Stigma, Sociodemographic Factors, and Clinical Factors Associated with Psychological Distress among COVID-19 Survivors during the Convalescence Period: A Multi-Centre Study in Malaysia.

High rates of psychological distress among COVID-19 survivors and stigmatisation have been reported in both early and late convalescence. This study aimed to compare the severity of psychological distress and to determine the associations among sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, stigma, and psychological distress among COVID-19 survivors across two different cohorts at two different time points. Data were collected cross-sectionally in two groups at one month and six months post-hospitalisation among COVID-19 patient from three hospitals in Malaysia. This study assessed psychological distress and the level of stigma using the Kessler Screening Scale for Psychological Distress (K6) and the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC) stigma scale, respectively. At one month after discharge, significantly lower psychological distress was found among retirees (B = -2.207, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = -4.139 to -0.068, p = 0.034), those who received up to primary education (B = -2.474, 95% CI = -4.500 to -0.521, p = 0.014), and those who had an income of more than RM 10,000 per month (B = -1.576, 95% CI = -2.714 to -0.505, p = 0.006). Moreover, those with a history of psychiatric illness [one month: (B = 6.363, 95% CI = 2.599 to 9.676, p = 0.002), six months: (B = 2.887, CI = 0.469-6.437, p = 0.038)] and sought counselling services [one month: (B = 1.737, 95% CI = 0.385 to 3.117, p = 0.016), six months: (B = 1.480, CI = 0.173-2.618, p = 0.032)] had a significantly higher severity of psychological distress at one month and six months after discharge from the hospital. The perceived stigma of being infected with COVID-19 contributed to greater severity of psychological distress. (B = 0.197, CI = 0.089-0.300, p = 0.002). Different factors may affect psychological distress at different periods of convalescence after a COVID-19 infection. A persistent stigma contributed to psychological distress later in the convalescence period.

Cyber Bullying - A New Social Menace

jective: Cyber bullying is a combination of the word cyber and bullying where cyber basically means the Internet or on-line. In this case, cyber bullying will focus on getting in action with bullying by using the Internet or modern technologies such as on-line chats, online media and short messaging texts through social media. The current review aims to compile and summarize the results of relevant publications related to “cyber bullying." The review also includes discussing on relevant variables related to cyber bullying. Methods: Information from relevant publications addresses the demographics, prevalence, differences between cyber bullying and traditional bullying, bullying motivation, avenues to overcome it, preventions, coping mechanisms in relation to “cyber bullying” were retrieved and summarized. Results: The prevalence of cyber bullying ranges from 30% - 55% and the contributing risk factors include positive association with perpetration, non-supportive school environment, and Internet risky behaviors. Both males and females have been equal weigh on being perpetrators and victims. The older groups with more technology exposures are more prone to be exposed to cyber bullying. With respect to individual components of bullying, repetition is less evident in cyber bullying and power imbalance is not measured by physicality but in terms of popularity and technical knowledge of the perpetrator. Conclusion: Due to the limited efforts centralized on the intervention, future researchers should focus on testing the efficacy of possible interventional programs and the effects of different roles in the intervention in ord