"Spread too thin": Parents' experiences of burnout during COVID-19 in Australia

Objective: We aimed to investigate parental burnout (PB) within an Australian context during COVID-19. Background: Little is known about how the increase in the parental burden created by COVID-19 restrictions has affected parents and whether this has resulted in increased PB. Method: A mixed-methods approach examined PB in a sample of Australian parents (N = 403) during COVID-19. Regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of PB, and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to compare PB scores to scores collected prior to COVID-19. Thematic analysis was used to understand the qualitative experience of parenting during lockdowns. Results: PB scores obtained during COVID-19 were significantly higher than pre-COVID-19, and prevalence of PB almost doubled. Age of the parent was the most significant predictor of PB, although gender of the parent, average age of children, and number of children were also predictors on the PB subscales. Qualitatively, parents reported increased stress and a loss of coping mechanisms during lockdown, and this commonly led to negative outcomes. Conclusion: Results suggest that parents struggled to cope with the additional responsibilities and the reductions to resources created by COVID-19 restrictions. Implications: These findings support researchers globally who call for interventions that support parents during periods of COVID-19 restrictions.

Psychological distress and its correlation with weight change in young adults in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic

This study aims to investigate the correlation between psychological distress and weight change in Malaysian young adults after the pandemic-led lockdowns. Socio-demographics, body height, body weight during the Movement Control Order 3.0 (MCO 3.0), and post-lockdown body weight (as of January 2022) were self-reported by the young adults. Psychological distress was assessed using a validated 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Of the 536 young adults, 54.1% experienced mild to extremely severe anxiety, 47.0% suffered mild to extremely severe depression, and 30.0% experienced mild to extremely severe stress in the post-lockdown pandemic phase. In reference to absolute weight change, 50.6% of the young adults gained weight due to confinement, with an average weight gain of 3.41 ± 2.49 kg. Conversely, 32.0% of the young adults had a lighter weight during the MCO 3.0 than before, with an average weight loss of 3.96 ± 2.76 kg. Additionally, the trajectory in body weight was also expressed in relative weight change. Findings revealed that 23.1% of the young adults gained weight in the post-lockdown pandemic phase, with an average relative weight gain of 9.04 ± 3.90%. On the contrary, approximately one-fifth (17.4%) of the young adults lost weight, with an average relative weight loss of −8.57 ± 2.79%. There were no significant correlations (p> 0.05) between depression, anxiety, and stress with absolute or relative weight change, even after controlling for the socio-demographic variation among young adults. The federal government of Malaysia should take necessary actions to alleviate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and reiterate the importance of sustaining a healthy body weight in young adults.

Online Gratitude Interventions during COVID- 19 Pandemic on Youth: Randomized Trial

PurposeThis investigation purports to study if gratitude interventions lead to an increase in overall wellbeing among Indian youth during the coronavirus lockdown. Second, to examine if a cumulative effect of two gratitude interventions on wellbeing is greater than a single gratitude intervention.MethodParticipants (N = 80) were randomly allocated to the experimental and control groups (n = 40 each).ResultIt was found that after administering a single gratitude intervention there was a significant increase in mental health, happiness, and gratitude and a decrease in depression, anxiety, and stress in the experimental group. Moreover, after administering two gratitude interventions together, a greater increase was seen in these variables as compared to the administration of a single gratitude intervention. There was no significant change in the control group in both cases.ConclusionIn summary, online gratitude interventions lead to increase in happiness and mental health and decrease in depression, anxiety, and stress even during crises such as the coronavirus pandemic. Moreover, the cumulative effect of two gratitude interventions is more than a single gratitude intervention. It is suggested that these gratitude interventions should be included in providing mental health care even when clients are not able to meet counselors in physical settings.

Financial hardship and depression experienced by pre-retirees during the COVID-19 pandemic: the mitigating role of stimulus payments

This study examines the association between financial hardship and depression among pre-retirees (ages 50 to 65) using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and its 2020 COVID-19 supplement. We find a negative association between the amount of stimulus received and financial hardship experienced by respondents during the pandemic. Additionally, the results indicate that African American households were less likely to increase spending, Hispanic households were more likely to increase savings, and households with lower educational attainment were more likely to pay down debt using their stimulus money. Financial wealth was negatively associated with the perception of feeling depressed. Overall, the findings from this study underscore the important role that the stimulus checks and other financial resources played in buffering the economic shock experienced by American households during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Psychosocial impact of COVID-19 2 years after outbreak on mental health of medical workers in Iran

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial influence on the mental health of healthcare workers. This study investigated general health status, the prevalence, and the severity of depressive spectrum and anxiety-related disorders. It evaluated the association between various factors and depression, anxiety, and stress among healthcare workers in the Khatam-Alanbia Hospital in Iran, after 2 years since the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.ResultsIn this online cross-sectional study, 409 participants were selected and given a questionnaire about demographic, personal, and clinical characteristics as well as stressors related to COVID-19. The participants completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the 42-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42) to report depression, anxiety, and stress/tension levels. We found that the overall incidence of depression, anxiety and stress among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic was 44.25%, 50.62%, and 43.76%, respectively. Participants with severe to very severe depression, anxiety and stress accounted for 19.2%, 26.6%, and 18.2% of the sample, respectively. Being female was associated with higher odds of depression, anxiety, and stress.ConclusionsTwo years after the COVID-19 outbreak, health workers are still showing a significant level of depression, anxiety, stress, and remarkable signs of psychological distress. The situation of a health care worker is worrying. The long-term psychological implications of infectious diseases should not be ignored. Mental health services could play an essential role in rehabilitation.

Age, Anxiety, Stress, and Depression Associated with Eating Problems During COVID-19

This cross-sectional web-based study investigated the association of age, gender, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress with eating problems in Brazilian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 715 participants (237 men and 478 women) were recruited from all regions of Brazil. The instruments used were the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the Eating Attitudes Test – 26 (EAT-26). Data analysis was conducted through the independent t test, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Multiple regression showed that DASS total score made the largest positive contribution to EP for men (β = .17, p < .01) and women (β = .22, p < .001). The data showed significant differences between men and women for all variables (p < .001), indicating that women presented more symptoms in all variables. Our findings show that symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were associated whit risky behavior for EP in Brazilian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.Alternate : Este estudio transversal basado en la web investigó la asociación de edad, sexo y los síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés con los problemas alimentarios (PAs) en adultos brasileños durante la pandemia del coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Se reclutó un total de 715 participantes (237 hombres y 478 mujeres) de todas las regiones de Brasil. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron la Escala de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés – 21 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 [DASS-21]) y el Teste de Actitudes Alimentarias – 26 (Eating Attitudes Test – 26 [EAT-26]). El análisis de los datos se realizó mediante la prueba t independiente, la correlación de Pearson y el análisis de regresión múltiple. La regresión múltiple mostró que la puntuación total en DASS-21 contribuyó positivamente a los PAs en hombres (β = 0.17, p < 0.01) y mujeres (β = 0.22, p < 0.001). Los datos mostraron que las mujeres tenían más síntomas en todas las variables (p < 0.001). Los síntomas de DASS-21 se asocian con conductas de riesgo para PAs en adultos brasileños durante la pandemia de COVID-19.Alternate : Este estudo transversal baseado na web investigou a associação de idade, sexo e sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e estresse com problemas alimentares (PAs) em adultos brasileiros durante a pandemia da coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Um total de 715 participantes (237 homens e 478 mulheres) foram recrutados em todas as regiões do Brasil. Os instrumentos utilizados foram a Escala de Depressão, Ansiedade e Estresse – 21 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 [Dass-21]) e o Teste de Atitudes Alimentares – 26 (Eating Attitudes Test – 26 [EAT-26]). A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio de teste t independente, correlação de Pearson e análise de regressão múltipla. A regressão múltipla mostrou que a pontuação total na Dass-21 contribuiu positivamente para PAs em homens (β = 0,17, p < 0,01) e mulheres (β = 0,22, p < 0,001). Os dados mostraram que as mulheres apresentaram mais sintomas em todas as variáveis (p < 0.001). Assim, os sintomas da Dass-21 foram associados a comportamentos de risco para PAs em adultos brasileiros durante a pandemia da Covid-19.

Emotional distress and quality of life among adults with developmental coordination disorder during COVID-19

Introduction: Individuals with developmental coordination disorder frequently report emotional and functional difficulties. A stressful era as COVID-19 pandemic may enhance emotional load. The present study aimed to (1) examine the emotional distress and quality of life among adults with developmental coordination disorder during COVID-19 as compared to typical controls, and (2) examine the relationships between these factors in adults with developmental coordination disorder. Method: Participants were 317 adults, aged 18–66, recruited during the first year of COVID-19: 227 were included in the developmental coordination disorder group, and 90 in the control group (normal motor performance) based on the Adult Developmental Co-ordination Disorders/Dyspraxia Checklist cutoff score. Participants completed a sociodemographic health status/daily life under COVID-19 questionnaire and self-reports about their emotional status (depression, anxiety, stress) and a quality of life. Results: The developmental coordination disorder group had significantly greater depression, anxiety, stress, and lower quality of life. Participants with developmental coordination disorder who were infected by COVID-19 or reported reduction of working hours due to COVID-19 had the lowest social and environmental quality of life. Depression significantly predicted reduced quality of life and mediated between developmental coordination disorder severity and quality of life. Conclusions: Prevention and intervention programs for adults with developmental coordination disorder should be elaborated, with reference to emotional load and to implications on daily life, especially in times of crisis, like COVID-19.

COVID-19-related fears, stress and depression in adolescents: The role of loneliness and relational closeness to online friends

Research shows that the various waves of COVID-19 have generated increased fears, loneliness, and negative feelings in many adolescents. In this context, social media use may fulfill the pivotal function of connection, thereby supporting a sense of relational and emotional closeness to others via online interactions. However, there is no agreement as to the risks or buffering effects of social media usage among adolescents during the pandemic. The current study aims to explore the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19-related fears on adolescents' perceived stress and depression, evaluating the mediating effect of their sense of loneliness and the moderating effect of relational closeness to online friends. A sample of 544 Italian adolescents participated in an online survey during the third wave of COVID-19 (71.9% females;mean age = 16.22 years). The survey comprised the Multidimensional Assessment of COVID-19-Related Fears, the Italian Loneliness Scale, the Depression and Stress subscales of the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale-21, and the Relational Closeness. The findings show a mediating effect of loneliness in the predictive relationship between COVID-19-related fears and both depression and stress, and they also indicate that relational closeness to online friends has a moderating effect, buffering the effect of loneliness on adolescents' stress and depression. The positive role of relational closeness to online friends suggests the need to consider the quality of the specific use of social media among adolescents, which may serve precise functions and needs.

The Relationship between Physical Activity and Mental Depression in Older Adults during the Prevention and Control of COVID-19: A Mixed Model with Mediating and Moderating Effects.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have found a strong relationship between physical activity and mental depression in older adults. Despite this, the social isolation, limited physical activity, and decreased social interactions caused by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic control measures of "home isolation and reduction unnecessary travel" had a significant mental impact on older adults. OBJECTIVE: the goal of this study was to look into the complex effects of physical activity participation on mental health in older adults during COVID-19 prevention and control and the relationship between physical activity and mental depression in older adults through the mediating effect of self-efficacy and the moderating effect of social support. METHODS: The Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), the Center for Streaming Depression Scale (CES-D), the Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) were used to assess 974 older adults in five urban areas of Chengdu, China. The SPSS was used to analyze the collected data using mathematical statistics, linear regression analysis, and the AMOS to construct the research model. RESULTS: The study's findings revealed that self-efficacy mediated the relationship between physical activity and mental depression in older adults (ß = -0.101, 95%CI (-0.149, -0.058)), and social support moderated the relationship between physical activity and mental depression in older adults (t = -9.144, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity reduces psychological depressive symptoms in older adults and modulates psychological depression in older adults via the mediation efficacy of self-efficacy and the moderating effect of social support.