Copyright © 2023 Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru. All rights reserved.

Psychological outcomes after hospitalization for COVID-19: Data from a multidisciplinary follow-up screening program for recovered patients

Patients who are hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) face an extremely stressful experience that might challenge their mental health. The study aims to describe the psychological condition of recovered patients, focusing on anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as post-traumatic stress. All the recovered COVID-19 patients who accessed to a multi- disciplinary follow-up screening program scheduled within two months after their hospital discharge were included. As far as the psychological assessment, patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised for post-traumatic stress. Socio-demographic and clinical data (days of hospitalization, intensity of received care, and number of supportive sessions with the hospital psychologist after the hospitalization) were collected. Descriptive, correlation and regression analyses were conducted. The sample includes 261 patients (68.2% men), aged between 23 and 90 (mean=58.9 st. dev=13.3). High numbers of patients reported anxiety (28%) and depression symptoms (17%), as well as post-traumatic stress (36.4%). Impaired outcomes were associated with female gender, while patient's age was found to be negatively correlated with anxiety symptoms. 13.8% of patients underwent a psychological visit and 6.1% of them were taken in charge for psychological support. Few months after hospital discharge, individuals recovered by COVID-19 reported negative consequences on their mental health. Understanding the impact that COVID-19 and hospitalization have on recovered patients may provide in- sights about how to develop an effective psychological intervention to help them deal with such psychological distress and prevent further psychopathological effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Pandemic at the Hospital: Booklet for Coping with Stress

Healthcare workers have been under intense stress in the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic when they faced situations that threatened or challenged their basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, and they may present mental health problems. Seeking to help these professionals in the hospital context, this article presents the theoretical bases and procedures for the development of a psychoeducational booklet for coping with stress. An integrative literature review and an online survey with 141 healthcare workers from hospitals in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina were carried out to identify the main stressors and coping strategies. This material was organized according to the motivational theory of coping into charts with recommendations on what to do and avoid and boards for alternative communication. The booklet was evaluated by 17 expert health judges, obtaining good correlation coefficients for relevance content (.98) and for clarity of language (.92). With a Spanish version, its application possibilities are expanded.Alternate : Los profesionales de la salud en los hospitales enfrentan situaciones de estrés sin precedentes por la pandemia del Coronavirus/COVID-19, que amenazan o desafían sus necesidades psicológicas básicas de autonomía, competencia y relación en el enfrentamiento de esos estresores. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar el proceso metodológico utilizado en la elaboración de una cartilla psicoeducativa desarrollada para apoyar a los trabajadores de la salud que enfrentan estos estresores. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura y una encuesta online para identificar los principales estresores y estrategias de afrontamiento utilizadas por los profesionales de la salud en los hospitales. La cartilla fue evaluada por 17 jueces especialistas del área de la salud;su coeficiente de correlación es 0,92 en claridad del lenguaje y 0,98 en relevancia del contenido. Las observaciones de los jueces contribuyeron a mejorar el material posteriormente difundido y utilizado en hospitales nacionales e internacionales.Alternate : Profissionais de saúde estiveram sob estresse intenso na pandemia da coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) ao enfrentarem situações que ameaçaram ou desafiaram suas necessidades psicológicas básicas de autonomia, competência e relacionamento, podendo apresentar problemas de saúde mental. Procurando auxiliar esses profissionais no contexto hospitalar, este artigo apresenta as bases teóricas e o procedimento de elaboração de uma cartilha psicoeducacional para o enfrentamento do estresse. Realizou-se uma revisão integrativa da literatura e um levantamento on-line com 141 profissionais de saúde em hospitais do Brasil, da Colômbia, do Peru e da Argentina, para identificação dos principais estressores e estratégias de enfrentamento. Esse material foi organizado pela teoria motivacional do coping em quadros, com recomendações sobre o que fazer e evitar, e quadros para comunicação alternativa. A cartilha foi avaliada por 17 juízes especialistas em saúde, obtendo-se bons coeficientes de correlação para relevância do conteúdo (0,98) e clareza de linguagem (0,92). Com versão em espanhol, ampliam-se suas possibilidades de aplicação.

Personality traits and mental distress after COVID-19 testing. Prospective long-term analysis in a Viennese cohort.

Background: Symptoms of mental stress are a hallmark of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that just testing for COVID-19 could act as an effective stressor for persisting symptoms of mental distress including posttraumatic stress disorder. Our study aimed to determine whether personal beliefs on individual control and competence (locus of control, LoC) correlate with symptoms of mental distress and positive screening for post-traumatic stress disorder during a 9-month observational period. Methods: Between March and December 2021, we applied online versions of the Questionnaire on Competence and Control Expectations (FKK), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Score (DASS), the Short Screening Scale for DSM-IV Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and a medical history questionnaire for COVID-19 symptoms (visit 1). 48 hours after negative COVID-19 testing, DASS was repeated to address relief effects on mental distress (visit 2). Following 90 days (visit 3), development of mental distress was addressed by a combination of DASS and PTSD, while the possible long-term manifestation of PTSD was evaluated 9 months later (visit 4). Results: At visit 1, 7.4 percent of the total sample (n = 867) demonstrated a positive screening for PTSD, while after nine months (at visit 4), 8.9 percent of the remaining sample (n = 204) had positive screening results. The mean age was 36.2 years; 60.8% were women, 39.2% men. In contrast to individuals with negative PTSD screening, these participants demonstrated a significantly different LoC personality profile. This was confirmed by the results of both DASS and the COVID-19 medical history questionnaire. Conclusion: Following testing for COVID-19, individuals with positive long-term PTSD screening present with significantly different personality traits than those w/o suggesting that self-confidence and effective control over one's own actions serve as a protective function against mental distress.

Web-Based Psychosocial Interventions for Disaster-Related Distress: What Has Been Trialed in the Past, and What Can We Learn From This?

OBJECTIVES: To summarize reports describing implementation and evaluation of Web-based psychosocial interventions for disaster-related distress with suggestions for future intervention and research, and to determine whether a systematic literature review on the topic is warranted. METHODS: Systematic searches of Embase, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE were conducted. Duplicate entries were removed. Two rounds of inclusion/exclusion were conducted (abstract and full-text review). Relevant data were systematically charted by 2 reviewers. RESULTS: The initial search identified 112 reports. Six reports, describing and evaluating 5 interventions, were included in a data analysis. Four of the 5 interventions were asynchronous and self-guided modular programs, with interactive components. The fifth was a short-term, online supportive group intervention. Studies utilized a variety of evaluation methods, and only 1 of 14 outcome measures used across the studies was utilized in more than 1 project. CONCLUSIONS: Several Web-based psychosocial interventions have been developed to target disaster-related distress, but few programs have been formally evaluated. A systematic review of the topic would not be recommended at this time due to heterogeneity in reported studies. Further research on factors impacting participation, generalizability, and methods of program delivery with consistent outcome measures is needed.

Psychiatric symptoms and couple satisfaction in parents of newborns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic-A comparison of two prospective studies.

AIMS: To assess anxiety, depression, perceived stress, couple satisfaction and life satisfaction of parents of healthy newborns in two cohorts in 2015 and in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: A prospective follow-up study. METHODS: We enrolled 60 parents of healthy newborns (n = 30 dyads) in 2015 and 60 parents (n = 30 dyads) in 2020. Both parents completed six valid and reliable questionnaires independently 1-2 days and 12 months after delivery: Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Couple Satisfaction Index and Life Satisfaction Scale-4. RESULTS: Anxiety was more common but couple satisfaction better in both parents during the COVID-19 pandemic than in 2015. Depressive symptoms and perceived stress were similarly low, and life satisfaction was similarly high in both cohorts, indicating ample parental resilience. There was a moderate positive association between previous mental health disorders and parental anxiety after delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Longitudinal Assessment of Mental Health Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic Long-Term Exposure on Health Care Workers from a North West Italian Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To assess individual variation in anxiety, stress disorder, depression, insomnia, burnout, and resilience in health care workers (HCWs), 12 and 18 months after the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. METHODS: Prospective longitudinal study. RESULTS: A total of 207 HCWs (74% female, 46% physicians, 44% nurses) answered; 50% scored over the cut-off for anxiety (GAD-7), 66% for PCL-C, 41% for depression (PHQ-9), 25% for ISI, and 15% started sleep inducers; 52% showed emotional exhaustion (EE), 68% detachment (DE), 39% professional efficacy (EF) at MBI; 27% completed the follow-up questionnaire 6 months later, showing a significant reduction in nearly all scores (GAD-7 median 11[5-15] vs 7[4-12] (P < 0.001); PCL-C 43[30-58] vs 37[24-50] (P < 0.05); PHQ-9 10[4-16] vs 6[3-12] (P < 0.001); ISI 10[4-15] vs 7[5-12](NS); MBI EE 25[16-35] vs 23 [15-31] (NS), DE 13[8-17] vs 12[8-17], EF 29[25-34] vs 30[25-34]. Living in a flat (OR 2.27 [1.10-4.81], high-intensity-of-care working (2.83 [1.15-7.16] increased risk of anxiety (GAD-7); age between 31-40 y (OR 2.8 [1.11-7.68], being a nurse (OR 3.56 [1.59-8.36] and high-intensity-of-care working (OR 8.43 [2.92-26.8] increased risk of pathological stress (PCL-C). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of HCWs showed psychological distress, especially nurses, women, and the youngest. A mandatory job change, increasing intensity of care, working in a COVID-19 department, and being infected were negative factors; having a partner and living in a detached house were protective. Six months later, all the psychological domains showed individual improvement.

Clinical psychologists' well-being and experiences of home working during COVID-19

Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to explore the well-being and experiences of working from home (WFH) for psychology staff across a range of specialties working within one health board in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: In total, 161 clinical psychology professionals took part in an online survey that explored experiences of WFH during the COVID-19 pandemic and assessed well-being during this period. Findings: A number of challenges with WFH were identified, including challenges with carrying out clinical work (e.g. communication difficulties, risk assessment) and fewer opportunities for collaborative working and technical/equipment issues. During the WFH period, 46% experienced fatigue, 45% felt stressed and anxious and 30% felt lonely and isolated, compared to normal. Physical health complaints were also common with 37% experiencing aches/pains in back compared to normal and 40% experiencing headaches or migraines. Practical implications: Remote therapy should be directed to those with less complex needs or who require straightforward assessments. There should be increased access to occupational health assessments and provision of ergonomic furniture when WFH, and all staff should be supported to access well-being resources available within the health board. Further evaluation should be carried out to support evidence-based practice of remote clinical work. Originality/value: Few studies have explored the experiences of WFH and/or remotely from the perspectives of clinical psychologists in a Scottish health board. It is expected that this way of working will continue, albeit to a smaller extent;therefore, WFH policy will be informed by the findings.

Fuelling the Immune System for the 21st Century

The article presents a reprint of the article Fuelling the Immune System for the 21st Century by Michael Passwater which appeared in the February 2023 issue of immune function. Topics discussed include global occurrences of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, the importance of nutrition in supporting the immune system, the value of the vitamins C and D, and the status of proton pump inhibitors (PPI). Also noted are suggested adult doses of nutrients.

Children and young people's perspectives on and experiences of COVID‐19 in global contexts

An introduction is presented in which the author discusses articles within the issue on topics including children's perspectives and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in various aspects such as education, health and child care, challenges facing children and their families across different cultural and geographical contexts, and empowerment of children and young people through innovative methods.

COVID-19 job and income loss and mental health: the mediating roles of financial assets and well-being and the moderating role of race/ethnicity

Prior research shows unemployment has a negative effect on mental health, yet whether this relationship is affected by financial factors is unknown. For example, having money in savings may mitigate the impact of job loss on mental health. We use structural equation modeling with data from the Socio-Economic Impacts of COVID-19 Survey with a nationally representative sample (N = 3,341) to examine COVID-19 related job loss and mental health as partially mediated by liquid assets and Financial Well-Being (FWB) and moderated by race and ethnicity as moderators. More than a quarter (28.34%) of participants said they experienced a job or income loss due to COVID-19, which was associated with greater psychological distress as measured by the PHQ-4. The structural model had excellent fit (RMSEA = 0.021);FWB partially mediated the relationship between job/income loss and mental health (p <.001), accounting for 49% of the total effect. However, liquid financial assets did not partially mediate this relationship. Black participants experienced very different direct and indirect effects. Social workers should assess and intervene concerning financial factors when individuals experience job loss. Job loss is different among Black individuals who face greater challenges related to structural racism yet also have greater resilience.

Canadian Adolescents' Mental Health and Substance Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associations With COVID-19 Stressors

There have been significant concerns regarding the mental health impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to isolation, anxiety around the pandemic, and increased conflict in the home. The purpose of this study was to examine the rates of mental health symptoms of clinical concern and substance use, and to assess which COVID-19 related stressors were predictors of these symptoms and substance use in a large Canadian sample of adolescents, with comparisons across genders. Participants (N = 809, Mage = 15.67, SD = 1.37) identified as a girl (56.2%), boy (38.7%), or trans/nonbinary individuals (TNBI;5.1%) and were recruited via social media to complete an online survey. A high proportion of adolescents reported symptoms of clinical concern for depression (51%), anxiety (39%), and posttraumatic stress disorder (45%). Other mental health problems ranged from 9% to 20%. Adolescents were mainly concerned with the health of family members and vulnerable populations, as well as the increased family stress at home during COVID-19. Rates of substance use were higher than expected, with over 50% of youth engaging in some form of substance use in the past 90 days, and almost 20% engaging in substance use at least once a week. TNBI and girls reported higher rates of mental health problems compared to boys. Family stress due to confinement and violence at home predicted higher mental health symptoms, but not substance use problems. Increased rates of mental health problems and substance use necessitate targeted supports that encourage positive coping amidst the additional stresses of COVID-19.

Self-Care Performance of Pregnant Women in Preventing COVID-19 Infection and Its Relationship with Perceived Stress

Objective: To determine the status of self-care performance of pregnant women in the prevention of COVID-19 disease and its relationship with perceived stress during the epidemic period of this disease. Method: This cross-sectional study was performed on 228 pregnant women who referred to the health centers in Tabriz, Iran, for prenatal care. They were selected by cluster sampling. Data collection tools included questionnaires about Demographic-Social Characteristics, the Self-Care Performance Questionnaire and Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale. Spearman correlation test was used to examine the correlation between self-care performance and perceived stress in bivariate and multivariate analyses. Also, multivariate linear regression was used, with control of demographic-social and obstetric characteristics as possible confounders. Results: The median (25-75 percentiles) self-care performance score of participants was 0.71 (0.65-0.76), from the achievable range of 20-80, and its mean (± SD) perceived stress score was 25.5 (± 5.6), from the achievable range of 0- 56. The Spearman's rank correlation test results showed a significant inverse correlation between perceived stress and self-care performance scores (r = -0.13;P = 0.041). According to multivariate linear regression test, the variables of selfcare performance, education, spouse's education and number of family members were the predictors of perceived stress in pregnant women during the COVID-19 epidemic. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, self-care performance of pregnant women in prevention of the COVID-19 disease was good and their stress was moderate. There was a significant inverse correlation between self - care performance and perceived stress that could indicate the high value and importance of the fetus for the mother and her strict adherence to health protocols to prevent COVID-19, which also leads to calming and reduced perceived stress.