Fully Protected: A Look at PPE and the Armor of God.

ABSTRACT: The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic can be compared with a Christian's spritiual protective action of putting on the armor of God as described in the New Testament. The use and significance of each item of PPE is compared with the equivalent article of the spiritual armor of God.

Black adolescents' perceptions of COVID-19: Challenges, coping, and connection to family, religious, and school support.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic swept the nation by surprise, leaving a deep-seated impact on individuals' social, mental, and physical health. Despite there being disparities between Black and White/non-Hispanic individuals, minimal research has been conducted to explore the effects of the virus on marginalized groups. This study aimed to investigate Black adolescents' perceptions of their experiences with COVID-19, including the challenges they encountered, the coping strategies they employed, and their use of religious/spiritual and school-based support. Twelve Black youth between the ages of 12 and 18 years were interviewed during the early stages of the pandemic (June and July of 2020). Participants struggled with adjusting to the changes in their daily routines, navigating virtual learning, and emerging mental health difficulties (e.g., anxiety). To cope with these challenges, participants relied on emotion and problem-focused coping strategies, including strategies that were religious/spiritual in nature. Participants also relied on social support from family, school personnel, and their religious community, though they lamented about the varied support received from the latter two. Findings from this research support calls for mental health providers to employ culturally affirming mental health services and engage in interagency collaboration to support Black youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychological and spiritual outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective longitudinal study of adults with chronic disease.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective longitudinal study examined whether coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to changes in psychological and spiritual outcomes among adults with chronic disease. METHOD: Participants (N = 302) were a stratified, nonrandom sample of adults (Mage = 64.46, SD = 10.86, 45.7% female). The sample was representative of the chronically ill, U.S. adult population in gender, race/ethnicity, region, and religious affiliation but older in age and higher in socioeconomic status. Participants completed online-administered measures 1 month before the March 11 pandemic declaration (T1) and then 1 and 3 months after it (T2 and T3). At T1 through T3, they completed measures of depression, anxiety, personal suffering, psychological well-being, trait resilience, optimism, hope, grit, spiritual struggles, spiritual fortitude, and positive religious coping. At T2 and T3, they also completed measures of social support, physical health, resource loss, perceived stress, and COVID-19 fears and exposure. RESULTS: Overall, people did not change substantially in psychological or spiritual outcomes over time. However, trait resilience increased and personal suffering declined. People highest in prepandemic suffering increased in spiritual fortitude. Racial/ethnic minorities increased in religious importance. Roughly half (48.9%) of participants exhibited psychological resilience (no/minimal depression or anxiety symptoms) at both T2 and T3. Perceived stress and psychological resource loss were associated with adverse mental health outcomes, but social support and physical health were not. COVID-19 fears contributed more to mental health than COVID-19 exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Even among vulnerable populations such as adults with chronic disease, during pandemic conditions like COVID-19, many people may exhibit-or even increase slightly in-psychological and spiritual resilience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Art in support of life: Caravaggio and the plague.

In the struggle with COVID-19, art offered a way to face the solitude of the lockdown. The focus of this paper is primarily on Caravaggio's painting The Seven Works of Mercy, with references to other paintings to amplify some aspects of the artist's approach to life and his uniqueness in the artistic landscape of his time. Darkness was part of Caravaggio's research for spiritual truth and by entering the stories of his life and exploring the tales told through imaginative expression in his paintings, it is possible to understand his process of exploration of ancestral darkness. The author uses her imagination to reflect on how art can help to contact the profound fears buried in the unconscious which are now being awakened by the pandemic. The contemplation of this painting facilitated the emergence of emotions related to the darkness of our time, with the discovery that empathy and mercy offer a way to come to terms with the pandemic. This approach demands a different understanding of reality with Caravaggio's dark creative world becoming a companion that permits the exploration of what is not yet thinkable in daily life. Images accompany the author's research that relies on her imagination and amplifications.

Dans la bataille avec la COVID-19, l'art a offert une manière de faire face à la solitude du confinement. L'accent de cet article vient principalement du tableau du Caravage Les sept œuvres de miséricorde, avec des références à d'autres tableaux pour amplifier certains aspects de l'approche de l'artiste et sa singularité dans le paysage artistique de son époque. Pour le Caravage, la noirceur fait partie de la recherche de vérité spirituelle. En entrant dans les histoires de sa vie et en explorant les récits racontés au travers de l'expression imaginative dans ses tableaux, il est possible de comprendre son processus d'exploration de la noirceur ancestrale. L'auteur utilise sa propre imagination pour réfléchir à comment l'art peut aider à contacter les peurs enterrées dans l'inconscient et qui sont maintenant éveillées par la pandémie. La contemplation de ce tableau a facilité l'émergence d'émotions liées à la noirceur de notre époque, avec la découverte que l'empathie et la compassion offrent une voie pour se confronter à la pandémie et l'accepter. Cette approche requiert une compréhension différente de la réalité et le monde noir et créatif du Caravage devient un compagnon qui permet l'exploration de ce qui n'est pas encore pensable dans la vie quotidienne. Des images accompagnent la recherche de l'auteur qui se fie à son imagination et ses amplifications.

En la lucha con el COVID-19, el arte ofreció una vía para enfrentar la soledad del confinamiento. El foco del presente trabajo es principalmente la pintura Siete obras de Misericordia, de Caravaggio, con referencias a otras pinturas para amplificar algunos aspectos del acercamiento del artista a la vida, y su singularidad en la escena artística de su tiempo. La oscuridad fue parte de la búsqueda de Caravaggio por la verdad espiritual, y al entrar en las historias de su vida y explorar los cuentos narrados a través de su expresión imaginativa en sus pinturas, es posible comprender su proceso de exploración de la oscuridad ancestral. La autora utiliza su imaginación para reflexionar sobre cómo el arte puede ayudar a contactar miedos profundos enterrados en el inconsciente, los cuales ahora están siendo despertados por la pandemia. La contemplación de esta pintura facilitó la emergencia de emociones relacionadas con la oscuridad de nuestro tiempo, con el descubrimiento de que la empatía y la compasión ofrecen una vía para poder llegar a términos con la pandemia. Este abordaje demanda una comprensión diferente de la realidad con el mundo creativo de Caravaggio volviéndose un aliado que posibilita la exploración de lo que aún no puede ser pensado en nuestra vida cotidiana. Imágenes acompañan la investigación de la autora, que se basa en su imaginación y en amplificaciones.

Reflections on a wounded and bleeding temenos.

COVID-19, Black Lives Matter, and financial and political turmoil have uprooted our sense of personal and collective safety and predictability. Analysts are faced with professional and personal challenges, as well as a charge to help make sense of this new normal. This reflective piece focuses on the author's thoughts on a wounded and bleeding temenos. She grapples with the new reality of analysis carried out via technology (e.g. Zoom or telehealth). The article interweaves personal experiences with theoretical and professional reflections on two Jewish myths that relate to creating temenos or sacred space in the face of ancient disasters. Specifically, she discusses Choni HaMagel, a first-century BCE Jewish scholar and miracle-maker who prays for relief from a drought from inside a sacred circle. She also tells the tale of four Chassidic Rebbes who face crisis from a sacred space in the forest. The author frames this piece with two personal and numinous dreams dreamt during the pandemic; one offering scenes of destruction and one offering hope for a future transformation.

La COVID-19, le mouvement Black Lives Matter, et l'agitation politique et financière ont déraciné notre sentiment de sécurité personnelle et collective, ainsi que le caractère prévisible dans notre expérience. Les analystes font face à des défis professionnels et personnels, et à la responsabilité d'aider à donner du sens à cette nouvelle normalité. Ce travail réflectif s'articule autour des pensées de l'auteur concernant un téménos blessé, qui perd son sang. L'auteur se confronte à la nouvelle réalité de l'analyse, pratiquée par le biais de la technologie (par exemple zoom). L'article entremêle les expériences personnelles et les réflexions théoriques et professionnelles sur deux mythes Juifs qui parlent de la création d'un téménos ou espace sacré dans une situation de désastres antiques. Elle étudie Honi HaMe'aguel, érudit Juif et faiseur de miracles du premier siècle avant J.C., qui prie - à partir d'un cercle sacré - pour le soulagement d'une terrible sècheresse. Elle évoque également le récit de quatre Rabbins Hassidiques qui font face à une crise à partir d'un espace sacré dans la forêt. L'auteur structure son travail autour de deux rêves personnels numineux rêvés durant la pandémie, l'un montrant des scènes de destruction et l'autre montrant l'espoir d'une transformation future.

COVID-19, el movimiento Black Lives Matter, y la crisis política y financiera ha removido nuestra sensación de seguridad y previsibilidad personal y colectiva, Los y las analistas se confrontan con nuevos desafíos profesionales y personales, así como con la carga de ayudar a crear algún sentido de esta nueva normalidad. Esta pieza reflexiva se centra en los pensamientos del autor acerca de un herido y sangrado temenos. Ella lidia con la nueva realidad del análisis llevado a cabo por vía de la tecnología (Zoom o telesalud). El artículo integra experiencias personales con reflexiones teóricas y profesionales sobre dos mitos judíos, que se relacionan con la creación de un temenos o espacio sagrado frente a antiguos desastres. Específicamente, describe Choni HaMagel, un erudito Judío del Siglo I AC y creador de milagros quien reza pidiendo el alivio de una sequía desde dentro de un círculo sagrado. También cuenta la historia de cuatro Rabi Jasídicos quienes confrontan una crisis desde un espacio sagrado en el bosque. La autora estructura esta pieza con dos sueños personales y numinosos, soñados durante la pandemia; uno ofreciendo escenas de destrucción y otro, escenas de esperanza para una futura transformación.

Reflection: Spirituality during COVID-19.

In this article, the author describes how spirituality affect the lives of people during COVID-19 pandemic. The author reflects on the meaning of religiosity and spirituality (R/S) from a practical, theological and pastoral point of view. This article presents new insights on the ongoing search for meaning and purpose of life amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The mediating role of religiosity and hope for the effect of self-stigma on psychological well-being among COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: Over the past few months, there has been a significant increase in mortality and morbidity due to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Less attention has been paid to stigmatism, psychological well-being, hope, and religiosity, and how these may impact a patient's recovery. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to detect the difference in religiosity, hope, self-stigma, and psychological well-being (PWB) due to demographic variables (age, education level, social status, and level of income). Additionally, the research sought to test the mediation role of religiosity and hope in the relationship between self-stigma and psychological well-being among COVID-19 patients. METHOD: A random sample of 426 COVID-19 patients answered an online questionnaire that contained four scales (Religiosity, Hope, stigma, and PWB). The data collected from the study participants were analyzed quantitatively by using One-way ANOVA, Exploratory Factor Analysis EFA, Confirmatory Factor Analysis CFA, and Structural Equation Model (IBM SPSS statistics 21, and Amos v.25). RESULTS: The current results showed statistically significant differences due to age in hope and well-being, in favor of the sample members belonging to the age group from 30 years old and over old, while there were no differences in religiosity and stigma due to age. There were no differences due to education level in religiosity, hope, stigma, and well-being. Results showed statistically significant differences in well-being in favor of the married group, while there were no differences in religiosity, hope, and stigma due to social status. Regarding the effect of income level in the study variables, the results showed no differences due to religiosity, hope, stigma, and well-being. Moreover, the findings found that both religiosity and hope play a mediating role. CONCLUSION: Religiosity and hope play a mediating role in the relationship between stigma associated with COVID-19 and psychological well-being. These results indicate several strategies to reduce the adverse effects of the stigma associated with COVID-19 and increase well-being among COVID-19 patients.

Religious Support as a Contribution to Face the Effects of Social Isolation in Mental Health During the Pandemic of COVID-19.

Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic has required measures to contain the contagion, including social isolation. However, this and other factors have caused mental health problems, both in patients and health professionals and in family members or asymptomatic population. Religious support can be an ally for this type of confrontation. In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, spiritual/religious care has been restricted and insufficient. When accessible to patients and frontline professionals, they are offered by virtual means, almost always by recorded media and made available in bulk. This essay argues, based on references in the areas of psychology, psychoneuroimmunology, biosafety, and military, that the face-to-face and personalized relationship between religious leaders, patients, health professionals, family members, and faith communities is as essential as possible for the dignified treatment victims, referral to spiritual needs and resilience of society, in addition to contributing to the improvement of the immune response of all. Practical examples are cited in the areas of military chaplaincy and hospital civilian chaplaincy. The essay also proposes the adoption of protocols already published by WHO and other safety measures such as the use of robotics and the recruitment/training of mass chaplains. In addition to contributing to the improvement of COVID-19 pandemic coping processes, the study also contributes to improving the delivery of spiritual/religious care as an ally to physical and mental, individual, and collective health.

The Association Between Positive Religious Coping, Perceived Stress, and Depressive Symptoms During the Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Among a Sample of Adults in Palestine: Across Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: The current study was designed to investigate the relationship between positive religious coping, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms among Palestinian adults in response to the emergence of coronavirus (COVID-19), and the quarantine system implemented in the city of Tulkarem, Palestine. METHODS: A correlational study was conducted to examine the relationship between study variables. Participants were 400 Palestinian adults, involving 172 males and 228 females, living in the city of Tulkarem, Palestine, during the spread of coronavirus. Participants were selected using convenience and snowball sampling techniques. RESULTS: Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to test the relationship between positive religious coping, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress. Findings revealed a statistically significant negative correlation between positive religious coping and depressive symptoms (r = - .17, p < .01). Results also indicated a statistically significant negative correlation between positive religious coping and perceived stress (r = - .15, p < .01). The regression analysis for predicting depressive symptoms found that both positive religious coping (B = - .21, SE = .05, ß = - .18) and perceived stress (B = .41, SE = .05, ß = .35) were statistically significant toward explaining variance in depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: The importance of developing intervention programs that take into consideration religious/spiritual struggles and positive religious strategies may help improve resilience and well-being among affected populations. With the recent spread of COVID-19, findings of this current study have presented important practical implications for improving the mental health and well-being among Palestinians, especially since Palestinian society continues to face different types of stressors, such as illegal occupation. Further studies are recommended to test the relationship between current study variables and other related variables.

A Jerusalem Synagogue Coping During the Coronavirus Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities.

A diverse Modern Orthodox synagogue in Jerusalem continued to serve its congregants and maintain community despite closures and restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. Members were surveyed in April 2020. There were minorities of members who were experiencing mental health issues, especially those less acculturated and no one surveyed received any professional mental health help. About a quarter of the members said that regular check-ins were important but some said they were not receiving enough of them. Synagogues can potentially serve as coping resources for congregants both during periods of crisis as well as during regular periods of operation.

"When the going gets tough, the tough get-Creative": Israeli Jewish religious leaders find religiously innovative ways to preserve community members' sense of belonging and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This commentary describes the religiously innovative adaptations made to customary rituals by Jewish religious leaders to address issues of belonging and resilience during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic quarantine. These adaptations included allowing religious prayer through a "balcony" minyan, conducting an online chavruta using video conferencing, and broadcasting the Passover ceremony. The approach shown here could contribute to future evidence-based research, conducted among different faiths, about the roles of both religious leadership and information and communications technology (ICT) in preserving one's sense of belonging and resilience in times of crisis. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychological trauma and moral injury in religious leaders during COVID-19.

Religious leaders are at risk of psychological trauma and moral injury during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article highlights potentially traumatic or morally injurious experiences for religious leaders and provides evidence-based recommendations for mitigating their impact. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Social and psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in African-American communities: Lessons from Michigan.

The mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are particularly relevant in African-American communities because African-Americans have been disproportionately impacted by the disease, yet they are traditionally less engaged in mental health treatment compared with other racial groups. Using the state of Michigan as an example, we describe the social and psychological consequences of the pandemic on African-American communities in the United States, highlighting community members' concerns about contracting the disease, fears of racial bias in testing and treatment, experiences of sustained grief and loss, and retraumatization of already-traumatized communities. Furthermore, we describe the multilevel, community-wide approaches that have been used thus far to mitigate adverse mental health outcomes within our local African-American communities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).