Relationship Between Perceptions of COVID-19 and Social Media Use: A Cross-Sectional Study in Turkey

Objective: Although social networks offer a valuable opportunity to share the most up-to-date information and to assist in the management of the pandemic, they may also be associated with intensification of the societal concerns and fear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between perceptions of regarding the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), social media use and perceived stress in a community sample in Turkey. Methods: The target study population consisted of the healthcare workers of XXXX University and their close relatives/friends. Of the 1564 participants 375 were healthcare workers (24.0%), 481 were non-healthcare workers (30.8%), 297 were students (19.0%), 210 were unemployed subjects (13.4%), and 201 were retired (12.9%) individuals. For data collection sociodemographic form, Perception of COVID-19 (P-COVID-19), Perception of Causes of COVID-19 (PCa-COVID-19), Perception of Control of COVID-19 (PCo-COVID-19), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Social Network Addiction Scale (SNAS). The scales used were compared among the five groups that made up the sample. Results: Perception of COVID-19 dangerousness and contagiousness was significantly lower in retirees (p=0.003, p

Investigation of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms and Associated Factors in Children with Cerebral Palsy in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Parents' Perceived Social Support, Depression and Corona Anxiety

Objective: There is little research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children with cerebral palsy (CP). The primary aim of this study is to determine the level of anxiety and depression in children with CP during the COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary aim is to examine the relationship between perceived social support, depression and COVID-19 anxiety levels of parents of children with CP and anxiety and depression symptoms in children with CP. Material and Methods: Data were gathered by snowball sampling method using an online survey. Depression and anxiety levels of children with CP were evaluated via Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale-Parent (RCADS-P). Depression, corona anxiety, and perceived social support levels of parents of children with CP were evaluated with Beck Depression Scale for Primary Care, Corona Anxiety Scale (CAS), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, respectively. The Pearson correlation test was employed to assess whether or not there was an interconnection amongst continuous variables and different independent samples under consideration. Total Anxiety Scale, Major Depressive Disorder and Total Internalizing Scale sub-dimension scores of the RCADS-P were evaluated as dependent variables according to the groups in the multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The sample covered 102 children (61, %59.8 boys) with CP and their parents (67, %65.8 mothers). Predictors of the anxiety symptoms of children with CP, in order of importance, were the parents' corona anxiety total score (ß=0.324, p=0.003) and the parents' depression total score (ß=0.266, p=0.025). Only the parent' CAS total score predicted the depressive symptoms of children with CP (ß=0.365, p=0.001). Conclusion: Coronavirus anxiety of the parents was found to be the strongest predictor of anxiety and depression symptoms in children with CP. These results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the mental health needs of both children with CP and their parents. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR]

The Effect of the New Type Coronavirus Outbreak on Quality of Life and Suicidal Thoughts in Psychiatric Patients. / Yeni Tip Koronavirüs Salgininin Psikiyatrik Hastalarda Yasam Kalitesi ve Intihar Düsüncelerine Etkisi.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of perceptions on the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life and suicidal ideation in both healthy controls and individuals with psychiatric disorders. METHOD: The study was conducted on 4 different groups with 83 depressive disorders, 90 anxiety disorders and 61 schizophrenia patients who have been followed in Gazi University Medical Faculty Hospital Mental Health and Diseases outpatient clinic since before the COVID-19 pandemic period and another group of 93 healthy volunteers. Participants were evaluated with Sociodemographic Data Form, Suicide Probability Scale (SPS), SF-36 Quality of Life Scale (SF- 36), Perception of COVID-19 Scale (P-COVID-19), and Perception of Causes of COVID-19 Scale (PCa-COVID-19). RESULTS: The perception on the danger and contaigiousness of P-COVID-19 scored lowest in the schizophrenia group, compared to other groups and PCa-COVID-19's Conspiracy and Belief subdimension scores were highest. In all groups, a significant negative correlation was found between the P-COVID-19's dangerousness subdimension score and the SF-36 scale's Mental Health sub-dimension. Again, in all groups, significant positive correlations were found between the Dangerousness sub-dimension score of P-COVID-19 and the anger/impulsivity, hopelessness/loneliness and suicidal thoughts sub-dimensions of the SPS. CONCLUSION: The negative effects of perceptions associated with COVID-19 on mental health were observed both in groups with a psychiatric disorder and in healthy controls. The higher number of participants and longitudinal research will provide a better understanding of the effects of perceptions associated with COVID-19 and will guide the necessary treatment interventions.

Predictors of depression, anxiety and stress among remote workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on work and home life, changing all daily routines of remote workers. It is extremely important to figure out some changes in home and work life that may affect the mental health of remote workers more. OBJECTIVES: The first aim of the study was to investigate the predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress among first-time remote workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second aim was to explore sex differences regarding work and home life during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The sample consisted of 459 participants who have been working from home for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey used included questions relating to sociodemographic characteristics, changes in work and home life, Depression Anxiety Stress Questionnaire-Short Form, Jenkins Sleep Scale, and Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 17.9%, 19.6%, and 19.6% of the participants, respectively. Poor sleep quality, trouble focusing at work, being female, workplace loneliness, low levels of control over working hours, and low levels of physical activity were predictors of depression. Poor sleep quality, increased workload, and being female were predictors of anxiety. Poor sleep quality, trouble focusing at work, being female, financial concern, and workplace loneliness were predictors of stress. It was observed a higher increase in both housework and working hours during the COVID-19 pandemic in women. CONCLUSION: Determining the variables that can affect the mental health of remote workers is highly important for timely psychological intervention.