RESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to quantitatively clarify the physical and mental health of first year university students whose classes were conducted online due to COVID-19. The checklist of Visual Display Terminal (VDT) syndrome suggested that physical stress was placed mainly on the eyes, shoulders, neck, and head. In addition, from the results of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) scale, higher values were obtained than those of previous studies, which indicated the poor mental health of first year university students. Consequently, university academics who conduct online classes must consider the physical and mental fatigue of the students. In contrast, there was a correlation between university students who had desire for Hikikomori and students who preferred on line classes. In other words, for students who experienced difficulties with existing face-to-face classes, it is suggested that online classes are one of the potential solution. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
RESUMEN
Objective: to study the causes and predictors of mental disorders during the COVID-19 epidemic in those who turned to psychiatrist for the first time, as well as in patients with already diagnosed mental illness. Patients and methods. We examined 100 patients who turned to a psychiatrist due to a deterioration in their mental state during the pandemic, 50 patients were newly diagnosed (Group 1) and 50 with previously diagnosed mental disorders (Group 2). The study was carried out by a clinical method using a specially designed map, followed by statistical processing of the obtained data. Results and discussion. Mental disorders caused by the COVID-19 pandemic more often occurred at a young age, in patients with higher and secondary specialized education, and in single patients. In the 1st group, as a result of exposure to psychogenic factors (the influence of the media, quarantine, economic changes), anxiety (36.8%) and depressive (21.1%) disorders occurred more often, and after the coronavirus infection, depressive disorders were in the first place (54.2%). The 2nd group mostly included patients with endogenous disorders (bipolar affective disorder - 24%, recurrent depressive disorder - 20%, schizophrenia - 20%), which were exacerbated more often as a result of COVID-19, to a lesser extent - psychogenic (experiences associated with a change in material status and illness of relatives). Obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, somatoform disorders have been associated with epidemic factors. Conclusion. The results obtained indicate that there are differences between the mental disorders that first appeared during the pandemic and the exacerbations of the condition in mentally ill patients, which relate to the predictors, causes and clinical manifestations of these disorders.Copyright © 2022 Ima-Press Publishing House. All rights reserved.
RESUMEN
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.
RESUMEN
Background: Children who are neurodiverse have traditionally been segregated from their peers in community-based programs, despite evidence of health benefits of inclusive education. Objectives: This community-initiated project aims to explore barriers and facilitators to inclusive aquatics programming for children with developmental and/or mental health challenges. Methods: Using a participatory-action research methodology, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 14 participants from various stakeholder groups, including parents of children who are neurodiverse, helping professionals, and community programmers. Results: Participants described unique definitions of inclusion, from integration with neurotypical peers, to individualized goal-setting and achievement. Major facilitators include adequate resources, flexibility around accommodations, and motivated staff. Major barriers include social stigma, financial limitations, and lack of communication between caregivers and service providers. Conclusions: Participants felt strongly about the need to improve inclusion practices within aquatics—and other community-based—programs. Increased collaboration between families, community programmers, and helping professionals can foster better inclusion and outcomes for children who are neurodiverse. By incorporating various perspectives into the design of future programs, program administrators can ensure more equitable access such that all children are able to participate.
RESUMEN
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.
RESUMEN
The transgender population has higher rates of psychiatric disorders and stigma within medical settings. Literature suggests that gender-affirming care is the standard when working with such patients. There are limited studies regarding treating these patients with severe mental illness (SMI). This article explores how to treat SMI that impacts patients' reality to the point where their assigned sex cannot be acknowledged. The case presented is that of a transgender woman, where clarification of her natal sex was crucial to treatment. The patient denied her natal sex, endorsing a history of miscarriage. Studies on treatment of transgender SMI patients are limited. Gender-affirming treatment is the standard of care for these patients. Training how to ask pertinent questions and communicate effectively is necessary to prevent misdiagnosis, unnecessary treatment, and agitation. [Psychiatr Ann. 2023;53(5):221–223.]
RESUMEN
The COVID-19 pandemic represented a highly dynamic cause of multisystem disturbances that evoked complex and largely differing responses of countries, communities, neighbourhoods, families, schools, and individuals. With these multisystem complexities in mind, it is nearly impossible to fully understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human development. Nevertheless, when applying appropriate research designs, it is possible to gain some major insights on how human development unfolded during this global crisis. The main goal of this special section was to collect some of the strongest studies that have been conducted to better understand various aspects of human functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on youth and their caregivers. The studies that were chosen for this special section comprise children, adolescents, emerging adults, and mothers, and they aimed to better understand changes in life satisfaction, mental health, academic motivation, food intake, and parenting. Taken together, these studies provide highly informative spotlights on human development in times of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they call for future analyses to further elucidate unexpected findings that might have occurred more often than we have initially thought. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of European Journal of Developmental Psychology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
RESUMEN
Within the field of maternal mental health, studies have demonstrated the connection between social support and postpartum depression (PPD). The purpose of this study was to further understand the experience of social support by women who have gone through PPD through the use of a qualitative phenomenological research design. In addition, this study will focus on the helpful and unhelpful aspects of social support received by participants and what types of social support participants found to be missing in their postpartum experience. Within this dissertation study, the researcher interviewed 15 women to understand their experience of social support in connection to PPD while utilizing the lens of Family Stress Theory and feminist theory. Six categories emerged from the interviews in this study: 1.) the experience of PPD, 2.) the concept of social support, 3.) the kind of social support mothers experienced, 4.) helpful forms of social support, 5.) helpful forms of social support, and 6.) missing social support for women. In this study, the researcher also addressed contextual factors and elements related to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19. The primary researcher also discussed clinical implications for mental health professionals, limitations of the study, and future research implications in the field of maternal mental health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
RESUMEN
Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator triple combination therapy (TCT) is available to approximately 85% of the U.S. CF population. Clinical trials of TCT demonstrate numerous improvements in physical health and healthrelated quality of life (HRQoL), but fewstudies have examined the effects of TCTon mental health and psychosocial outcomes, and little is known about whether gains in HRQoL are sustained over time.We aimed to describe the HRQoL and psychosocial outcomes of people with CF (PwCF) initiating TCT and explored changes in these outcomes up to 1 year after starting TCT. Method(s): This longitudinal study enrolled PwCF aged 14 and older who were followed at a large, combined pediatric and adult CF center. Questionnaires were administered within 6 months of initiating TCT (baseline) and 3, 6, and 12 months later. Study self-report measures evaluated were HRQoL (Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised;CFQ-R), optimism, self-efficacy, medication-related beliefs (Medication Beliefs Questionnaire;MBQ), perceived social stigma of illness, and body image. Data were also collected from medical charts on measures of health and mental health screening. Four open-ended questionswere included at each timepoint to elicit qualitative data on experiences starting TCT. Longitudinal data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models for repeated measures. Result(s): Sixty-three adults and adolescents with CF completed the full set of surveys at baseline. Mean participant age was 30.0 +/- 14.2. Fifty-four percent identified as female, 43% as male, and 2% as nonbinary. Seventyfour percent had private insurance. Mean percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1pp) at baseline was 76.0 +/- 24.1%, and mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.9 +/- 3.1 kg/m2. At 12 months, mean FEV1pp was 80.8 +/- 21.9%, and mean BMI was 24.5 +/- 4.1 kg/m2. On standard measures used in CF mental health screening, mean baseline Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score was 3.4 +/- 3.5, and mean General Anxiety Disorder score was 3.4 +/- 3.7. Mean PHQ-9 (3.5 +/- 4.0) and GAD-7 (3.4 +/- 3.7) scores at 12 months were similar to baseline. We found no statistically significant differences between the survey time points in participants' physical, respiratory, or emotional functioning on the CFQ-R, but there was a significant change in social functioning ( p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant change over time in optimism or selfefficacy, but there was a significant difference in CF medication beliefs between the four survey time points ( p = 0.008 for MBQ Importance subscale), with a decrease in perceived importance from baseline to 12 months. Conclusion(s): Whereas lung function and BMI increased in our sample by 12 months, similar improvementswere not seen in standard mental health outcomes. There was no change over time in physical, respiratory, or emotional functioning, optimism, or self-efficacy. Only CFQ-R social functioning had changed by 12 months, perhaps reflecting decreased COVID-related social isolation. There was also a change in medicationrelated beliefs, with a decrease in perceived importance of taking CF medications at 12 months. Future directions include conducting qualitative analyses of open-ended questions and further examining data on social stigma, motivation to take medications, and body image, as well as examining relationships between outcome variables and baseline FEV1 and BMICopyright © 2022, European Cystic Fibrosis Society. All rights reserved
RESUMEN
Literature data show that acute, severe, and also chronic stress play an important role in the development of somatic and mental disorders. It is well documented in the literature that starting university studies results in anxiety in many ways for individuals. In this present work, we examined how perceived stress affects the appearance of depression and sleep disorders among a special group: the first-year undergraduates. In February 2020, 134 students completed a 14-question Perceived Stress Scale questionarre. In addition, the 13-question Beck Depression Scale and the 8-question Athens Insomnia Scale were used as measures to assess their current mental health status. Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the extent to which anxiety and depressive symptoms changed had become a major issue worldwide. In June 2020, we repeated our previous measures in the given population with the same methods. Our research clearly proved higher perceived stress values among undergraduate students, which were associated with high depressive symptom parameters and insomnia. However, unexpectedly, questionnaires completed during the quarantine period of the COVID pandemic showed lower perceived stress, which was accompanied by a decrease in depressive symptoms and insomnia. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Further & Higher Education is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
RESUMEN
Stressors are especially widespread in urban agglomerations. Common themes of built environment interventions that support health and well-being are blue and green infrastructure, indoor and outdoor air quality, thermal comfort, access to natural lighting, and acoustics. Given the current megatrends of increasing summer temperatures and the high popularity of home offices, we aimed at modeling thermal comfort changes of people working at home in three Austrian cities (Vienna, Innsbruck, and Graz) during the next decades until 2090. We present findings based on (I) an inter-disciplinary literature search and (II) indoor and outdoor climate simulations for actual and future climate scenarios. Based on the results, we discuss the potential impacts for work and human health and well-being, and we suggest a framework for the home office in "post-COVID-19 Austria” that integrates social, ecological, and economic aspects. The results of our study indicate that, in future climate scenarios, overheating of the interior can no longer be prevented without active cooling measures and nature-based solutions. Recommendations on the adjustment of behavior under climate change, including greening, adequate ventilation, and cooling techniques, are thus urgently needed for employees who are working from home in order to maintain physical and mental health and wellbeing.
RESUMEN
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.
RESUMEN
Background: Various neurological disorders have been reported after vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019, one of which is Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). Case Presentation: We report a case of a 73-year-old woman who developed GBS and extra-GBS manifestations 19 days after the second dose of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. She presented lower limb predominant muscle weakness and loss of tendon reflexes. Nerve conduction study showed acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy. In addition, she developed notable deep sensory ataxia, and showed positive pathological reflex, gaze-evoked nystagmus and altered consciousness, which suggested brainstem involvement. Conclusion(s): This is the first coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine-related GBS complicated with such central nervous system manifestations.Copyright © 2023 Japanese Society for Neuroimmunology.
RESUMEN
In the beginning of 2020, the world turned into a dangerous place for all;the outbreak of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (shortly: COVID-19) seemingly affected all persons alike. Seemingly, the impact of the infection and the way it was treated differed markedly between people and countries. As a result, COVID-19 made many victims, disproportionately among older aged, the poor, ethnic minorities [1], and people with preexisting medical conditions like diabetes [2] or a recently diagnosed mental disorder [3]. These people appeared to have a higher risk of mortality. Beside the risk of infection, the COVID-19 outbreak impacted the whole population, resulting in heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and stress [4] both directly through the virus threat [5] as indirectly through loss of income [6] and social contact [7]. Although the pandemic had—and still has—a severe impact on the mental and physical health of those who were infected or at risk of being infected, people do seem to differ in the extent their lives were and are influenced by the infection. Recently, for instance, Bonenkamp et al investigated the mental health of 177 dialysis patients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic [8]. Their study showed that the mental health experienced by this group of patients was unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The conclusion of the authors was that "dialysis patients may be better able to cope with the pandemic since they have high resilience and are less impacted by social distancing measures.” An alternative interpretation could, however, be that the mental health of people who undergo such an invasive treatment is already quite poor and might not be able to get any lower (floor effect). Nevertheless, as shown by the following quote of a young, chronically ill patient, individual persons differ in the way they cope with the pandemic:
RESUMEN
Researchers, teacher educators, frontline practitioners, policymakers, families, students, and community members need to understand the short-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and plan effectively for future pandemics by having a shared understanding of mental health and well-being. This chapter defines mental health, summarizes the known impacts of COVID-19 on mental health, describes lessons learned, and offers a model to guide school and community stakeholders as they prepare effectively for future pandemics. To maximize successful proactive and reactive approaches, the chapter concludes with a Call to Action for science-backed, human-centered planning, preparation, response, and recovery. Planning and preparing effectively for future pandemics and ongoing threats requires stakeholders to understand that large-scale trauma events impact not only the mental health of children and youth but also those who care for and educate them. In responding to the present public health crisis and in ameliorating further harm, not only is there an urgent need to strengthen current school-based mental health services but there is also a vital need to better prepare and plan for future pandemics. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
RESUMEN
Coping with COVID-19 has been difficult for humankind globally. While there has been an assessment of the challenges people face concerning COVID-19, there is sparse research on the coping mechanisms used in different spheres. This paper lurched into this gap and looked specifically at selected female students of the Durban University of Technology, exploring their coping processes as they balance the reality of COVID-19 and the challenges of university life. Folkman and Lazarus' (1988) coping theory and the associated ways of coping (WCQ) factors (confrontive coping, distancing, self-controlling, seeking social support, accepting responsibility, escape-avoidance, planful problem-solving and positive reappraisal) are the foundations of this study's conceptual framework. This study used the WCQ factors within a qualitative interpretive analysis to interpret reflective pieces of 14 female students enrolled in a university-wide module – Cornerstone. The module aims to induct students into the higher education community with the values and practices that promote self-awareness, social justice and environmental knowledge. Findings revealed the difficulty experienced by the students in balancing life and academic contexts. The study also showed that COVID-19 had worsened their social realities because of the regulations on social distancing and public gatherings, thus inhibiting educational or physical social contact. These made female students vulnerable to mental health issues. Therefore, they used multiple coping mechanisms to deal with challenges during the COVID-19 period.
RESUMEN
The federal government allocated an unprecedented level of funding to develop emergency rental assistance programs to help vulnerable low-income renter households remain housed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using panel data from two waves of applicant surveys joined with administrative data, this article analyzes the impact of Phase 1 of the City of Philadelphia's COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program and asks how emergency rental assistance affected households in their rent arrears, rent-related debt, and mental health. Analysis shows that receiving emergency rental assistance was associated with lower arrears, a lower probability of rent-related debt, and a lower probability of experiencing frequent debilitating anxiety. The findings suggest that the initial rent relief provided crucial support for households in terms of financial and mental well-being but also underscore that housing affordability challenges that predated the pandemic cannot be addressed by an emergency rental assistance program created in response to a pandemic.
RESUMEN
Three categories of modern dilemmas are immediately apparent in relation to reimagining and committing to a more proactive code in I-O, given their overlap with contemporary issues in technology and data management, health and accessibility, and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion: ethical use of assessments (e.g., AI in selection);ethical conduct of research and data analysis;and ethical imperatives for fairness, inclusiveness, wellness, and equity in organizations, particularly in light of recent world events (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic, social justice movements, inflation and economic challenges). Algorithms are then bound by the quality (and bias) incorporated into the data upon which they are trained and tested. [...]with the regulatory landscape in flux, it becomes even more important to utilize an ethical code to develop assessments. [...]relatedly, I-O psychologists who conduct research in organizations may not have regulatory oversight (e.g., institutional review board governance, peer review processes, expectations for pre-registration and open science practices) to guide their studies;if present and applicable, regulatory oversight may still be mismatched with organizational research, often ill fitted to certain types, disciplines, and contexts, or only focused on particular elements or stages of the research process while neglecting others (e.g., Bell & Wray-Bliss, 2009;Buchanan & Bryman, 2009;Greenwood, 2016). [...]I-O psychologists may also find themselves in ethical dilemmas as workers return to the office post pandemic. [...]proactive behavior is more likely and important within uncertain contexts, particularly those