ABSTRACT
Introduction: The COVID-19 outbreak and related confinement measures have disturbed the psychological well-being of young children and adolescents, especially in at-risk groups. Aim of the study was to evaluate the trend and severity of children' and adolescents' neuropsychiatric diseases in the context of a prolonged state of confinement measures. Materials and Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from all subjects aged between 4 and 16 years +/- 6 months, admitted to the Child Neuropsychiatry ward of the Gaslini Children Hospital between 01/01/20 and 30/05/21. Demographic and clinical characteristics were noted for each subject. Subjects were then divided in admitted before or after COVID outbreak, considered as the 9th Match 2020. Data of psychiatric patients about subjects' functioning (Children Global Assessment Scale, C-GAS) and disease severity (Global Impression- Severity, CGI-S) were collected. Results: Of 561 inpatients, 105 were admitted before the COVID-19 outbreak and 456 after, with an absolute increment of 30% for psychiatric diseases compared to neurological ones (33/105, 31.43% before vs. 187/456, 41.0% after;p = .013). For psychiatric diseases, there was an increase in the hospitalization duration (3.91 +/- 4.07 vs. 13.02 +/- 4.25;p = .04), an increase of subjects with previous neuropsychiatric disorders (27.7%, 9/33 vs. 47.7%, 89/187;p = .034), a decrease of CGAS scores (56,24 +/- 13,87 vs. 51,63 +/- 17,797;p = .050) and an increase disease severity worsening (CGI-S 3.76 +/- 1.12 vs. 4. 48 +/- 1.36;p = .006). In the female gender and in the ethnic minorities' subgroup, number of hospitalizations have statistically increased, with CGI-S and CGAS scores more impaired after the COVID-19 outbreak. On multivariate analysis, being female, having a previous psychiatric diagnosis, and belonging to an ethnic minority appeared to influence patients' overall impairment index (p < .005). Conclusions: The COVID-19 outbreak and the measures adopted to contain the virus spread had an impact on the severity of the course of psychiatric admissions, with greater influence on subjects who were already psychologically vulnerable, female, and who belonged to ethnic minorities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Italian) Introduzione: Lo scoppio della pandemia da COVID-19 e le relative misure di confinamento hanno minato il benessere psicologico della popolazione in eta evolutiva, soprattutto nelle categorie a rischio. Scopo dello studio e stato quello di valutare andamento e gravita dei soggetti accolti per patologia neuropsichiatrica nel contesto di uno stato prolungato di prosecuzione di misure di contenimento del contagio. Materiali e metodi: Sono state retrospettivamente raccolti i dati di tutti i soggetti di eta compresa fra 4 e 16 anni +/- 6 mesi ricoverati presso la UO di Neuropsichiatria Infantile dell'Ospedale Gaslini tra lo 01/01/20 e il 30/05/21. Per ciascun caso sono state annotate le caratteristiche demografiche e cliniche. I soggetti sono stati divisi tra ricoverati prima e dopo l'inizio della pandemia, considerato come data il 9 marzo 2020. Per i casi psichiatrici sono state applicate scale di funzionamento Children Global Assessment Scale (C-GAS) e di gravita Global Imression-Severity (CGI-S). Risultati: Di 561 accessi, 105 sono avvenuti preCOVID e 456 postCOVID, con un incremento assoluto del 30% degli accessi per patologia psichiatrica rispetto a quella neurologica (33/105, 31,4% preCOVID vs 187/456, 41,0% postCOVID;p = ,013). Per la patologia psichiatrica, si e assistito ad un aumento dei giorni di ospedalizzazione (3,91 +/- 4,07 vs 13,02 +/- 4,25;p = ,04), un aumento dei soggetti con precedente diagnosi neuropsichiatrica (27,7%, 9/33 vs 47,7%, 89/187;p = ,034), una diminuzione dei punteggi CGAS (56,24 +/- 13,87 vs 51,63 +/- 17,797;p = ,050) ed un aumento della gravita di patologia (CGI-S 3,76 +/- 1,12 vs 4,48 +/- 1,36;p = ,006). Nel sottogruppo di soggetti di genere femminile e delle minoranze etniche, i ricoveri per patologia psichiatrica sono risultati significativamente aumentati con punteggi CGI-S e CGAS maggiormente compromessi dopo lo scoppio del COVID-19. All'analisi multivariata, il sesso femminile, una pregressa diagnosi psichiatrica e l'appartenenza a minoranze etniche appaiono avere un effetto sull'indice di compromissione globale dei pazienti (p < ,005). Conclusioni: La pandemia da COVID-19 e le misure adottate per contenere il contagio hanno impattato la gravita del decorso dei ricoveri neuropsichiatrici, con maggiore effetto su soggetti gia fragili, di genere femminile ed appartenenti a minoranze etniche. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Several authors have underlined the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in several populations, including medical students, such as increases in anxiety, depression and burnout symptoms. Furthermore, previous studies showed that anxiety and depressive symptoms are positively associated with affective empathy and negatively associated with cognitive empathy. Given the adverse pandemic effects highlighted by several authors, the present study sought to determine whether medical students' empathy has been potentially impacted, with higher affective empathy and lower cognitive empathy score in the pandemic cohort compared to pre-pandemic cohorts. Medical students (n = 395) were recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic and completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and the Basic Empathy Scale (BES). This cohort was then compared with two pre-pandemic cohorts (one used the BES [n = 1168], and the other used the IRI [n = 342]). Similar results were found on both scales: the pandemic cohort displayed significantly higher scores in affective empathy and personal distress (affective empathy domain) and, surprisingly, significant higher scores in cognitive empathy, fantasy, and perspective-taking (cognitive empathy domains). As stressed by previous studies, we posited that the higher scores in affective empathy, personal distress, and fantasy might indicate emotional difficulties. The paper concludes with the identification of empathy components that should be promoted in the curriculum of medical students.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the effect of Critical Incident Stress Management on the mental health of nurses during COVID-19. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Jhelum Pakistan from Mar to Jun 2020. Methodology: Forty-six nurses were consecutively recruited and evaluated regarding Knowledge about COVID-19, thoughts regarding its origin, emotional reactions, and coping mechanisms. The evaluation was followed by the provision of Critical Incident Stress Management sessions in March. Finally, in the second phase conducted in June, the participants were evaluated again to assess the effect of intervention regarding the above parameters. Results: Results indicated a statistically significant shift in Knowledge from Social Media to Academic Resources (p<0.001). Thoughts regarding the origin of COVID-19 showed that ‘Religious Causes' and belief in ‘Religious and Biological Causes both” significantly reduced (p=0.001 and p=0.003, respectively), while opinions regarding ‘Biological Causes' increased in frequency (p< 0.001). Emotionally a significant reduction was seen in Confusion (p<0.001). A significant reduction was observed in Religious Rituals (p=0.002) for Coping Mechanisms. However, observing Safety Precautions and Distraction Strategies were insignificantly affected (p=0.668 and p=1, respectively). Conclusion: Critical Incident Stress Management helped healthcare workers sublimate their emotional reactions and helped them cope with a productive mindset for better management of the pandemic.
ABSTRACT
PR is a highly effective intervention comprising exercise therapy, disease education, behaviour change and psychological support. Recent guidelines have attempted to define PR, but the multicomponent character of the intervention means the precise content and delivery of PR is open to interpretation. Robust quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) processes measured against evidence-based quality standards or indicators can ensure that clinical care is provided to a high-quality standard. Providing transparent evidence of the quality of service to patients, referrers and health policy makers will assist the enhancement of referral rates and PR availability known to be poor in many countries and many healthcare settings. The presence of robust QC and QA will also permit the rapid development and evaluation of innovations in the delivery of PR services, such as have been required, for example, during the COVID-19 pandemic.Copyright © ERS 2021.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered people's lifestyles around the world. Prevention of recurrent episodes of the disease and mitigation of its consequences are especially associated with effective post-COVID-19 rehabilitation in patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the drug Likopid (glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide, GMDP) for post-COVID-19 rehabilitation in patients. Material and methods. Patients who recovered from mild to moderate COVID-19 (n=60, mean age 54+/- 11.7 years) were randomized into the observation group (n=30, 15 men and 15 women) who received 2 courses of Licopid (1 mg twice a day) and the comparison group (n=30, 15 men and 15 women). Analysis of the phenotypic and functional characteristics of the innate immune cellular factors was carried out before the start of immunomodulatory therapy, immediately after the end of the course, and also after 6 months observations. In order to assess the quality of life of all patients, we used the SF-36 Health Status Survey and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaires. Results. During assessing the effect of immunomodulatory therapy on the parameters of innate immunity of patients at the stage of rehabilitation after COVID-19, an increase in the protective cytolytic activity of CD16+ and CD8+Gr+ cells, as well as a persistent increase in TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 expression was found, which indicates the antigen recognition recovery and presentation at the level of the monocytic link of the immune system. The use of GMDP as an immunomodulatory agent resulted in an 8-fold reduction in the frequency and severity of respiratory infections due to an increase in the total monocyte count. As a result of assessing patients' quality of life against the background of the therapy, a positive dynamic in role functioning was revealed in patients. In the general assessment of their health status, an increase in physical and mental well-being was noted during 6 months of observation. The comparison group showed no improvement in the psychoemotional state. Discussion. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of GMDP immunomodulatory therapy in correcting immunological parameters for post-COVID-19 rehabilitation in patients. The data obtained are consistent with the previously discovered ability of GMDP to restore impaired functions of phagocytic cells and induce the expression of their surface activation markers, which in turn contributes to an adequate response to pathogens. Conclusion. The study revealed that the correction of immunological parameters with the use of GMDP in COVID-19 convalescents contributed not only to a decrease in the frequency and severity of respiratory infections, but also to an improvement in the psycho-emotional state of patients, and a decrease in anxiety and depression.Copyright © Eco-Vector, 2023. All rights reserved.
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Today people have a few unanswered questions in their mind, such as "Do negative emotions will co-survive with the COVID-19 pandemic? Which one is worse? Which one will disappear quicker? Is there any connection between negative emotions and being infected by COVID-19 or the severity of infected individuals' symptoms? How are we supposed to live with COVID-19 and adapt our emotional system to the virus for more than one upcoming year? These uncertainties could result in massive pressure on people. While there is no clear consensus regarding what establishes psychological stress on an individual, the effect of negative affect and psychological stress on increased susceptibility to disease due to altered immune functions is well established. Here we are going through the possible effect of emotions associated with the present pandemic on COVID-19 course of disease and severity of symptoms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
In previous work looking at individuals exposed to childhood trauma, we have found that decreased neuroticism, impulsivity, and trait anxiety, and increased conscientiousness are associated with a decreased risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD), suggesting these characteristics contribute to a relative resilience to alcohol misuse. In the current study we confirm and expand on these findings using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), which assesses resilience based on individual characteristics and coping mechanisms as well as social relationships. We analyzed CD-RISC data from two NIAAA protocols: 1) the Natural History Protocol (NHP) (n = 245;156 with AUD, 89 without AUD);2) the COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Alcohol Protocol (C19PIA) (n = 280;77 with AUD, 203 without AUD). Participants ranged from non-drinking healthy volunteers to heavy drinkers. In addition to the CD-RISC, assessments included the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 disorders, and questionnaires related to problematic alcohol use, positive and negative affect, personality, perceived stress, and quality of life (i.e., physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment). Data analysis was conducted using general linear models, and analyses were run separately for the two independent samples due to differences in data collection methodology. For the C19PIA protocol sample, analyses were conducted on measures collected both pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. In both the NHP and C19PIA samples, CD-RISC score was negatively associated with neuroticism, negative affect, and perceived stress, and positively associated with extraversion, conscientiousness, positive affect, and all four quality of life measures. In the C19PIA sample, these results were consistent for analyses of both pre-pandemic and pandemic-associated measures. CD-RISC score was lower in individuals with AUD compared to those without AUD. In the NHP sample, which was enriched for individuals with AUD, greater resilience was associated with decreased AUD severity, and decreased anxiety and depression symptoms, among those diagnosed with AUD. A similar association between resilience and decreased AUD severity was observed in the C19PIA sample before the pandemic. Resilience was also associated with a reduction in impaired control over drinking in the C19PIA sample, both before and during the pandemic. The current findings highlight resilience as a key construct associated with multiple factors at the individual, social, and environmental levels. Of note, the same resilience-associated factors were observed both before and during the COVID 19 pandemic, with the latter representing a major stressor for many individuals. The finding that greater resilience is associated with decreased disorder severity and reduced depression and anxiety symptoms among those with AUD highlights the potential of resilience-oriented approaches to treatment. These approaches, often promoted for trauma-exposed individuals, could also prove beneficial for alcohol use disorder.Copyright © 2023
ABSTRACT
Background: Hospitalization of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients can lead to burden of care and cause health problems for family members of the patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between burden of care and mental health of family members of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional correlation study was conducted from November 2021 to February 2022. The study population consisted 84 family members of COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized in Shariati Hospital affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The subjects were selected via consecutive sampling. Data collection was done using a demographic information form, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, the Zarit Burden Interview, and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 and at significance level of 0.05. Results: More than half of the participants (51.22%) experienced mild to moderate level of care burden, while 17.07% of them experienced moderate to severe level of care burden. The mean score of mental health in the participants was 16.925+or-1.953. By adjusting the demographic variables and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, the level of stress of family members led to more burden of care (coefficient beta= 0.608, 95% confidence interval= 0.451-1.556, P=0.001). Conclusion: Paying attention to the issue of stress in the family members of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and supporting these individuals can help to provide better care to the patients and reduce health challenges.
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Background: COVID-19 outbreak was declared a global pandemic in March 2020 by WHO. Due to person-to-person transmission of this infection, majority of countries of world introduced lockdown to ensure people stay at home. A complex bidirectional interaction exists between tinnitus and emotional distress, as they can exacerbate one another. Also, COVID-19 infection can cause damage to outer hair cells. The aim of this study is to find out relationship between COVID-19 and initiation or exacerbation of tinnitus. Method(s): The present retrospective study, after approval by Institutional Ethics Committee, was conducted in Department of ENT, GMC Jammu, from June 2020 to March 2021 on 90 patients with primary complaint of tinnitus. All 90 patients were asked to complete the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. Also, all patients were asked COVID-19-related questions (history of contracting virus/history of grief/anxiety/depression/stress/nervousness/financial status/ physical exercise/sleep routine/ social interactions). Result(s): Out of 90 patients, 72 patients (80%) had chronic longstanding tinnitus and 18 patients (20%) experienced tinnitus during pandemic. Out of 72 patients who gave history of longstanding tinnitus, 41 patients (56.9%) reported tinnitus to be stable during COVID-19 pandemic, 26 patients (36.1%) reported it to become more bothersome and 5 patients (6.9%) reported that tinnitus was improved. Out of 90 patients, 21 patients (23.3%) were diagnosed as COVID-19 positive. Of these 21 patients experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, 16 patients (76.2%) gave history of exacerbation of tinnitus, 4 patients (19%) gave history of tinnitus remaining stable and 1 patient (4.7%) said that tinnitus was improved. Out of 90 patients, history of negative psychological impact due to COVID-19 restrictions was seen in 65 patients (72.2%). Conclusion(s): With our study, we concluded that ENT specialists should be fully aware that not only pre-existing tinnitus may be exaggerated due to COVID-19 infection, but also, there can be development of new-onset tinnitus due to COVID-19 infection and the negative psychological impact due to COVID-19 pandemic.Copyright © 2022, The Author(s).
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed extreme divisions in the social and political structure of the United States. When health organizations recommended strategies such as physical distancing, hand hygiene, sanitation of surfaces, and isolating when sick to slow the spread of the disease, Americans appeared to divide into two factions;those who followed the public health guidance and those who persistently ignored it, often voicing perceptions of loss of freedom due to the guidance. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the extent to which political affiliation moderated the relationship between conspiracy mindset, trust in science, and reactance responses to COVID-19 public health protocols. The social identity approach, a blend of social identity and self-categorization theories explains the polarization in the United States to public health guidance designed to slow the spread of disease. Online surveys were administered via Survey Monkey to 220 American citizens who were active politically. Results indicated that political conservatives were significantly more likely to endorse conspiracy theories and to resist compliance with COVID-19 public health protocols. Additionally, those who distrusted science were significantly more likely to resist compliance with COVID-19 mitigation practices. Findings from this study have the potential to promote positive social change through a better understanding of the reasons for resistance to public health protocols designed to thwart the spread of COVID-19. Importantly, these results can be used to develop messaging that targets those susceptible to conspiracy beliefs and instead direct their attention to the science that informs public safety protocols in the interest of us all. . (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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This article describes how two Southeastern social work programs delivered integrated behavioral healthcare training to MSW students and social work practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 posed challenges across five domains, including: (a) adaptations to course curricula;(b) adaptations to field education curricula;(c) experiences of grief, distress, and behavioral health issues by stakeholders;(d) organizational strain to universities and departments;and (e) effects on clients and the community. This article describes specific ways in which these two training programs were impacted in these five areas and modified in response, as well as similarities and differences experienced across institutions. Implications for these training programs, and social work education programs in general, are offered.
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Background: Post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems employees can experience more than four weeks after first being infected with the COVID-19 virus. Long term complications of COVID drastically affects the productivity of working population. Objective(s): A cluster of employees with COVID-19 infection were successively intervened at TATA Motors, Jamshedpur. We aimed to reduce the post COVID complications amongst infected employees thereby reducing the morbidity and improving the productivity at workplace. Method(s): Employees with COVID-19 (confirmed by RAT/ CBNAAT or RT-PCR) were retrospectively enrolled. Based on various international guidelines, Post COVID functional status Scale and Post-COVID Mental Stress Assessment Scale were developed and introduced amongst target population. Employees with poor functional status Scale score (with score 3 and 4) were undergone mandatory preventive health checks (including physical, systemic, radiology/pathology examination). Employees with high mental stress score (with score 15 and above) were undergone psychiatric evaluation. Follow up assessment was done after six months. Result(s): 590 employees who got diagnosed COVID Positive between March 11, 2021, and June 9, 2021, were retrospectively enrolled. Universal sampling method was used for subject selection. The cohort included 519 (88%) men and 71 (12%) women, and the mean age was 45 5 years. The mean number of employees with poor functional status score (score 3 and 4) was 48 (8.1%). The mean number of employees with moderate mental stress score (score 10 to 14) was 27 (4.5%) and severe mental stress score (score 15 to 19) was 11 (1.8%). Employees with history of hospitalization (for more than 3 days) predominantly got diagnosed with poor functional and mental stress score (46 out of total 158 hospitalizations). At the end of six months interventions, around 42 (87%) employees got migrated from poor score category to mild category. The prevalence of major chronic systemic illnesses (3 cases of chronic Cardiac disease, 2 cases of Chronic Respiratory issues and 2 cases of psychiatry illnesses) remained below national prevalence. Conclusion(s): Preventive health interventions are really effective in achieving the prevalence of Post COVID morbidities amongst employees below the average national prevalence. Repeated medical follow up after first and six months of infection ensured better physical and mental wellbeing of employees improving their productivity at workplace. .
ABSTRACT
Introduction and Aim: Job and stress are not mutually exclusive;in fact, stress is inherent to job. In the present era of COVID pandemic, working as health care providers may entail highest levels of stress leading to burnout. Thus, affecting work efficiency of faculty, in turn reflecting on students' performance and health care services to patients. However, de-stressors like yoga and art-based interventions are scarce and not well documented to date. Hence, the present study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of stress alleviating yoga and creative art therapy through interprofessional collaborative approach. Method(s): Sixty medical faculty of either gender aging 30-60 years, were randomly divided into two equal groups-control and intervention group. The intervention group underwent yoga and creative art therapy for 10 days duration each. International stress management association (ISMA) stress questionnaire and Kessler's psychological distress (K-10) scale were administered before and post-intervention, to compare the stress levels. Blood pressure (BP), pulse rate, body mass index (BMI) and waist hip ratio (WHR) were also measured. Comparative analysis of pre-post test scores was done using Student's paired 't' test. Result(s): According to ISMA and K-10 scores, the intervention group showed statistically significant (p <= 0.05) decrease in stress levels among faculty. However, BP, BMI and WHR didn't show any significant change after the intervention. Conclusion(s): Yoga and art therapy were proved to be beneficial in reducing the stress levels among faculty significantly. Comparative analysis also showed significant reduction irrespective of their gender and specialty.Copyright © 2023, Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists. All rights reserved.
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Introduction: Working on the intensive care unit (ICU) exposes staff to the suffering of patients and their families as a consequence of devastating illnesses and injuries, often leading to psychological trauma. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified pressures on healthcare staff, resulting in deteriorating mental health and increased incidence of stress and burn out. The Intensive Care Society (ICS) has placed emphasis on peer support to combat this;recognising that working in a 'psychologically safe' environment improves wellbeing, enables safe and compassionate care, and reduces mistakes [1]. The aim of peer support is to improve wellbeing by offering a systematic, strategic approach to sustain staff who are coping well and provide initial support to those who are struggling. Method(s): Staff who have undertaken ICS training, under the supervision of a clinical psychologist, facilitate fortnightly meetings open to all ICU trainees. They also act as an initial contact to provide advice and guidance on addressing the psychological difficulties highlighted above. An anonymous screening questionnaire at the start of each session allows a moment of reflection for trainees prior to discussion. This, in addition to anonymous feedback, provides qualitative data to both audit the programme and inform improvement. Result(s): Participation in peer support is voluntary, nonetheless attendance at meetings has been excellent. Initial qualitative results indicate that most trainees feel 'nervous, anxious or on edge', 'question their capability at work' and are 'unable to stop thinking about work/a significant event at work' at least a few days per week. Feedback from trainees regarding the programme has been intensely positive. Conclusion(s): Anxiety and stress are high amongst ICU trainees which can lead to psychological harm if not addressed. Engagement from trainees in our programme has been good and feedback positive, emphasising the need for peer support in the ICU.
ABSTRACT
Background and aims: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between economic resilience, age and psychological well-being with the mediating role of optimism in COVID-19 epidemic in small and Medium businesses. Methods: The methodology was correlational using structural equations. To this end, 230 people with small businesses in Kerman were selected using purposeful non-random sampling method. They answered the questionnaires of economic resilience, optimism, and psychological well-being. The data were analyzed by path analysis using Amos and SPSS. Results: The findings showed that economic resilience not only directly affected psychological well-being, but it also indirectly affected people's psychological well-being in COVID-19 epidemic through influencing optimism. Moreover, it was found that age had an indirect effect on psychological well-being and the model had a good fit. Conclusion: According to the findings, it can be concluded that in the situation of COVID-19 epidemic, optimism plays a mediating role in the relationship between economic resilience, age and psychological well-being. © 2022 Iran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
ObjectivesThe SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic is recognized as a mass traumatic event in which COVID-19-related stress (CS) can indicate other trauma- and/or stressor-related disorder. The facets of mindfulness (observing, describing, acting with awareness, nonjudging, and nonreacting) have been linked to reductions in stress-related symptoms and thus may protect against CS. We extended previous research by evaluating mindfulness facets as resilience skills negatively related to CS. MethodUndergraduate students (n = 495) completed an online battery of questionnaires. A subsample of students endorsing clinically elevated CS (n = 165) was also evaluated. We utilized hierarchical regression to account statistically for the mindfulness facets in addition to indicators of psychological distress (e.g., negative affect, neuroticism, dissociation) and social desirability. We performed analyses twice, once in the overall sample, and once in the high CS subsample. ResultsLess observing and greater nonjudging related to reduced CS while other study variables were controlled for in the overall sample. In contrast, acting with awareness and nonjudging negatively related to CS in the subsample, but were not related to CS when we accounted for psychological-distress variables that positively related to CS in the analysis. ConclusionsAlthough variables indicative of psychological distress robustly contribute to CS, observing, acting with awareness, and nonjudging may be mindfulness skills that can be targeted to buffer clinically significant CS.PreregistrationThis study was not pre-registered. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
The American education system has been significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led schools to shut down and convert to remote learning environments in spring 2020. However, long before these school closures, school social workers (SSWs) have faced significant practice dilemmas, as they have encountered obstacles to their engagement in best practices. While initial pandemic school closures presented SSWs with a range of uncertain situations, they also provided the possibility to respond to practice demands in different and dynamic ways. This article explores the pandemic's impact upon SSWs' practice, and how SSWs responded in turn as they quickly adapted their practice during this widespread, ongoing crisis. Informed by crisis theory, previous analyses of SSW practice trends and dilemmas, and a review of traditional social work values and ethics, we conducted three focus groups in July 2020 with SSWs during the pandemic's early months. From these interviews, we learned that participants' work was disrupted by dramatic shifts in school and community settings, as well as changes in support needs within their respective school communities. Those disruptions gave way to substantial shifts in practice, which reflect a more prominent role for systemic practice and for traditional social work values in SSW decision-making. These findings offer implications for post-pandemic practice, and practice in other host settings.
ABSTRACT
The aim. To study peculiarities and association of psychological and laboratory indicators in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) who underwent COVID-19 to clarify the factors affecting the possibility of developing delayed psychological and cardiovascular adverse events. Methods. The study enrolled 350 patients with COVID-19. Group 1 consisted of 92 patients without CVD, Group 2 - of 258 patients with CVD. Indicators of laboratory and psychological parameters were assessed according to the data of psychological questionnaire using GAD-7 (General Anxiety Disorder-7), PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), PSS (Perceived Stress Scale) screening scales and SF-36. Parameters of complete blood count and biochemical blood tests were measured during hospitalization and three months after discharge from the monohospital. Results. After three months, in the general group of patients, signs of anxiety and depression were detected in more than 30 % of the examined patients, signs of stress - in 10.4 %. In the group with CVD, psycho-emotional disorders were identified in 1/4 of the patients, and severe stress - in 8 % of those included in the study. In addition, it was registered that the indicators of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fibrinogen, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine andIL-6remained at a higher level in the second group. Correlation analysis showedthatthe psychologicalcomponentofhealthis interconnectedwiththe levelofneutrophils (p= 0.044)andfibrinogen (p= 0.050);the physical component of health is correlated with the level of erythrocytes (p = 0.030), hemoglobin (p = 0.015), CRP (p = 0.002), creatine phosphokinase (p = 0.036) and glucose (p = 0.017). Regression analysis revealed that in patients with CVD three months after hospitalization, an increased glucose index contributes to deterioration, andincreasedhematocritandmean hemoglobin concentration improve the quality of life of patients. Conclusion. Laboratory markers that maintain the duration of a prolonged vascular reaction, violation of the rheological and metabolic properties of blood, determine the nature of the development of both psychological and cardiovascular complications. © 2023 Voprosy Literatury. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Psychological first aid (PFA) is an intervention strategy to support people in severe distress following crisis events. These traumatic events might include natural disasters, accidents, violent crimes or trauma experienced in nursing work, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Background: The Covid-19 pandemic seems to have an incessant out-turn on the people in every field in some or the other way. It has been reported that maximum number of deaths in the countries during this pandemic are caused due to a term called death anxiety or phobia. There are certain parameters such as anxiety, apprehension, depression which if influence a person can alter one's well-being. Objective(s): The steadfast intent of this review article is to narrate the psychological impact of this pandemic on dentists. The eloquence and emergence of this topic will alarm all the medicos and paramedics to have a check on this scenario. Method(s): The article consists of detailed study from several articles from PubMed publications. Articles written only in English language were referred. Various keywords such as "Covid-19 pandemic" or "Psychological Impact" were used. Result(s): The Covid-19 Pandemic has adversely affected all of us physically as well as psychologically. This article signifies the psychological impact of this pandemic on dentists. Conclusion(s): The current studies that are carried out till date show an extensive impact on the psychology of the dental professionals. The following review article elaborates the importance of the same.Copyright © 2023 Patil B et al.