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Nahidi M, Mirza Hoseinzadeh Moghaddam Z, Tabesh H, Afshari Saleh L, Rohani F, Shoib S. Prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and their psychosocial correlates among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2024; 39:174-180. [PMID: 37556309 DOI: 10.1097/yic.0000000000000476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate their association with related sociodemographic features and other psychological symptoms. In this cross-sectional study, students from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences with no major exam in the preceding or following month were surveyed during April to August 2021 through stratified available sampling. Data were collected by a structured online questionnaire distributed through social media platforms. OCS were assessed using Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) and COVID-related stress was evaluated using COVID Stress Scale (CSS). Overall, 347 students with a mean age of 22.67 ± 2.56 years were included in this study, of whom 30.3% had probable obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; OCI-R score ≥21). Mean CSS scores in students with and without probable OCD were 38.64 ± 19.82 and 26.72 ± 16.63, respectively ( P < 0.005). Total CSS score was significantly correlated with OCI-R score ( r = 0.38, P = 0.001). Around one-third of the medical students reported significant OCS during COVID-19 pandemic, which was associated with higher COVID-19-related stress. Further research provides insight into management of OCD and related disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Nahidi
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
| | | | - Hamed Tabesh
- Department of Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
| | - Lahya Afshari Saleh
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Division of Sleep Medicine, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Sheikh Shoib
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Hospital, Srinagar, Kashmir, India
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Pozza A, Ragucci F, Angelo NL, Pugi D, Cuomo A, Garcia-Hernandez MD, Rosa-Alcazar AI, Fagiolini A, Starcevic V. Worldwide prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 172:360-381. [PMID: 38452635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic governments worldwide implemented contagion-containing measures (i.e., physical distancing, hand sanitizing, mask wearing and quarantine). The similarities between these measures and obsessive-compulsive phenomenology (e.g., contamination concerns and repetitive washing and/or checking) led to inquiries about the frequency with which obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) were encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to ascertain the prevalence of OCS in individuals of any age during the pandemic (i.e., any obsessive-compulsive symptoms that are clinically significant as shown by a score above the cut-off score of a scale, without necessarily fulfilling the diagnostic threshold for a diagnosis of OCD). A systematic search of relevant databases identified 35 studies, which were included in the systematic review following our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most of the studies were conducted in adults from the general population and adopted an online assessment method, with 32 studies being eligible for meta-analysis. The meta-analysis resulted in a 20% average prevalence of OCS during the pandemic, with very high heterogeneity among the included studies (I2 99.6%). The highest prevalence of OCS was found in pregnant women (36%, n = 5), followed by individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 (22%, n = 4) and general population (22%, n = 19), undergraduates (21%, n = 5), and healthcare workers (5%, n = 5). The prevalence rates of OCS were higher in Asia (26%, n = 17) and North America (25%, n = 3) than in Europe (13%, n = 12) and Africa (7%, n = 4). Among the studies included, rates appeared higher in certain countries, though this difference did not reach statistical significance and was limited by very few studies conducted in certain countries. When compared to pre-pandemic rates, there seemed to be higher rates of OCS during the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia, Europe, and pregnant women. These findings are discussed considering the impact of the pandemic and contagion-containing measures on the perception and reporting of OCS, and susceptibility of the vulnerable population groups to experiencing OCS during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pozza
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Psychology Unit, Department of Mental Health, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy.
| | - Federica Ragucci
- Neuromotor and Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Nicole Loren Angelo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Daniele Pugi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cuomo
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Psychiatry Unit, Department of Mental Health, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Ana Isabel Rosa-Alcazar
- Department of Personality, Assessment & Psychological Treatment, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Andrea Fagiolini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Psychiatry Unit, Department of Mental Health, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - Vladan Starcevic
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Nepean Clinical School, University of Sydney, Australia
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Carmassi C, Tosato S, Pedrinelli V, Bertelloni CA, Abbate-Daga G, Albert U, Castellini G, Luciano M, Menchetti M, Pompili M, Sampogna G, Signorelli M, Massimetti G, Fiorillo A. Longitudinal trajectories of anxiety and depression in subjects with different mental disorders after one year in the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatry Res 2024; 334:115680. [PMID: 38368843 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the development and trajectories of anxiety and depressive symptoms among subjects with different mental disorders, during the 3rd wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (T0, March-April 2021) while strict containment measures were applied in Italy, and after 3 months (T1, June-July 2021), with reduced restrictive measures. A sample of 527 subjects, with different DSM-5 diagnoses, was enrolled at nine Italian psychiatric outpatient services. Assessments at T0 and T1 included the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item (GAD-7) for anxiety symptoms, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depressive symptoms. Differences in anxiety and depressive symptoms rates emerged across different mental disorders and a general improvement at T1 was detected for all of them in both the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores, except for Psychosis and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Patients with Feeding and Eating Disorders (FED) reported statistically significantly higher: GAD-7 scores than those with Bipolar Disorder (BD), at both times, and Anxiety Disorders at baseline; PHQ-9 scores than all other diagnostic categories, at both times. Unemployment, no COVID-19 infection, OCD were predictive variables related to GAD-7 scores at T1, while being unmarried, BD or FED related to PHQ-9 scores at T1. Subjects with mental disorders reported anxiety and depressive symptoms during the third pandemic wave and most of patients showed an improvement over a 3-month follow-up, despite differences emerged among diagnostic categories and for the variables involved. Further studies are needed to deepen knowledge on pandemic impact on patients with mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Sarah Tosato
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Virginia Pedrinelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carlo A Bertelloni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Abbate-Daga
- Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Umberto Albert
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste and Department of Mental Health, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina - ASUGI, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Castellini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Mario Luciano
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Menchetti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sense Organs, University of Roma "La Sapienza", Roma, Italy
| | - Gaia Sampogna
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Signorelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Gabriele Massimetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Fiorillo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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Kopp PM, Möhler E, Gröpel P. Physical activity and mental health in school-aged children: a prospective two-wave study during the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2024; 18:4. [PMID: 38172986 PMCID: PMC10765890 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-023-00695-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because physical activity (PA) has many benefits for children's and adolescents' mental health, it has been suggested that PA may be an effective strategy to physically and mentally recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. This study tested the reciprocal relationship between PA and mental health during the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. It was hypothesized that mental health during the pandemic would determine how much children and adolescents re-engage in PA after easing the restrictions. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that PA engagement would predict mental health improvement after the pandemic. METHODS This was a prospective study with two measurement occasions. Pretest data collection was undertaken in February 2022, shortly before German authorities eased and lifted the COVID-19 restrictions. The follow-up (posttest) occurred six weeks later (April 2022). Both times, a sample of elementary and grammar school students aged 6 to 18 years (N = 170) reported their mental health problems and health-related quality of life. Mental health problems were assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and health-related quality of life was assessed with the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire. PA was measured continuously during the study period using smart electronic devices with a built-in pedometer. RESULTS PA gradually increased after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions (p < .001). This increase was unrelated to pretest mental health problems and health-related quality of life except for emotional symptoms (p = .041). Participants with higher emotional symptoms showed a sharper increase in PA towards the end of the study period. Furthermore, hyperactivity decreased (p = .004) and physical well-being (p = .004), perceived autonomy (p < .001), and perceived quality of school environment (p = .008) improved from before to after the easing of restrictions, yet participants' PA predicted none of these changes. CONCLUSIONS The adverse effects of COVID-19 containment on PA seem to alleviate after children and adolescents are allowed to return to schools. This is likely to be due to the school setting, which provides many different opportunities for formal and informal PA rather than students' mental health. School-related PA programs should be part of children's and adolescents' recovery from the pandemic .
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp M Kopp
- Saarland University Hospital (UKS), Homburg, Germany.
- Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Saarland University Hospital (UKS), Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany.
| | - Eva Möhler
- Saarland University Hospital (UKS), Homburg, Germany
- Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Saarland University Hospital (UKS), Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Peter Gröpel
- University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Sport Psychology, Centre for Sport Science and University Sports, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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SoleimanvandiAzar N, Amirkafi A, Shalbafan M, Ahmadi SAY, Asadzandi S, Shakeri S, Saeidi M, Panahi R, Nojomi M. Prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) symptoms among health care workers in COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:862. [PMID: 37990311 PMCID: PMC10664495 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05353-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms, are among the serious mental health challenges that Health Care Workers (HCWs) faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. As these symptoms reduce the mental well-being and effectiveness of HCWs which are followed by poor health outcomes for patients, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence of OCD symptoms among HCWs worldwide. METHODS PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, Emerald, and ERIC databases were searched using related keywords till the end of October 2021. Observational studies about the prevalence of OCD symptoms among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic were screened and evaluated. In order to assess the quality of studies, the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) checklist was used. The effect measure was the prevalence rate with a 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS A total of 7864 individuals from 11 studies were included. The range of OCD symptoms prevalence across these studies was from 0.07 to 0.47. Due to the high heterogeneity between the studies (I2 = 98.6%, P < 0.01), the random effects model was used. The pooled prevalence was 0.29 (95% CI: 0.22-0.38) based on logit transformed CI. CONCLUSIONS The pooled prevalence of OCD symptoms was 29% among the HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This prevalence was higher than the general population according to the pre-pandemic literature, but lower than the recent reports amid the pandemic. Psychosocial interventions are suggested to be designed and implemented in such conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda SoleimanvandiAzar
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Department of Community and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Amirkafi
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Department of Community and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Shalbafan
- Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyyed Amir Yasin Ahmadi
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Department of Community and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shadi Asadzandi
- Department of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shiva Shakeri
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Department of Community and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Saeidi
- Research Center for Addiction and Risky Behaviors, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Panahi
- Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Nojomi
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Department of Community and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Nipissing University, North Bay, ON, Canada.
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Zrnić Novaković I, Streicher A, Ajduković D, Ajduković M, Kiralj Lacković J, Lotzin A, Lueger-Schuster B. Trajectories of Adjustment Disorder and Well-Being in Austria and Croatia during 20 Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6861. [PMID: 37835131 PMCID: PMC10572495 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20196861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the trajectories of adjustment disorder (AD) symptoms and well-being over 20 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria and Croatia. Further objectives of this study were to examine whether sociodemographic characteristics and the symptoms of anxiety and depression could predict these trajectories. As part of the pan-European ESTSS ADJUST study, N = 1144 individuals were recruited using convenience sampling and assessed four times between June 2020 and January 2022 through an online survey. Latent growth curve modelling was applied to estimate the trajectories of AD symptoms and well-being. Over time, the prevalence of probable AD varied between 9.8% and 15.1%. The symptoms of AD tended to increase, whereas well-being tended to decrease. According to the majority of the models tested, women, participants from Austria and those with lower income had higher initial AD symptoms, whereas older participants and those from Croatia had higher initial well-being. In all models and at all timepoints, anxiety and depression significantly predicted AD and well-being scores. Overall, our study points to several predictors of AD and well-being and indicates high variability in people's reactions to the pandemic. Psychosocial support for the general population is needed during pandemics and similar crises, with a special focus on vulnerable groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Zrnić Novaković
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria; (A.S.); (B.L.-S.)
| | - Alina Streicher
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria; (A.S.); (B.L.-S.)
| | - Dean Ajduković
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.A.); (J.K.L.)
| | - Marina Ajduković
- Department of Social Work, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Jana Kiralj Lacković
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.A.); (J.K.L.)
| | - Annett Lotzin
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany;
- Department of Psychology, MSH Medical School Hamburg, 20457 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Brigitte Lueger-Schuster
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria; (A.S.); (B.L.-S.)
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Pugi D, Angelo NL, Ragucci F, Garcia-Hernandez MD, Rosa-Alcázar AI, Pozza A. Longitudinal Course of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review of Three Years of Prospective Cohort Studies. CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2023; 20:293-308. [PMID: 37791089 PMCID: PMC10544256 DOI: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20230409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Objective During the pandemic, there has been a slight increase in obsessive-compulsive symptoms in both clinical and non-clinical samples. Three years after the pandemic, we conducted the first systematic review of prospective cohort studies assessing temporal changes in obsessive-compulsive symptoms and their extent in both patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and community samples, regardless of age or socio-cultural background, during any phase of the pandemic. Method Prospective cohort studies were included if validated self-report questionnaires or standardized interviews for obsessive-compulsive symptoms were used. Studies that enrolled OCD patients were included if OCD was diagnosed before the outbreak of the pandemic. The following were our exclusion criteria: cross-sectional and case-control studies, single case studies, editorials, commentaries, and reviews. Studies assessing the effectiveness of an intervention were excluded. Results 15 studies were included. Overall, studies showed a small upsurge in obsessive-compulsive symptoms, especially washing/contamination symptoms, during the coronavirus outbreak. The severity of symptoms seemed to follow the pattern of restriction measures and the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. Conclusions Factors contributing to the worsening of obsessive-compulsive symptoms during the pandemic were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Pugi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, viale Mario Bracci 16 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Nicole Loren Angelo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, viale Mario Bracci 16 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Maria Dolores Garcia-Hernandez
- Department Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Faculty of Psychology, University of Murcia, Espinardo Campus, 30100-Murcia, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel Rosa-Alcázar
- Department Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Faculty of Psychology, University of Murcia, Espinardo Campus, 30100-Murcia, Spain
| | - Andrea Pozza
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, viale Mario Bracci 16 53100 Siena, Italy
- Department of Mental Health, Psychology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, viale Mario Bracci 16 53100 Siena, Italy
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Abramovich A, Pang N, Kim KV, Stark RK, Lange S, Chaiton M, Logie CH, Hamilton HA, Kidd SA. A longitudinal investigation of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288591. [PMID: 37459299 PMCID: PMC10351701 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The objective of this study was to examine the impacts of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on various dimensions of wellbeing among 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness over a 12-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS 2SLGBTQ+ youth (recruited using a convenience sampling method) participated in three online surveys to assess mental health (depression, anxiety, suicidality), substance and alcohol use, health care access, and violence for 12-months between 2021-2022. Quantitative data analysis included non-parametric one-sample proportion tests, paired t-test and McNemar's test. Longitudinal data collected across all three timepoints were treated as paired data and compared to baseline data using non-parametric exact multinomial tests, and if significant, followed by pairwise post-hoc exact binomial tests. For the purposes of analysis, participants were grouped according to their baseline survey based on pandemic waves and public health restrictions. RESULTS 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness (n = 87) reported high rates of mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, over 12-months during the pandemic. Youth participants reported experiencing poor mental health during the early waves of the pandemic, with improvements to their mental health throughout the pandemic; however, results were not statistically significant. Likewise, participants experienced reduced access to mental health care during the early waves of the pandemic but mental health care access increased for youth throughout the pandemic. CONCLUSION Study results showed high rates of mental health issues among 2SLGBTQ+ youth, but reduced access to mental health care, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings highlight the need for 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive and affirming mental health care and services to address social and mental health issues that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Abramovich
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nelson Pang
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kawon Victoria Kim
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rowen K. Stark
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shannon Lange
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Chaiton
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carmen H. Logie
- Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hayley A. Hamilton
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sean A. Kidd
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Homayuni A. Investigating the correlation between perceived stress and health anxiety with obsessive-compulsive disorder and quality of life during COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:54. [PMID: 36855204 PMCID: PMC9971677 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01090-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between perceived stress and health anxiety with obsessive-compulsive symptoms and quality of life during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS This cross-sectional study was performed in the general public in Isfahan and Bandar Abbas. 559 citizens were selected by convenience sampling. An online questionnaire was used to collect the data, which consisted of: short health anxiety inventory, perceived stress scale, world health organization quality of life questionnaire and Padua inventory. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-24 and Amos-21. RESULTS There were significant positive correlations between health anxiety and perceived stress (r = 0/338), obsessive-compulsive symptoms and perceived stress (r = 0/16), obsessive-compulsive symptoms and health anxiety (r = 0/344). Also there were significant negative correlations between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and quality of life (r = - 0/21), health anxiety and quality of life (r = - 0/366), perceived stress and quality of life (r = - 0/715). CONCLUSION health anxiety and perceived stress during COVID-19 affect the obsessive-compulsive symptoms and quality of life. Therefore, it is recommended to pay attention to these psychological disorders during this global crisis and take actions to prevent and treat them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Homayuni
- Student Research Committee, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
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10
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Hughes E. Meaninglessness and monotony in pandemic boredom. PHENOMENOLOGY AND THE COGNITIVE SCIENCES 2023; 22:1-15. [PMID: 36713814 PMCID: PMC9857899 DOI: 10.1007/s11097-023-09888-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Boredom is an affective experience that can involve pervasive feelings of meaninglessness, emptiness, restlessness, frustration, weariness and indifference, as well as the slowing down of time. An increasing focus of research in many disciplines, interest in boredom has been intensified by the recent Covid-19 pandemic, where social distancing measures have induced both a widespread loss of meaning and a significant disturbance of temporal experience. This article explores the philosophical significance of this aversive experience of 'pandemic boredom.' Using Heidegger's work as a unique vantage point, this article draws on survey data collected by researchers in an ongoing project titled 'Experiences of Social Distancing During the Covid-19 Pandemic' to give an original phenomenological interpretation of the meaninglessness and monotony of pandemic boredom. On a Heideggerian interpretation, pandemic boredom involves either a situative confrontation with relative meaninglessness that upholds our absorption in the everyday world, or an existential confrontation with absolute meaninglessness that forces us to take up the question of our existence. Arguing that boredom during the pandemic makes this distinction difficult to sustain, I consider some of the ways in which pandemic boredom might be seen to expose and then exceed the distinctive methodological limitations of Heidegger's philosophical interpretation of boredom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Hughes
- Department of Philosophy, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
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Conti D, Pellegrini L, Riaz M, Mpavaenda D, Sim A, Fineberg N. Obsessive‐compulsive disorder and men's health. Part 1: Recognition and diagnosis. TRENDS IN UROLOGY & MEN'S HEALTH 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/tre.895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dario Conti
- University of Milan Italy
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust UK
| | - Luca Pellegrini
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust UK
- University of Hertfordshire Hatfield UK
| | - Maham Riaz
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust UK
| | - David Mpavaenda
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust UK
- University of Hertfordshire Hatfield UK
| | - Alex Sim
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust UK
| | - Naomi Fineberg
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust UK
- University of Hertfordshire Hatfield UK
- School of Clinical Medicine University of Cambridge UK
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Leong A, Colah ZA, Guzick AG, Chen EY, Shah SS, Fall DA, Chen R, Zhang Y, Zhang C, Cepeda SL, Weinzimmer SA, Schneider SC, Zhou X, Goodman WK, Liu W, Storch EA. COVID-19-related intrusive thoughts and associated ritualistic behaviors. Bull Menninger Clin 2023; 87:225-249. [PMID: 37695882 DOI: 10.1521/bumc.2023.87.3.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated COVID-19-related intrusive thoughts and associated ritualistic behaviors (CITRB). From March to May 2020, 1,118 Chinese high school students, college students, psychiatric outpatients, and community members completed a survey assessing CITRB, generalized anxiety, depression, somatization, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and pandemic-related disruptions. Overall, participants reported mild to moderate CITRB, although certain thoughts/behaviors were more frequently endorsed, such as repeatedly telling others to take precautions against COVID-19 and checking COVID-19-related news. Being male, younger, a health-care worker, or in isolation/quarantine was associated with CITRB severity in community members. Obsessive-compulsive symptom severity, depression, somatic symptoms, and anxiety were associated with CITRB severity, although only obsessive-compulsive symptoms were uniquely associated with CITRB. This study provided evidence for the construct of CITRB, which may help mental health providers identify the nature and sources of COVID-19-related distress for some individuals as well as serve as a framework for evaluating obsessive-compulsive symptoms specific to large-scale crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Leong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Ziba A Colah
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Andrew G Guzick
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Eugenia Y Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Salonee S Shah
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Dylan A Fall
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Ruiqi Chen
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - YingYing Zhang
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chencheng Zhang
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Sandra L Cepeda
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Saira A Weinzimmer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Sophie C Schneider
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Xiaolu Zhou
- Research Institute for International and Comparative Education, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wayne K Goodman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Wenjuan Liu
- Wenjuan Liu is in the Department of Psychological Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Eric A Storch
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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13
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Saemi E, Nobari H, Badicu G, Ghazizadeh H, Pashabadi A, Imani F, Clemente FM, Silva AF, Afrash S. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on physical activity and mental health status of Iranian people. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2022; 14:186. [PMID: 36309739 PMCID: PMC9617045 DOI: 10.1186/s13102-022-00584-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease caused by acute respiratory syndrome that can negatively impact physical activity as well as mental health of people in the world. Since Iran is one of the countries deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on physical activity behaviours, as well as on mental health indicators among Iranian people.
Methods In this cross-sectional study, 335 participants were included (155 males, mean age = 30.06 ± 14.58 years). Participants were selected through the convenience sampling from different parts of Iran mainly through virtual social networks and filled out an electronic questionnaire in the form of Google Form online survey measuring physical activity behaviours (The International Physical Activity Questionnaire; IPAQ; Short Form) and two mental health indicators–self-esteem (Rosenberg self-esteem scale) and social physical anxiety (7-items social physique anxiety scale). The questionnaires were provided to the participants in the spring of 2021 for 15 days and they were asked to answer it in two periods before the outbreak of coronavirus (winter 2020) and the period during the outbreak of coronavirus (spring 2021). Results The results showed that participants reported significant differences from before to during the pandemic in all three variables of physical activity (significant decreases), self-esteem (significant decreases), and social physical anxiety (significant increases) regardless of participants’ gender. The results of correlation test between changes in physical activity and changes in mental health indicators showed that COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted self-esteem and social physical anxiety. However, we have not found any significant association of physical activity’s change with social physical anxiety or self-esteem’s changes before and during the pandemic. Conclusions The findings of the present study indicate a detrimental effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity and mental health among Iranian people. Public policies aiming to buffer the negative impact on COVID-19 Iranians’ health are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmaeel Saemi
- Department of Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, 6135783151, Iran.
| | - Hadi Nobari
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, 56199-11367, Iran. .,Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003, Cáceres, Spain. .,Department of Physical Education and Special Motricity, Faculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports, Transilvania University of Braşov, 500068, Braşov, Romania.
| | - Georgian Badicu
- Department of Physical Education and Special Motricity, Faculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports, Transilvania University of Braşov, 500068, Braşov, Romania
| | - Habibollah Ghazizadeh
- Department of Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, 6135783151, Iran
| | - Ali Pashabadi
- Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, 1571914911, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Imani
- Department of Sport Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, 1983969411, Iran
| | - Filipe Manuel Clemente
- Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun'Álvares, 4900-347, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
| | - Ana Filipa Silva
- Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun'Álvares, 4900-347, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
| | - Sana Afrash
- Department of Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, 6135783151, Iran
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Fineberg NA, Menchón JM, Hall N, Dell'Osso B, Brand M, Potenza MN, Chamberlain SR, Cirnigliaro G, Lochner C, Billieux J, Demetrovics Z, Rumpf HJ, Müller A, Castro-Calvo J, Hollander E, Burkauskas J, Grünblatt E, Walitza S, Corazza O, King DL, Stein DJ, Grant JE, Pallanti S, Bowden-Jones H, Ameringen MV, Ioannidis K, Carmi L, Goudriaan AE, Martinotti G, Sales CMD, Jones J, Gjoneska B, Király O, Benatti B, Vismara M, Pellegrini L, Conti D, Cataldo I, Riva GM, Yücel M, Flayelle M, Hall T, Griffiths M, Zohar J. Advances in problematic usage of the internet research - A narrative review by experts from the European network for problematic usage of the internet. Compr Psychiatry 2022; 118:152346. [PMID: 36029549 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2022.152346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Global concern about problematic usage of the internet (PUI), and its public health and societal costs, continues to grow, sharpened in focus under the privations of the COVID-19 pandemic. This narrative review reports the expert opinions of members of the largest international network of researchers on PUI in the framework of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action (CA 16207), on the scientific progress made and the critical knowledge gaps remaining to be filled as the term of the Action reaches its conclusion. A key advance has been achieving consensus on the clinical definition of various forms of PUI. Based on the overarching public health principles of protecting individuals and the public from harm and promoting the highest attainable standard of health, the World Health Organisation has introduced several new structured diagnoses into the ICD-11, including gambling disorder, gaming disorder, compulsive sexual behaviour disorder, and other unspecified or specified disorders due to addictive behaviours, alongside naming online activity as a diagnostic specifier. These definitions provide for the first time a sound platform for developing systematic networked research into various forms of PUI at global scale. Progress has also been made in areas such as refining and simplifying some of the available assessment instruments, clarifying the underpinning brain-based and social determinants, and building more empirically based etiological models, as a basis for therapeutic intervention, alongside public engagement initiatives. However, important gaps in our knowledge remain to be tackled. Principal among these include a better understanding of the course and evolution of the PUI-related problems, across different age groups, genders and other specific vulnerable groups, reliable methods for early identification of individuals at risk (before PUI becomes disordered), efficacious preventative and therapeutic interventions and ethical health and social policy changes that adequately safeguard human digital rights. The paper concludes with recommendations for achievable research goals, based on longitudinal analysis of a large multinational cohort co-designed with public stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi A Fineberg
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Hertfordshire, UK; School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK; School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - José M Menchón
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, University of Barcelona, Cibersam, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natalie Hall
- Centre for Health Services and Clinical Research, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Bernardo Dell'Osso
- Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Psychiatry 2 Unit, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; "Aldo Ravelli" Center for Nanotechnology and Neurostimulation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Centro per lo studio dei meccanismi molecolari alla base delle patologie neuro-psico-geriatriche", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matthias Brand
- General Psychology: Cognition and Center for Behavioral Addiction Research (CeBAR), University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany; Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Essen, Germany
| | - Marc N Potenza
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Child Study, Yale University School of Medicine, and Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, USA, New Haven, USA; Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, USA; Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, USA
| | - Samuel R Chamberlain
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK; Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Giovanna Cirnigliaro
- Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Psychiatry 2 Unit, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Christine Lochner
- SAMRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
| | - Joël Billieux
- Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zsolt Demetrovics
- Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming, University of Gibraltar, Gibraltar, Gibraltar; Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Hans Jürgen Rumpf
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Translational Psychiatry Unit, Research Group S:TEP (Substance use and related disorders: Treatment, Epidemiology and Prevention) University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Astrid Müller
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Jesús Castro-Calvo
- Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatments, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - Eric Hollander
- Autism and Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Program, Psychiatric Research Institute at Montefiore-Einstein, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
| | - Julius Burkauskas
- Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Vyduno al. 4, 00135 Palanga, Lithuania
| | - Edna Grünblatt
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Walitza
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ornella Corazza
- Department of Clinical Pharmacological and Biological Science, University of Hertfordshire
| | - Daniel L King
- College of Education, Psychology, & Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Dan J Stein
- SAMRC Unit on Risk & Resilience in Mental Disorders, Dept of Psychiatry & Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town
| | - Jon E Grant
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago
| | - Stefano Pallanti
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, New York, USA; INS Istituto di Neuroscienze, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Michael Van Ameringen
- Deptartment of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Konstantinos Ioannidis
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK; Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Lior Carmi
- Post-Trauma Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Israel; Reichman University, The Data Science Institution, Herzliya, Israel
| | - Anna E Goudriaan
- Amsterdam UMC, Department of Psychiatry, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Addiction Research & Arkin, the Netherlands
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Célia M D Sales
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Center for Psychology at University of Porto (CPUP), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Julia Jones
- School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | | | - Orsolya Király
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Beatrice Benatti
- Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Psychiatry 2 Unit, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; "Aldo Ravelli" Center for Nanotechnology and Neurostimulation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Vismara
- Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Psychiatry 2 Unit, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; "Aldo Ravelli" Center for Nanotechnology and Neurostimulation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Pellegrini
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Hertfordshire, UK; School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Dario Conti
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Hertfordshire, UK; Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Psychiatry 2 Unit, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cataldo
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Gianluigi M Riva
- School of Information and Communication Studies, University College Dublin
| | - Murat Yücel
- Brain Park, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, and Monash Biomedical Imaging Facility, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maèva Flayelle
- Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Joseph Zohar
- Post-Trauma Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Israel
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Schippers MC, Ioannidis JPA, Joffe AR. Aggressive measures, rising inequalities, and mass formation during the COVID-19 crisis: An overview and proposed way forward. Front Public Health 2022; 10:950965. [PMID: 36159300 PMCID: PMC9491114 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.950965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
A series of aggressive restrictive measures were adopted around the world in 2020-2022 to attempt to prevent SARS-CoV-2 from spreading. However, it has become increasingly clear the most aggressive (lockdown) response strategies may involve negative side-effects such as a steep increase in poverty, hunger, and inequalities. Several economic, educational, and health repercussions have fallen disproportionately on children, students, young workers, and especially on groups with pre-existing inequalities such as low-income families, ethnic minorities, and women. This has led to a vicious cycle of rising inequalities and health issues. For example, educational and financial security decreased along with rising unemployment and loss of life purpose. Domestic violence surged due to dysfunctional families being forced to spend more time with each other. In the current narrative and scoping review, we describe macro-dynamics that are taking place because of aggressive public health policies and psychological tactics to influence public behavior, such as mass formation and crowd behavior. Coupled with the effect of inequalities, we describe how these factors can interact toward aggravating ripple effects. In light of evidence regarding the health, economic and social costs, that likely far outweigh potential benefits, the authors suggest that, first, where applicable, aggressive lockdown policies should be reversed and their re-adoption in the future should be avoided. If measures are needed, these should be non-disruptive. Second, it is important to assess dispassionately the damage done by aggressive measures and offer ways to alleviate the burden and long-term effects. Third, the structures in place that have led to counterproductive policies should be assessed and ways should be sought to optimize decision-making, such as counteracting groupthink and increasing the level of reflexivity. Finally, a package of scalable positive psychology interventions is suggested to counteract the damage done and improve humanity's prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaéla C. Schippers
- Department of Technology and Operations Management, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Michaéla C. Schippers
| | - John P. A. Ioannidis
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States,Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States,Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States,Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States,Meta-Research Innovation Center at Stanford (METRICS), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Ari R. Joffe
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stollery Children's Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada,John Dossetor Health Ethics Center, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Fineberg NA, Pellegrini L, Burkauskas J, Clarke A, Laws KR. Individual obsessive-compulsive traits are associated with poorer adjustment to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 148:21-26. [PMID: 35091357 PMCID: PMC8764617 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As COVID-19 restrictions ease, the public are expected to relinquish previously enforced safety behaviors and resume a more normal lifestyle. Despite these aims, our recent survey of 438 adults from the general population, during a temporary release of lockdown in the United Kingdom (July-November 2020), showed that 25% of the public find re-adjustment problematic. This was especially the case in those with a history of mental disorder and obsessive-compulsive (OC) traits and symptoms, including rigidity as measured by a neurocognitive test of attentional flexibility. To aid in identifying those most at risk, we performed a secondary analysis on the data to determine which specific OC traits were related to specific aspects of behavioral adjustment. METHODS Correlational and multiple regression analyses were performed to determine associations between the eight individual personality traits constituting DSM-5 Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), as measured by the self-rated Compulsive Personality Assessment Scale (CPAS) and a range of self-rated Post-Pandemic Adjustment Questionnaire items. RESULTS Three items on the Post-Pandemic Adjustment Questionnaire correlated with individual CPAS items: 'General difficulties adjusting' correlated with perfectionism, preoccupation with details, over-conscientiousness and need for control; 'social avoidance' correlated with perfectionism and preoccupation with details; and 'disinfecting behaviors' correlated with preoccupation with details and miserliness (Pearson's r - all p < .001). Intriguingly, none of the adjustment items correlated significantly with self-rated rigidity. CONCLUSIONS Several OCPD traits predict post-pandemic adjustment difficulties, but perfectionism and preoccupation-with-details showed the most robust correlations. These traits constitute a platform for the development of new screening and interventional strategies aimed at restoring public mental health and wellbeing. Cognitive rigidity may be more reliably evaluated using an objective form of assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi A Fineberg
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom; Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom; University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Pellegrini
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom; Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy.
| | - Julius Burkauskas
- Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Palanga, Lithuania
| | - Aaron Clarke
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Keith R Laws
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
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