Understanding Differential Stress and Mental Health Reactions to COVID-19-Related Events.

The effects of the pandemic on mental health can be studied through different variables, such as the number of COVID-19 stressors, the stressor types, and the stress responses. Understanding the sources of mental strain is crucial for developing effective interventions. The present study analyzed the relationship between these COVID-19-related variables and positive and negative mental health. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 666 individuals from the Portuguese general population, mostly females (65.5%) between 16-93 years old. They completed self-report measures regarding the number of COVID-19 stressors, the stressor types, the stress responses (IES-R), and positive (MHC-SF) and negative mental health (BSI-18). The results demonstrated that a higher number of COVID-19-experienced stressors and more stress responses were related to worse mental health. Regarding stressor types, experiences not related to the COVID-19 infection (e.g., tension at home) presented the largest effects on mental health. The strongest predictor was the stress responses for negative (ß = 0.50) and positive mental health (ß = -0.17). The predictors explained more about negative mental health than positive. These findings support the idea that individual appraisals play a crucial role in mental health.

Mental Health and Higher Education in Australia

This book addresses a broad range of issues related to mental health in higher education in Australia, with specific reference to student and staff well-being. It examines the challenges of creating and sustaining more resilient cultures within higher education and the community. Showcasing some of Australia's unique experiences, the authors present a multidisciplinary perspective of mental health supports and services relevant to the higher education landscape. This book examines the different ways Australian higher education institutions responded/are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, with reference to domestic and international students. Through the exploration of practice and research, the authors add to the rich discourses on well-being in the higher education. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022.

It's all about control: Sense of control mediates the relationship between physical activity and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany.

COVID-19-related burden has a significant impact on mental health and has led to an increase of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Physical activity has been suggested to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic and to foster mental health. The present study aimed to investigate, whether sense of control might mediate the supposed beneficial effects of physical activity on positive (PMH) and negative mental health (NMH) in unpredictable extraordinary situations. Data were assessed in a sample of 568 students (M age = 19.90, SD age = 4.52) from Germany via an online survey in fall 2020. Mediation analyses revealed that sense of control mediated the relation between physical activity and PMH as well as depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, respectively. The findings indicate that physical activity may be a promising strategy for fostering sense of control and thus mental health. Due to its practical implications and practicability, engagement in physical activity could be an effective way to reduce the NMH consequences of the current COVID-19 situation, and therefore should be addressed in actions for long-term prevention and intervention.

Positive mental health in Slovenia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Mental health has been heavily affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study we compared the prevalence of flourishing and languishing mental health during the pandemic and examined which factors are associated with either category of positive mental health respectively. Methods: Data from two cross-sectional surveys with nationally representative samples of adult population in Slovenia conducted in 2019 (n = 9,047) and in 2021 (n = 3,429) are used. Positive mental health was measured with Mental Health Continuum-Short Form instrument. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between flourishing and languishing mental health and relevant COVID-19 specific and other health-related factors. Results: There was a substantial decrease in the prevalence of flourishing and an increase in the prevalence of languishing mental health during the pandemic. Distribution of both flourishing and languishing mental health followed the socio-economic gradient. Resilience, COVID-19 literacy and changes in family relations, social interactions, and dietary habits were associated with both flourishing and languishing mental health. Conclusion: Positive mental health of the population worsened during the pandemic, more so in traditionally disadvantaged populations. Public health efforts need to be focused appropriately with an increased emphasis on strengthening resilience and health literacy.

Social isolation, loneliness and positive mental health among older adults in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. / Isolement social, solitude et santé mentale positive chez les aînés au Canada pendant la pandémie de COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Social isolation and loneliness are associated with poorer mental health among older adults. However, less is known about how these experiences are independently associated with positive mental health (PMH) during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2020 and 2021 cycles of the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health to provide estimates of social isolation (i.e. living alone), loneliness and PMH outcomes (i.e. high self-rated mental health, high community belonging, mean life satisfaction) in the overall older adult population (i.e. 65+ years) and across sociodemographic groups. We also conducted logistic and linear regressions to separately and simultaneously examine how social isolation and loneliness are associated with PMH. RESULTS: Nearly 3 in 10 older adults reported living alone, and over a third reported feelings of loneliness due to the pandemic. When examined separately, living alone and loneliness were each associated with lower PMH. When assessed simultaneously, loneliness remained a significant independent factor associated with all three PMH outcomes (overall and across all sociodemographic groups), but living alone was only a significant factor for high community belonging in the overall population, for males and for those aged 65 to 74 years. CONCLUSION: Overall, social isolation and loneliness were associated with poorer wellbeing among older adults in Canada during the pandemic. Loneliness remained a significant factor related to all PMH outcomes after adjusting for social isolation, but not vice versa. The findings highlight the need to appropriately identify and support lonely older adults during (and beyond) the pandemic.

Determinants of positive mental health during organizational change: role of continuous learning, mindfulness and change-efficacy

PurposeBy integrating job demands-resource (JD-R) theory and organizational change approach, the paper investigates determinants of positive mental health (PMH) of employees experiencing unpredictable organizational change (i.e. transition from physical work to remote work and other associated changes during the Covid-19 pandemic). The paper aims to examine the direct and indirect effects of continuous learning (CL) and mindfulness (MF) on PMH of employees via their perceived change-efficacy (CE).Design/methodology/approachTime-lagged primary data were collected from a cohort of information technology employees experiencing organizational change in the past one year. During the first stage, data was collected on variables, including CF, MF and CE, whereas response on PMH of employees was collected after one month. AMOS-24 has been used to assess the measurement model and perform the analysis.FindingsAt the outset, the study affirms that CL, MF and CE significantly contribute toward PMH of employees. The mediation analysis suggests that CE significantly mediates both relationships (i.e. CL-PMH and MF-PMH).Practical implicationsFirst, CL and MF are key to recovering from a crisis and enhancing PMH of employees. Second, employees' CE is an essential ingredient for organizations to successfully implement organizational changes while amplifying the PMH of employees.Originality/valueThe study is one of its kind which examines the antecedents of employees' mental health during organizational change while examining the mediating role of their CE. The findings contribute substantially to the literature of organizational change and JD-R theory by integrating and extending it to organizational change context.

The Benefits of Physical Activity and Positive Mental Health for Reducing the Burden of COVID-19: Validation from a Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Investigation in China and Germany.

Many people experience high burden by the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its consequences for health and everyday life. The present cross-national study investigated potential factors that can reduce the burden by COVID-19 in China and Germany. Cross-sectional and longitudinal (China: N = 474, baseline, BL: 2015, follow-up, FU: 2020; Germany: N = 359, BL: 2019, FU: 2020) data on physical activity (e.g., jogging) (BL/FU), positive mental health (PMH) (BL/FU), and burden by COVID-19 (FU) were collected via online surveys. In both countries, physical activity was positively associated with PMH, and both variables were negatively related to burden by COVID-19. Furthermore, PMH mediated the link between physical activity and burden. The mediation model was significant when physical activity and PMH were assessed at the BL, while burden was measured at the FU; and it was also significant when all variables were assessed at the FU. The present findings reveal that physical activity in combination with PMH can reduce the experience of burden by COVID-19. Conscious fostering of physical activity and PMH is supported as an effective strategy to reduce the negative impact of the pandemic outbreak on mental and physical health. Additional benefits such as increased adherence to governmental measures around COVID-19 are discussed.

Psychosocial Influences on Coping and Wellbeing during the Covid-19 Lockdown in the Early Days of the Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Research.

This study focuses on the psychosocial impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on wellbeing and uses a mixed methods design to develop a more profound understanding about adaptive coping during stressful situations. The quantitative phase of this study examined the association between psychological capital, perceived stress, coping and wellbeing. The online survey was conducted in May 2020 and had 257 participants. The Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) results showed that the hypothesized model had an adequate fit [χ2(306, N = 257) = 547.185, p = 0.00]; and that both psychological capital and perceived stress were significant predictors of wellbeing. Significantly, young people reported a more negative impact on their wellbeing during the lockdowns. In the subsequent qualitative phase, in-depth interviews with 21 voluntary participants (14 females and 7 males) suggested that individuals could reappraise stressful situations and use coping strategies for psychosocial adaptation. From this research, it was identified that especially the younger age group is at risk, and that that psychosocial resources, such as psychological capital, could be developed to enhance coping and wellbeing with the ongoing impacts of the pandemic.

Too many lemons to make lemonade? Disentangling mental health during the third wave of COVID-19 infections in Spain.

The study aimed to analyze the longitudinal change in mental health during the third wave of COVID-19 infections in Spain. Negative (e.g., emotional distress) and positive (e.g., positive functioning variables) outcomes were analyzed. Protective factors (e.g., resilience) as predictors of psychological adjustment (i.e., positive mental health, openness to the future, and low burden due to COVID-19) after ten months of the pandemic were also examined. The sample consisted of 164 participants, and self-reported questionnaires were administered at the beginning of the lockdown (March 2020), at the end of the lockdown (June 2020), and during the third wave (January 2021). Linear mixed models showed that individuals' emotional distress increased, and positive functioning variables (i.e., meaning in life, gratitude, resilience, and life satisfaction) decreased over time, but an increase was observed in some dimensions of posttraumatic growth. Regression analyses showed that resilience scores at all three data collection time points were significant predictors of positive mental health, openness to the future, and burden during the third wave. Mediation analyses showed that positive mental health and openness to the future were mediators of the effect of resilience on burden. The prolonged situation of the COVID-19 crisis had an important impact on positive and negative mental health. However, resilience may help to build up resources that can act as a buffer against adverse psychological effects.

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.

Mental health of Filipino university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: the distinct associations of fear of COVID-19 and financial difficulties

Objective: The study examined the role of fear of COVID-19 and of financial difficulties in the family on the positive (flourishing and satisfaction with life) and negative (depression, anxiety, and stress) dimensions of mental health among a Filipino university student sample during the COVID-19 crisis. Method: Using a cross-sectional online survey, data were collected among university undergraduate students (N = 681) from September to October of 2020. The online questionnaire included demographic information, the Fear of COVID-19 scale and measures of positive (SWLS and Flourishing Scale) and negative mental health (DASS-21 Filipino). Results: Results of structural equation modelling revealed that fear of COVID-19 infection predicted all three indicators of negative mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress) but not the positive mental health indicators (satisfaction with life and flourishing). Financial difficulties, in contrast, predicted all indicators of positive mental health and negative mental health, except stress. Conclusions: While fear of COVID-19 is associated with students' negative mental health, their financial concerns have a wider ranging association with positive and negative mental health. Mental health services must address the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on university students, such as the more basic financial difficulties of some students and their families. © 2021 Australian Psychological Society.

Stress and mental health of COVID-19 survivors and their families after hospital discharge: relationship with perceived healthcare staff empathy.

Several studies attest to the long-term consequences of COVID-19 infection on survivors' mental illness, especially in terms of high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 1-3 months after hospitalization. Aims of the present study were (1) to jointly evaluate PTSD and positive mental health among COVID-19 survivors and family members after hospital discharge, and (2) to investigate the relationship between perceived healthcare staff's relational empathy during hospitalization and survivors' post-traumatic stress levels. In this cross-sectional study, 60 survivors (Mage = 60.45; 63.3% men) and 40 family members (Mage = 52.33; 60% women) participated in an online survey 3-7 months after hospital discharge. In addition to providing socio-demographic data, they completed PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 and Mental Health Continuum Short Form. Survivors also completed the Consultation and Relational Empathy measure. Percentages of participants meeting a provisional PTSD and mental health diagnosis (flourishing, moderate, languishing) were calculated. A hierarchical regression analysis was performed on survivors' data, with perceived staff's empathy as predictor and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) as outcome. One-fifth of the participants received a provisional PTSD diagnosis, about half were diagnosed with flourishing or moderate mental health, and only 5% were languishing, with no significant between-group differences. Among survivors, a negative association was detected between perceived healthcare staff's empathy and PTSS, explaining 10.5% of the model variance over and above demographic and clinical variables. Findings highlighted the coexistence of PTSD and positive mental health among survivors and family members, suggesting the usefulness of assessing both negative and positive dimensions of mental health, in order to promote psycho-social adaptation once returning to everyday life. In addition, the role of compassionate care in clinical practice emerged as a potential means to mitigate severe traumatic reactions among survivors.

COVID-19 infection: Positive mental health, psychological vulnerability and sex: Cross-sectional study.

Since mid-March 2020, a state of emergency was decreed in Portugal due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, consequently, measures were implemented to protect public health, such as social isolation, which will certainly have a notable impact on the mental health of the population, especially in the most vulnerable groups. Positive Mental Health (PMH) is essential to deal with adversity, in this case with the pandemic, and to live better and with greater satisfaction. We consider it relevant to investigate how PMH was used as a resource to deal with the pandemic, depending on the level of vulnerability and sex. A, cross-sectional study was carried out whose the aim was to evaluate the levels of PMH and psychological vulnerability in people with COVOD-19 infection and analyze the association between PMH and psychological vulnerability among men and women. METHODS: The instruments used were a sociodemographic characterization questionnaire, the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire, and the Psychological Vulnerability Scale (PVS), that were sent and filled out online. A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study was carried out. RESULTS: After analyzing the results, it was found that approximately 50.4% of the respondents (n = 387) had global PMH values that place them in quartile 50. There was also a statistically significant difference between female and male PMH, with women showing greater psychological vulnerability and lower overall PMH. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the women present a greater psychological vulnerability and a lower level of PMH when compared to men. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Considering the study's statistically significant results, when we talk about mental health, we should always consider the sex variable as a vulnerability factor, in a pandemic or non-pandemic phase.

Mediation effects of post-series depression on the relationship between life satisfaction and positive mental health of Vietnamese: A cross-sectional study in COVID-19 pandemic context.

Vietnam, a middle-income country, has been suffering four waves of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and a massive lockdown to suppress the spread of this infectious disease. Consequently, COVID-19 has caused psychological ramifications and affected humankind's life satisfaction. Because of the lockdown period, numerous people had plentiful time. Hence, they found solace in excessive watching of television and movies, which could lead to post-series depression. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between life satisfaction (LS), post-series depression (PSD), and positive mental health (PMH) and inquire about the mediation effect of satisfaction of life and PSD. A total of 2,572 participants who were voluntarily recruited from various media platforms completed self-report questionnaires, including the Satisfaction with life scale, Post-series depression scale, and Positive Mental Health Scale. This study was assessed using the PLS-SEM approach. The findings of this research discovered (i) a significantly positive effect of LS on PMH; (ii) a significantly negative effect of PSD on PMH; (iii) a significantly negative effect of LS on PSD, and (iv) a significant indirect effect of LS on PMH through PSD. The study provided additional evidence to the relationship between life satisfaction and PMH of individuals. Besides, the negative effects of PSD, which is a non-clinical term for feeling down that frequently appears after individuals finish their much-loved film and TV series, on individuals' PMH is proved, especially in the COVID-19 pandemic context in which Vietnamese people must remain in their current location.

Flourishing or Languishing? Predictors of Positive Mental Health in Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical students were burdened with high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. The objective of the present study was to investigate predictors of positive mental health among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted an online survey from September 2021 to March 2022. We applied the snowball recruitment technique involving medical students from the University of Catania, Italy. We administered, anonymously, a questionnaire about demographic characteristics, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A), and the short form of the Mental Health Continuum (MHC-SF). Participants showed moderate anxiety, depression, and stress levels, and more than half had positive mental health status overall. This finding was inversely related to age, depression severity, cyclothymic, and depressive temperaments. Our results showed that medical students with depressive and cyclothymic temperaments were more at risk of worsening mental health status during the pandemic. Our findings may allow for further developments about the impact of personological characteristics on students' mental health to enable more efficient support for the most vulnerable.

Older Adults and Positive Mental Health during the Second and Sixth COVID-19 Waves in Spain.

The spread of the COVID-19 virus was a worldwide phenomenon, which was unprecedented in modern times. The restriction measures can be perceived as a heavy burden for mental health during this period, particularly for some groups. The aim of this study is to examine a positive mental health model across ages, where a moderated mediation model is proposed involving sex differences and confidence in coping with COVID-19. Two independent samples were studied during the second and sixth waves in Spain: n = 2861 and n = 2462, respectively. The main conclusions can be described as follows: (i) while age was not related to mental health during the second wave, a positive relationship was found between it and the sixth one; (ii) age was positively related to the confidence in coping with COVID-19 during both of the waves; (iii) women showed worse scores for the variables in the study than the men did during the second wave, but this pattern was reversed in the sixth one; (iv) after a moderated mediation model on the relationship between age and positive mental health in terms of confidence in coping with COVID-19 and sex, an interaction was found for the second wave but not for the sixth one. These results suggest that older adults and women would develop more strategies and resources for a positive mental health across time.

Cluster analysis and artificial neural networks in the characterization and classification of positive mental health profiles in confinement by COVID-19

Objective: This work aims to provide a valid procedure to characterize and classify positive mental health profiles of subjects in prolonged confinement by COVID-19. M ethod: Methodologically, the factors prosocial attitude, self-control, personal satisfaction, autonomy, problem-solving and self-actualization, and interpersonal relationships were adopted in 285 individuals aged 18 to 75 years;the literature related to positive mental health, the application of Artificial Neural Networks and Cluster Analysis were reviewed, which allowed structuring a systematic analysis procedure to characterize and classify positive mental health profiles. Results: A procedure was achieved that integrates a cluster analysis that identified behavioral patterns and characterized groups of positive mental health and an artificial neural network that classifies positive mental health profiles into two groups distinguishing stages of the well-being of individuals and the normalized importance of the factors analyzed was established. Conclusion: From the results, it can be concluded that the proposed procedure that integrates cluster analysis and artificial neural networks can be used as a characterization and classification tool in studies where there are multiple variables, which complements traditional studies, providing robustness in the analysis. © 2022 Academia Nacional de Medicina. All rights reserved.

Love of Life in Turkish Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The aims of the present study were (a) to introduce the Turkish version of the Love of Life Scale (LLS), (b) to develop a short form of the LLS, (c) to assess the psychometric properties and explore the factor structure of this Turkish version of the LLS, (d) to examine gender differences in the LLS, and (e) to provide a data point for the level of love of life during the pandemic in Turkey, as a point of reference for future studies after the end of the pandemic. A cross-sectional convenience sample of 381 college students responded to the Turkish version of the LLS. Cronbach's a was .95 for the long form LLS. Both Cronbach alpha and McDonald Omega values were .92 for the short form of LLS. Principal components analysis extracted one component labeled Love of Life for both forms. The short version of LLS contained four items, with a first principal component accounting for 80.15% of total variance. The long form of LLS correlated very highly with its short form. The sex difference for the long and short forms LLS total scores was not statistically significant. Age differences were found for the long form LLS total scores but not for the short form. The present results demonstrate the applicability of the Turkish version of the LLS to Turkish college students. © 2022 Ulster Institute for Social Research. All rights reserved.

Comparative analysis of positive mental health between men and women university students under COVID-19 social isolation

The main objective of this research study is to conduct a comparative analysis of positive mental health between men and women university students isolated due to COVID-19. Positive mental health is reviewed theoretically, including its associated measurement factors. Basic concepts of discriminant analysis are examined. Discriminant analysis is applied to assess significant differences between 337 men and women university students by using the Lluch’s Positive Mental Health scale, which measures the following factors: pro-social attitude, autonomy, self-control, personal satisfaction, problem solving, and interpersonal relationships. The results show that pro-social attitude, self-control, and problem-solving are significant factors for positive mental health of male and female university students. In conclusion, these findings can be used to prioritize intervention factors in programs or processes to improve psychosocial conditions of a given population in educational contexts. © 2022

Suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and positive mental health in Chinese medical students

Introduction: Students worldwide are at marked risk of suicidal ideation/behavior, depression, and low positive mental health (PMH). Medical students are suspected to be a particularly burdened group. On this background, the aim of the present study was to determine prevalence rates of suicidal ideation/behavior, depression and PMH, among Chinese medical students compared to students from other disciplines. Methods: A total of 2,695 Chinese students (41.2% women;age: M = 18.86, SD = .60, range: 18–21), including 461 medical students, filled out self-report measures on suicidal ideation/behavior, depression, and PMH. Results: Twelve-month suicidal ideation was reported by 10.2% of the medical students and by 11.5% of the other students. Medical students had significantly lower levels of depression symptoms and significantly higher levels of PMH than students from other disciplines. Complete mental health – according to the dual-factor model of mental health – was reported by more than 84% of the total sample. Limitations: Data were assessed by a self-report survey that is prone to social desirability. Conclusions: Students in the present study displayed high rates of complete mental health – although the survey was conducted in the midst of the Corona pandemic. No evidence was found that medical students are particularly stressed. © 2022