Variables protecting mental health in the Spanish population affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

Cognitive and Emotional Resilience in Parents with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder During COVID-19: The Role of Promoting Variables

The pandemic resulting from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has entailed social and psychological consequences for the Spanish population, with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) being particularly vulnerable due to their genetic characteristics. The present study focuses on the efforts of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder to improve their situation during the pandemic. In particular, the objective is to identify promoting variables (subjective well-being, positive mental health, social support, humour, cognitive reappraisal, and self-esteem) and sociodemographic variables that predict resilience, marking positive coping with this adverse situation. Furthermore, the study conceptually explores the potential role of emotional intelligence in resilience-building processes. We hypothesised that higher scores in these promoting variables would predict greater resilience, with emotional intelligence potentially serving as an underlying framework. The methodology employed in this study is as follows: A cross-sectional predictive study was conducted on a sample of 799 parents using an online questionnaire administered during the social confinement resulting from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The information analysed is based on data provided by the parents. Statistical methods included Student's t-tests, Pearson's correlations, and stepwise multivariate regression analysis to identify predictors of resilience. The results of the study are presented below. Significant resilience scores and resilience prediction were identified in participants based on positive mental health, emotion regulation, sense of humour, social support, age, and employment status (self-employed). Relations with emotional intelligence were identified, particularly in the domains of emotion regulation, cognitive reappraisal, and positive mental health. Discussion: The necessity of an intervention that prioritises the empowerment of resilience in the target population is substantiated. Practical implications suggest leveraging emotional intelligence strategies to enhance resilience in this population. This study highlights the importance the aforementioned variables, in addition to potential strategies for enhancing the sociodemographic circumstances of the families.

Exploring the associations between resilience and psychological well-being among South Africans during COVID-19

Resilience pertains to an individual's ability to withstand, adapt, and recuperate from adversity and stress. As the world grapples with unprecedented challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the relationship between resilience and psychological well-being becomes essential. Preliminary observations suggest that those with a higher resilience tend to have better psychological well-being, indicating a possible symbiotic relationship between the two. This study was structured using a cross-sectional survey design. A convenience sampling technique was employed, including 631 respondents in South Africa. Data collection took place between June 11 and July 9, 2022, facilitated through a Google Forms questionnaire. This questionnaire encompassed various instruments, namely a biographical questionnaire, the CD-RISC 10, the WHO Well-being Index, the FACIT-Sp-12, and the PMHS. The findings from the collected data highlighted a strong correlation between resilience and overall well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. This elevation in resilience can be instrumental in augmenting psychological well-being. As such, interventions or programs aimed at enhancing individual and community well-being might benefit from incorporating elements that bolster resilience, especially during periods of global adversity.

Variables that enhance the development of resilience in young gay people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

AIMS

Sexual and gender minorities are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety caused by COVID-19. However, they also have specific variables that have been little studied but which may protect them from this adverse situation. The aim of this study was to find out whether there were differences in socio-demographic and psychosocial variables in two groups of Spanish gay young people (high and low resilience), and predictors of risk and protective factors were examined.

METHODS

Nine hundred and seventy-nine young homosexuals (389; 39.73% self-reported as women) aged between 18 and 26 years old who experienced mandatory confinement due to COVID-19, completed an anonymous online questionnaire. Hope, perceived self-efficacy, reappraisal index, coping humour, anxiety, depression were assessed along with socio-demographic information. Data were collected between 15 and 26 April 2020.

RESULTS

Socio-demographic variables that were predictive of highly resilient behaviour included being between 24 and 26 years old, living with LGBTI+ peers and living in big cities, protective psychosocial variables included reframing in reappraising the confinement situation, humour as coping, social support from significant others and self-efficacy.

CONCLUSION

This is one of the first studies on this subject of compulsory COVID-19 confinement on young homosexuals in Spain. Mental health professionals and organizations should also include work on psychosocial protective factors, not just risk factors, to enhance resilient outcomes in this group.

Resilience After COVID-19: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional Study

The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between resilience and health-related quality of life in patients following COVID-19 disease among those with and without lingering symptoms. The study design is descriptive and cross-sectional. Participants (n = 97) were adults who had earlier contracted COVID-19 disease and were in post-infection status between July and October 2020. Participants completed the following instruments: Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Short-Form 12-item Health Survey, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Approximately 35% post-COVID-19 patients had a low level of resilience. The impact on the health status and resilience of those who had reported symptoms after 6 months was also significant. Age and depression had a significant impact on level of resilience. This relationship can affect patient recovery and negatively impact the ability to cope with COVID-19 disease. It is necessary to implement specialized training for clinicians on the effects of long-term COVID-19 to improve patient care. Long COVID symptoms might manifest months after an acute COVID-19 illness; clinicians who can confirm patient reports of these symptoms may help patients recover and become more resilient.

[Resilience and General Self-Efficacy are Related to Perception of COVID-19 Symptomatology, Mental Health, and Coping with Acute COVID-19 Infection]

OBJECTIVE

The COVID-19 pandemic may be associated with massive impacts on mental health. For example, people with pre-existing mental illness were particularly vulnerable to mental health deterioration. It is known that resilience and general self-efficacy can be protective factors for mental health in the face of stress and challenge such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is the first to examine the associations of resilience and general self-efficacy on mental health coping with acute COVID-19 infection in home isolation.

METHODS

This study is a cross-sectional online survey of people with acute, PCR-diagnosed COVID-19 infection during their home isolation. Recruitment was conducted by telephone via the Freudenstadt health department (Germany). After informed consent, study participants received a link for an online questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic aspects, resilience, general self-efficacy, COVID-19 somatic health, psychological burden (depressiveness, anxiety, somatic symptom disorder), stress experience, and coping strategies. Descriptive statistics, correlational analyses, and multiple linear regressions with resilience and general self-efficacy as independent variables were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 224 home-isolated people with acute COVID-19 infection were included in the study. Lower resilience and lower general self-efficacy were each related with more intense perception of COVID-19 somatic symptoms, higher psychological burden, increased stress perception, lower coping skills, and lower experienced support.

DISCUSSION

Resilience and general self-efficacy are essential for mental health as well as for coping with acute COVID-19 infection. They not only protect against negative effects on mental health but also enhance positive effects. Resilience is positively related to the perception and evaluation of somatic COVID-19 symptoms. More resilient people with COVID-19 infection feel physically healthier.

CONCLUSION

Home-isolated people with acute COVID-19 infection should be screened for support needs using standardized brief questionnaires to avoid negative psychological and somatic consequences. Demand-driven, low-threshold, digital, and individualized intervention programs should also be developed and established for the home isolation setting.

An Exploratory Mixed-method Descriptive Analysis of Youth Coping during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Quebec

This study presents an exploratory mixed-method descriptive analysis of psychological distress, challenges encountered and coping strategies of youth during the first wave of COVID-19. A total of 4 914 Quebec youth, aged 14 to 25 recruited through social media completed an online survey on the impact of the pandemic on their daily life, psychological distress and post-traumatic growth. They were also invited to answer two open-ended questions regarding the difficulties they experienced and their coping strategies. Overall, 26.6% of youth showed serious psychological distress and 20.3% displayed probable PTSD symptoms related to the COVID-19. Comparative analyses revealed that youth identifying as gender and sexual minorities were more vulnerable to distress during the first wave of the pandemic. While few sociodemographic variables distinguish youth reporting post-traumatic growth from those who do not, the former group was more likely to seek and receive social support. Qualitative data highlighted difficulties that were common to many respondents including lack of social contacts, the lockdown itself, and problems related to disruptions of educational and academic activities. Youth also mentioned three main strategies they used to cope: maintaining social contacts, engaging in leisure activities and physical exercise. While many youths have encountered compelling challenges during the lockdown of the first wave of COVID-19, some report having relied on efficient coping strategies to deal with the situation. Support services should be implemented to help the youth cope with the pandemic while considering their diverse needs.

Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and Prosocial Tendency in the Relation Between College Students' Post-traumatic Growth and Entrepreneurial Intention in the Post-COVID-19 Era

In this study, we explore the psychological mechanisms underlying the relation between college students' post-traumatic growth and their entrepreneurial intentions in the post-COVID-19 era. Using the post-traumatic growth, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, prosocial tendency, and entrepreneurial intention scales, we tested 690 valid samples of Chinese undergraduates (including 445 men and 245 women). The results revealed that post-traumatic growth of college students in the post-COVID-19 era will have a significant and positive effect on their entrepreneurial intentions. Additionally, the results indicated that students' entrepreneurial self-efficacy and prosocial tendencies play a partial mediation role between post-traumatic growth and entrepreneurial intentions in the post-COVID-19 era and that there is a chain mediating effect between students' entrepreneurial self-efficacy and prosocial tendencies. This study provides valuable insights into the influence of post-traumatic growth on entrepreneurial intentions among college students in the post-COVID-19 era and suggests that colleges and universities can improve students' entrepreneurial intentions by adopting measures to foster their post-traumatic growth, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and prosocial tendencies.

Predictor variables of mental health in the Spanish population confined by COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Drastic changes in the lifestyle of individuals have been caused by coronarivus SARS-CoV-2 with lethal effects associated with COVID-19, which acts as a stressor for the population with adverse effects on mental health status. The aim was to identify which sociodemographic variables and psychological factors predict psychological disorders in the general Spanish population.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 699 people exposed to a confinement situation, where 402 (57.51%) were women and 297 (42.49%) were men, between 18 and 73 years old (M = 27.79; SD = 12.68). Different sociodemographic and psychological variables were assessed to see if they predicted levels of anxiety and depression.

RESULTS

The results identify the predictive capacity of some sociodemographic risk variables such as sex (β = .144; IC95% = 1.341-3.376) and living with people who are ill with COVID-19 (β = .088; IC95% = 1.157-6.785), as well as protective factors such as self-efficacy (β = -.126; IC95% = -0.282-0.066) and hope (β = -.429; IC95% = -0.591-0.408) in mental health. In predicting anxiety levels, self-efficacy and hope are protective factors, especially when living with people in essential services. In levels of depression, only hope is considered a protective factor in people living with patients infected by COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to advance in the understanding of sociodemographic and psychological variables in a Spanish sample subjected to the stressful and traumatic effects of the SARS-CoV-2 viral agent.

Exploring resilience and well-being of family caregivers of people with dementia exposed to mandatory social isolation by COVID-19

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised questions about the resilience of health care systems worldwide. In this regard, one group of people whose physical and mental health has been affected has been family caregivers of people with dementia.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to identify the variables that predict a high degree of well-being in family caregivers of people with dementia during this period of mandatory lockdown.

METHODS

A total of 310 respondents participated in an online survey (266 women and 44 men) from various regions in Spain, aged between 20 and 73 years old (M = 46.45; SD = 15.97), and all were family members.

RESULTS

The results showed that there were notable differences in all the protective variables, together with a significant strong positive relationship between well-being and resilience (r = 0.92; p < 0.01) and with coping strategies (r = 0.85; p < 0.01), and there were also some significant negative relationships between well-being and difficulties in emotional regulation (ρ = -.78; p < 0.01). The most predictive variables of a higher level of well-being included the type of dementia (β = 1.19; CI (95%) = 1.01-1.29; p< 0.01), living in a large house (β = 0.97; CI (95%) =. 23-0.98; p < 0.01), social support as a coping strategy (β = 1.27; CI (95%) = 1.21-1.29; p < 0.01) and mainly resilience (β = 1.34; CI (95%) = 1.30-1.37; p < 0.01).

DISCUSSION

We discuss the importance of promoting higher levels of resilience through the development of protective psychosocial variables in caregivers of people with dementia exposed to situations of mandatory social isolation as a modulator of the psychosocial well-being of these family caregivers.

Underlying factors in the willingness to receive and barriers to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine among residents in the UK and Nigeria: a qualitative study

Qualitative data on the factors underlying the willingness to receive and barriers to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine were scant in the literature. Therefore, the authors employed a qualitative design with a heterogeneous sample of 60 residents (age range = 18-79 years) in the UK and Nigeria to explore the factors underlying their willingness to receive and barriers to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The thematic analysis was employed to analyze data. The results revealed that only a small number of the participants had received the COVID-19 vaccine; they experienced soreness and itchiness, and their motive for receiving the vaccine was its availability. The participants who had not received the vaccine reported the following as determinants of their willingness to receive the vaccine: "concerns about the side/adverse effect", "the perceived benefit of receiving the vaccine", "mistrust (in the pharmaceutical companies that produced the vaccine, the vaccine itself, or governments)", "the need for clarity of information on the vaccine", and "moral obligation to receive the vaccine". The participants who had not received the vaccine further reported the following as other barriers that limit them from receiving the vaccine: "unavailability of the vaccine in the country of residence", "non-membership to a high-risk group", and "membership to a minority group". In terms of what governments can do to encourage public uptake of the vaccine, many participants reported: "provide clear information on the COVID-19 vaccine", "endorsement by public figures", "make the vaccine free to receive", "introduce rewards and punishments", and "honesty from governments". Implications for practice are highlighted.

The mechanism of governments' and individuals' influence on protective behaviours during the second wave of COVID-19: a multiple mediation model

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to spread and resurge globally with signs of a second wave, despite actions by governments to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. However, evidence-based strategies to combat COVID-19 recurrence are poorly documented. Objective: To reveal how governments and individuals should act to effectively cope with future waves, this study proposed a preventive model of COVID-19 resurgence. Method: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 1,137 residents of Beijing, where the epidemic reoccurred. Structural equation model was used to explore the mechanism among government intervention, perceived efficacy, positive emotions, posttraumatic growth (PTG) and protective behaviours. Results: Data analysis revealed that during COVID-19 resurgence, government intervention could directly and indirectly influence protective behaviours through individual factors (i.e. perceived efficacy, positive emotions), and PTG could mediate the indirect pathway to protective behaviours. Conclusions: These findings implied that government intervention needs to be integrated with individual factors to effectively control repeated COVID-19 outbreaks.

Bienestar emocional y resiliencia en profesionales de la educación social durante el confinamiento por la COVID-19

La pandemia de COVID-19 y las medidas de confinamiento resultantes han impactado en la salud física y mental de la población de diferentes maneras. Como profesionales esenciales, los educadores sociales que trabajan en centros de atención residencial para niños y jóvenes han tenido que hacer frente a presiones adicionales como las medidas de confinamiento domiciliario y tener que continuar su trabajo en circunstancias excepcionales. Para evaluar el impacto de las medidas de cierre en el bienestar emocional y la resiliencia de los educadores sociales, se realizó un estudio exploratorio ex post facto basado en una muestra de 72 educadores sociales (30,6% hombres y 69,4% mujeres) que trabajan en centros residenciales de protección de la infancia en Cataluña. La encuesta recogió datos sobre el bienestar emocional (PANAS y SWLS) y la resiliencia (RS-14), y también los datos sociodemográficos de los participantes. Los resultados muestran valores similares en relación con el bienestar emocional y la resiliencia, sin diferencias significativas entre las categorías sociodemográficas. Se encontró una correlación positiva entre el equilibrio afectivo, la satisfacción vital y la resiliencia. Las conclusiones del estudio ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de apoyar el bienestar emocional de los educadores sociales promoviendo su capacidad de resiliencia, teniendo en cuenta la ya de por sí compleja tarea de atención socioeducativa a la infancia y adolescencia en acogimiento residencial, y la dificultad adicional del confinamiento.

Impact of COVID-19 on psychological wellbeing

This cross-sectional study aims to record post-traumatic stress (PTS) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) of the general population of China during the first wave of COVID-19 spread. Method: An online survey was distributed in China during February and March 2020 to record the general population's PTS (using the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version, PCL-C) and PTG (using the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory, PTGI) due to COVID-19. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFAs) and a Two-Part Model (TPM) of regression analysis were conducted. Results: In total, 29,118 Chinese participants completed the survey (54.20% were in their 20s, 68% were males, and 60.30% had a university education). CFA results illustrated that bifactor models described the Chinese psychometric traits of PTS and PTG over the default models. Results of TPM suggested that female, low-educated, and middle-aged individuals were more vulnerable to PTS. Remarkably, mutual and positive correlations between the PTS and the PTG, though small in statistics, were observed through regression analyses. Conclusions: The current results presented new best-fit structural models, potential predictors, and valuable baseline information on the PTS and the PTG of the Chinese population in the context of COVID-19.

The Impact of General Self-Efficacy on Psychological Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Posttraumatic Growth and the Moderating Role of Deliberate Rumination

Purpose: This study used a moderated mediation model to explore the relationship between general self-efficacy (GSE) and psychological resilience (PR) and the associated mechanisms, the mediating role of posttraumatic growth (PTG), and the moderating role of deliberate rumination (DR) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Knowledge of the relationship between these four variables examined further understanding of the PR improvement mechanism of college students and even the general public. Methods: The college students who participated in this study came from an independent college in Guangdong Province, China. A total of 918 college students completed the survey, and the final data sample size was 881. SPSS 23.0 and PROCESS (version 3.3) were used to conduct Pearson's correlation analysis and hierarchical regression linear analysis on the data. Results: (1) The correlation analysis showed that GSE and PR were positively correlated and that PTG was positively correlated with GSE and PR. DR was positively correlated with GSE, PTG, and PR. (2) The results of mediation analysis showed that GSE had a direct predictive effect on DR, and PTG partially mediated the relationship between the two. (3) The results of moderating effect analysis showed that DR hindered the effect of GSE on PTG but enhanced the positive impact of PTG on PR. Conclusions: General self-efficacy can improve PR under the mediating influence of PTG. DR played a positive moderating role in the relationship between GSE and PTG, and played a negative moderating role in the relationship between PTG and PR. These results advance the understanding of the mechanism between GSE and PR.

Confinement Situation of the Spanish Population during the Health Crisis of COVID-19: Resilience Mediation Process in the Relationship of Dispositional Optimism and Psychological Well-Being

The pandemic generated by COVID-19 is one of the most complex challenges humanity has faced in recent years. This study aims to explore the levels of dispositional optimism, resilience and psychological well-being in the sociodemographic and economic situation produced during the state of alarm and to investigate the resilience mediation between optimism and psychological well-being. The sample included 566 volunteers from Spain (73.5% women; M = 40.2 years, SD = 12.8). An ad hoc questionnaire was applied to request socioeconomic data and dispositional optimism (LOT-R). Resilience and psychological well-being were, respectively, evaluated by the Ryff scale and the Wagnild and Young scale. The results show that older and people with higher educational levels are more optimistic and have better psychological well-being. Well-being is also greater in married, divorced and widowed people and in those who have lived in outdoor spaces. However, those with spaced housing were more optimistic. Finally, it was found that the most optimistic people have better psychological well-being and that this is increased by the mediation process exercised by the ability to overcome adversity, provided age and educational level are controlled. It can be concluded that the design of preventive programs focused on improving strengths, positive emotions and skills in the population would be convenient to protect mental health.

Influence of Resilience and Optimism on Distress and Intention to Self-Isolate: Contrasting Lower and Higher COVID-19 Illness Risk Samples From an Extended Health Belief Model

The study investigated the influence of resilience and dispositional optimism on, first, emotional distress and, second, the intention to self-isolate, experienced by people with a lower and higher illness risk, during the lockdown imposed in Spain during the first COVID-19 wave. These effects were investigated against the background of the Health Belief Model (HBM). A convenience sample of N = 325 participants completed an online survey including an ad-hoc questionnaire measuring the HBM core factors: Perceived health threat (susceptibility and severity of getting infected), and perceived quarantine benefits and costs. Self-efficacy and perceived social pressure were also measured. Based on reviews regarding pandemic outbreaks, quarantine benefits were conceptualized as the perceived effectiveness and solidary contribution of self-isolating in line with the quarantine protocols. Quarantine "psychosocial" costs were conceptualized as a composite of perceived boredom, loneliness, and economic concerns. Findings revealed an asymmetrical pattern of results so that (i) people at higher risk were more distressed by the perceived severity of getting infected whereas people at lower risk were more distressed by the psychosocial costs. Moreover, (ii) resilience and optimism were more "protective" against distress within the lower and higher risk groups, respectively. In addition, (iii) quarantine benefits and self-efficacy promoted the intention to self-isolate within both groups. However, (iv) optimism hindered such intention. This finding is discussed in the light of links between dispositional optimism and optimistic bias; the underestimation of experiencing negative events, which can relax the perceived health risk. Based on these findings, communication campaigns should prioritize information about the effectiveness of the implemented preventive behaviors rather than the costs of not implementing them, and be cautionary in encouraging excessive optimism.

The mediator role of the fear of COVID-19 in the relationship between psychological resilience and life satisfaction

COVID-19, which has recently affected the world, has caused serious adversities in many areas as well as on the mental health of individuals. People have had a serious fearful mood due to situations such as catching COVID-19, having health problems after catching the disease, and worrying about infecting someone else. This negative mood is discussed in the literature through the concept of the fear of COVID-19. Accordingly, the mediator role of the fear of COVID-19 in the relationship between psychological resilience and life satisfaction was examined in this study. This study was conducted with 430 Turkish university students, 279 women and 151 men, who are between the ages of 18 and 30. The data of the study were collected with the psychological resilience, the fear of COVID-19 and life satisfaction scales. As a result of the analysis, it was concluded that psychological resilience is a negative predictor of the fear of COVID-19 and a positive predictor of life satisfaction, and that the fear of COVID-19 is a negative predictor of life satisfaction. It was also concluded that the fear of COVID-19 mediates the relationship between psychological resilience and life satisfaction. The results are discussed in relation to the relevant literature, and suggestions are made for practitioners and researchers.

Effects of Bicultural Identity Integration and National Identity on COVID-19-Related Anxiety Among Ethnic Minority College Students: The Mediation Role of Power Values

PURPOSE

The current study investigated the association between bicultural identity integration (BII, incorporating BII-harmony and BII-blendedness), national identity, and anxiety related to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among ethnic minority college students. In addition, this research examined the mediation role of power values in the relationship between BII, national identity, and COVID-19-related anxiety.

METHODS

This cross-sectional research design made use of online surveys. Using convenience sampling, participants comprised 235 Chinese ethnic minority college students drawn from four colleges in the ethnic minority autonomous regions of China. Data were collected during June 2020. Participants mainly lived in ethnic minority communities or villages in southwest China before receiving higher education at urban campuses.

RESULTS

Correlation analysis revealed that BII-harmony, BII-blendedness, and national identity were significantly negatively correlated with COVID-19-related anxiety. Mediation model analysis showed that power values were significantly positively correlated with COVID-19-related anxiety. Power values play a mediating role in the relationship between BII-harmony, national identity, and COVID-19-related anxiety, and have an inhibitory effect on this relationship.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that BII-harmony and national identity could have the function of protecting ethnic minority college students from COVID-19-related anxiety. Emphasizing individualistic personal power values could increase COVID-19-related anxiety, whereas a collectivist identity reduces anxiety. These findings could provide another perspective on psychological interventions to reduce anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.