Hope and anxiety

Anxiety-related disorders continue to be one of the most prevalent and burdensome psychiatric disorders. Research has examined resilience factors, such as hope, that can build resilience toward or mitigate the impact of anxiety disorders. The following review provides a summary of hope as a factor of resilience as well as a mechanism of change in reducing levels of anxiety. First, hope and anxiety are conceptualized as future-oriented traits. Then, hope as a source of resilience against trait anxiety is discussed. The article then discusses the moderate, indirect relationship between hope and general as well as specific forms of anxiety before providing empirical support for hope as a mechanism of change in the reduction of anxiety. Finally, considerations for future study of hope and anxiety are discussed.

From fearful to hopeful: A thematic content analysis of COVID-19 survivors' YouTube videos

COVID-19 survivors experienced a spectrum of emotions as a result of surviving the said disease. Employing thematic content analysis, the researchers characterized the various emotional manifestations among recovered COVID-19 patients, which are crucial indicators of their mental well-being postinfection. From March 2020 to June 2021, data was collated from 31 Filipino COVID-19 Survivors' YouTube videos. 51.61% of the videos were posted in 2020 and 48.39% were posted in 2021 where 70.97% of the survivors were female while 29.03% were male. 579 primary codes emerged and were narrowed down into sixteen themes where Hope (18.83%) arose as the most predominant emotion followed by Gratitude (14.68%), Joy and Relief (14.16%), Faith (11.57%), Plight Response (10.88%), Sadness (10.88%), Fear (6.39%), and nine others (12.61%).

Hope's relationship with resilience and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected individuals financially, physically, and mentally during the past couple of years. Recent research has indicated that mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety, and depression have been on the rise due to the pandemic and its consequences. Fortunately, resilience factors such as hope have also been examined in the midst of the pandemic. Hope has been found to be a buffer against stress, anxiety, and depression over time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hope has also been associated with positive outcomes such as posttraumatic growth and well-being. These results have been investigated in populations particularly affected by the pandemic such as healthcare professionals and patients with chronic illness and cross-culturally.

Prevalence and risk factors of COVID-19-related generalized anxiety disorder among the general public in China: a cross-sectional study

Objective

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder in China during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and identify its associated factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population in China from March 16 to April 2, 2020. The participants were recruited using stratified random sampling. Data on demographic characteristics and COVID-19 related factors were obtained using self-administered questionnaires. The anxiety score was measured based on the Chinese version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7).

Results

The study comprised 10,824 participants, of which 37.69% had symptoms of anxiety. The risk factors for anxiety symptoms included poor self-reported health (OR = 1.672, p < 0.001), chronic diseases (OR = 1.389, p < 0.001), and quarantine (OR = 1.365, p < 0.001), while participants' perceptions that COVID-19 would be controlled was a protective factor (OR = 0.774, p < 0.001). The interactions between quarantine and self-reported health (p < 0.001), as well as between perceptions of COVID-19 and self-reported health (p < 0.001) were found to have a significant effect on GAD-7 scores.

Conclusions

Self-reported health status, chronic diseases, quarantine, and perceptions of COVID-19 were significantly associated with GAD-7 scores, indicating that mental health interventions are urgently needed during pandemics, especially for high-risk groups.

Psychological Distress Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Protective Role of Hope

The COVID-19 outbreak and the worldwide lockdown measures had an impact on the global mental health and psychological well-being of the general population. Several studies attempted to investigate the protective and risk factors for psychological distress related to the pandemic. However, to date, little is known about the role of hope in this context. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between hope and psychological distress related to the COVID-19 outbreak in the general population. The sample consisted of 504 Pakistani people who completed cross-sectionally the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) and the Adult Hope Scale (AHS). Bivariate Pearson correlation analysis was run to measure the relationship between hope and psychological distress; hierarchical regression analysis was run to investigate the association between demographics and hope with psychological distress. Higher levels of hope predicted lower levels of psychological distress. Being female, being older, lower level of education, urban residence, being married and living in nuclear family systems were associated with higher levels of psychological distress. The study highlights the protective role of hope on psychological distress related to COVID-19, contributing to knowledge on factors promoting positive mental health during emergency times and providing useful information for implementing effective public health policies and programmes.

Anxiety and depression among pregnant women undergoing IVF-ET and WeChat group peer support during the COVID-19 pandemic: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

The psychological well-being of pregnant women following assisted reproductive has increasingly gained attention in recent years. Anxiety and depression may be associated to pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to determine whether peer support and the WeChat group platform will reduce anxiety and depression among in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) women.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

In the present randomized controlled study, 296 patients with confirmed clinical pregnancy following IVF-ET will be randomly assigned to receive standard intervention support or WeChat peer support on a 1:1 basis. The levels of anxiety and depression are the primary endpoints. Assessments will be performed at baseline measurements, first trimester, second trimester, and third trimester, and data will be collected.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study has been approved as ethical by the affiliated hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine's Reproductive Ethics Committee. Each patient will sign a written statement of informed permission. All information and biological samples will be legally protected. A peer-reviewed academic journal will publish the findings of this investigation.

DISCUSSION

Given the inconvenience of visits due to the current pandemic of COVID-19, this study addresses the patient's visit needs by combining WeChat, the most widely used social software in China, with peer support, while helping improve maternal anxiety, depression, and pregnancy outcomes following IVF-ET.

Associations among resilience, hope, social support, stress, and anxiety severity in Chinese women with abnormal cervical cancer screening results

This study was to explore the resilience level and its potential correlates and further to evaluate the influence of these resilience-centred variables on anxiety severity among Chinese women with abnormal cervical cancer screening results. One hundred and seventy-five subjects completed self-administered questionnaires to collect relevant variables. The level of resilience of our sample is moderate (70.57 ± 12.14). The data identified hope (β = 0.218), social support (β = 0.247) and perceived stress (β = -0.320) as independent associates for resilience. Finally, among variables, only perceived stress is found to have a direct and positive influence on anxiety severity. Interventions on these variables can be effective for resilience promotion in this population. In addition, anxiety should be preferentially intervened in through the alleviation of perceived stress.

Prevalence of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis of over 2 million people

INTRODUCTION

Uncertainty, disruptions in daily routines, and concerns for the health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic are likely associated with increases in generalized anxiety. The present study aimed to systematically review the literature in order to identify the update prevalence of anxiety in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis. It included studies that assessed the prevalence of anxiety among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

In total, we included 194 studies. The general prevalence of anxiety was 35.1 %, affecting approximately 851,000 participants. The prevalence in low and middle-income countries (35.1 %; 95%CI: 29.5 % to 41.0 %) was similar compared to high-income countries (34.7 %; 95%CI: 29.6 % to 40.1 %). In studies that provided the proportion of cases in each level of anxiety disorder, mild-to-moderate anxiety affected one quarter of the participants. One in ten cases with anxiety during the COVID-19 may be living with severe or extremely anxiety disorder. Most instruments estimated similar prevalence of anxiety disorders with notable difference in the prevalence estimated by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item (GAD-2), Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

CONCLUSION

One in three adults were living with anxiety disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide.

Prevalence and associated factors for elevated fear and depressive symptoms among the private service holders in Bangladesh during the Covid‐19 pandemic: A cross‐sectional study

Background and Aims

The ongoing public health emergency has created incredible fear of getting the infection and a terrible psychological burden among all levels. The pandemic has severely affected private job holders' economic status and lifestyle factors in Bangladesh. Here we aimed to assess fear and depressive symptoms among private job holders in Bangladesh during the Covid‐19 pandemic and associated risk factors.

Methods

We conducted this online cross‐sectional survey between January 15, 2021, and March 15, 2021, among 510 private job holders aged above 18 years. We followed the convenience sampling method for data collection. We assessed sociodemographic factors and two psychometric parameters. We applied the Fear of Covid‐19 Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 to assess increased fear and depressive symptoms, respectively. Chi‐square test, independent sample t‐test, and binary logistic regression analysis were performed for data analysis.

Results

The prevalence of increased fear and depressive symptoms were 86.27% and 42.16%, respectively. Factors associated with increased fear among private job holders during COVID‐19 were economic class, obesity, on‐time salary, company's downsizing policy, salary reduction, home office, and transportation facilities. However, depressive symptoms were associated with marital status, education level, residence area, the organizational practice of health safety rules, company performance, on‐time salary, health insurance, downsizing, salary reduction policy, organization type, transportation, and mental health support at work. The present study also noticed some interrelations among the above factors with mental health issues.

Conclusion

Based on the present findings, we recommend actionable items to improve the mental health of private job holders in Bangladesh due to the ongoing pandemic. Authorities can develop mental health support programs and efficient Covid‐19 response systems. The policymakers and regulatory bodies might take some initiatives to promote mental health in the private sector in Bangladesh.

Influencing Factors of International Students’ Anxiety Under Online Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study of 1,090 Chinese International Students

Objective

We conducted the following cross-sectional study to comprehensively assess the anxiety among Chinese international students who studied online during the COVID-19 pandemic and its influencing factors.

Methods

Questionnaires were distributed through “Sojump,” and a total of 1,090 valid questionnaires were collected. The questionnaire was divided into two parts: general situation and anxiety assessment of students. The former used a self-made questionnaire, and the international general GAD-7 scale was used to measure anxiety. Chi-square test was used to analyze the differences between groups, and logistic regression analysis was performed for the factors with differences.

Results

Anxiety was found in 707 (64.9%) of 1,090 international students. Chi-square test and multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the incidence of anxiety was higher in the group under 22 years of age than in the group over 22 years of age (68% vs. 61%, p = 0.015; OR = 1.186, 95% CI 1.045–1.347, p = 0.008); International students living in big cities had a higher incidence of anxiety than those living in rural areas (67% vs. 60%, p = 0.022; OR = 1.419, 95%CI 1.038–1.859, p = 0.011); international students who socialized 3 times or less monthly had a higher incidence of anxiety than those who socialized more than 3 times per month (68% vs. 58%, p = 0.003; OR = 1.52, 95%CI 1.160–1.992, p = 0.002); international students who expected purely online teaching had a higher incidence of anxiety than those who expected purely offline teaching or dual-track teaching (72% vs. 64%, p = 0.037; OR = 1.525, 95%CI 1.069–2.177, p = 0.02); international students with a subjective score of online learning experience of 6 or less had a higher incidence of anxiety than those with subjective scores of more than 6 (70% vs. 60%, p = 0.001, OR = 1.25, 95%CI 1.099–1.422, p = 0.001). However, gender, emotional status, BMI, major of study, vaccination status, and degree type had no significant difference in the incidence of anxiety among international students who studied online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

During COVID-19, international students who were younger, came from big cities, had low social frequency, expected purely online teaching, and had poor experience of online classes were risk factors for anxiety during online classes.

One-year changes in the prevalence and positive psychological correlates of depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among medical science students in northeast of Iran

Objectives

The COVID‐19 pandemic has imposed a significant psychological burden on many across society especially students studying medical sciences. This study intended to investigate the one‐year changes in the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms during the COVID‐19 pandemic among medical science students.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study in Shahroud, Iran administering a convenience sampling method (January to February 2021). Online self‐reported questionnaires included Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale, Paloutzian‐Ellison Spiritual Well‐Being Questionnaire, Diener's Satisfaction with Life Scale and the University Student Depression Inventory. Data analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Independent t‐test and Multiple Regression Analysis).

Results

A total of 306 medical science students were investigated in this study. The mean scores 1 year after the outbreak of COVID‐19 were for depression (81.25 ± 26.04), spiritual well‐being (80.98 ± 18.06), self‐esteem (26.89 ± 2.20), and life satisfaction (19.68 ± 6.81). The results indicated that depression mean score was significantly higher in post outbreak assessment (71.92 ± 22.94 vs 81.25 ± 26.04) (P < .001). Fifty percentage of changes in depression can be predicted by studied variables. A high score of depression was directly associated with a higher level of self‐esteem. Moreover, increased interest in the field, scores of spiritual well‐being, and life satisfaction were inversely and significantly associated with depression.

Conclusions

Iran's education system has been significantly affected, with the addition to the COVID‐19 pandemic imposing a psychological burden such as depression, exacerbating this within medical science students compared to a year ago. Spiritual well‐being and life satisfaction as positive psychology constructs were recognized as protective factors against depression during the pandemic. Spiritual and social support should be integrated in psychological interventions within university settings for medical science students.

Traumatic Distress of COVID-19 and Depression in the General Population: Exploring the Role of Resilience, Anxiety, and Hope

International evidence published so far shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted on global mental health. Specifically, there is some research suggesting that the psychological distress related to depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress has impacted on the psychological well-being of the general population. Yet, there is limited evidence on the relational paths between COVID-19 traumatic distress and depression. Participants of this cross-sectional study were 456 adults 18 years old or older from the general population (Mean age = 41.2 years, SD = 11.7) who completed an online questionnaire including measures assessing depression, anxiety, resilience, hope and traumatic distress related to COVID-19. Structural equation modelling was applied to examine the proposed mediation model. The results confirmed the proposed model, with traumatic distress of COVID-19, resilience, anxiety and hope explaining a considerable amount of variance (59%) in depression scores. Traumatic distress of COVID-19 was a strong positive predictor of depression, while anxiety, hope and resilience were both joint and unique mediators of this relationship. Exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic is strongly associated with depression in adults of the general population. The co-occurrence of anxiety may negatively contribute to experiencing higher levels of depression, while resilience and hope may act as buffers against depression associated with the impact of this pandemic. Our findings suggest that wide community-based interventions designed to promote resilience, build hope and reduce anxiety may help mitigate depression associated with exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Factors Influencing Anxiety Among WeChat Users During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mainland China: Cross-sectional Survey Study

BACKGROUND

The rapid outbreak of COVID-19 around the world has adversely affected the mental health of the public. The prevalence of anxiety among the public has increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are few studies evaluating the effects of positive psychological responses and information-seeking behaviors on anxiety experienced among social media users during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the prevalence of anxiety and its associated factors among WeChat users in mainland China during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

From February 10 to February 24, 2020, a nationwide, web-based cross-sectional survey study was carried out using convenience sampling. Participants' levels of anxiety, positive psychological responses, and information-seeking behaviors were assessed. The survey was distributed among WeChat users via the WeChat smartphone platform. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the factors associated with anxiety.

RESULTS

This study found that the prevalence of anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item [GAD-7] scale score ≥7) among WeChat users in China was 17.96% (446/2483) during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that information-seeking behaviors such as cannot stop searching for information on COVID-19, being concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic, and spending more than 1 hour per day consuming information about the pandemic were found to be associated with increased levels of anxiety. Additionally, participants who chose social media and commercial media as the primary sources to obtain information about the COVID-19 pandemic were found more likely to report anxiety. Conversely, participants who were confident or rational about the COVID-19 pandemic were less likely to report anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that positive psychological responses and information-seeking behaviors were closely associated with anxiety among WeChat users during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. It might be paramount to enhance mental well-being by helping people respond to the COVID-19 pandemic more rationally and positively in order to decrease symptoms of anxiety.

Esperança e Bem-Estar Psicológico durante a Crise Sanitária pela COVID-19: Estudo com Estudantes de Enfermagem

Resumo Objetivo analisar as relações entre a esperança e o bem-estar psicológico de estudantes de enfermagem portugueses durante a crise pandêmica pela COVID-19. Método estudo descritivo-correlacional, com recurso a questionário online para coleta de dados. Participaram 705 estudantes de enfermagem com idade média de 21,74 anos (DP=4,44). Os instrumentos de coleta de dados utilizados foram a Escala de Esperança de Herth (HHI-PT) e a Escala de Medida de Manifestação de Bem-Estar Psicológico (EMMBEP). Foi utilizada a estatística descritiva e inferencial. Resultados na HHI-PT, o domínio afectivo-comportamental obteve a pontuação média mais alta, 3,30 (DP=0,45); no EMMBEP, foi o domínio sociabilidade, 3,64 (DP=0,77). Havia correlações moderadas a fortes (0,383 <r <0,917) entre o global e todos os domínios da esperança e bem-estar psicológico (≤0.001). Conclusão e implicações para a prática a esperança e o bem-estar psicológico dos estudantes de enfermagem durante a pandemia são variáveis correlacionados positivamente entre si. As medidas de promoção da saúde mental, a implementar pelas instituições de ensino, devem ter em consideração a associação entre essas duas variáveis.

Development of the Coronavirus Anxiety Model in the Elderly: Based on Hope and Health-Related Quality of Life With the Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support

This study examined the mediation role of perceived social support in the association between hope and health-related quality of life with coronavirus anxiety in the elderly. The research was conducted by descriptive method with a structural equations design. The population included all the over-60 elderly individuals residing in Sanandaj city, Iran, in 2021. Among them, 220 individuals were selected through available sampling method. To gather the data, the questionnaires of coronavirus anxiety, perceived social support, hope and health-related quality of life were used. Data analysis was conducted by using structural equations modeling and via SPSSv23 and AMOSv26 software. Data analysis indicated that there is a significant and negative relationship between hope, health-related quality of life, and perceived coronavirus anxiety among the elderly. Moreover, perceived social support plays a mediating role in the relationship of both hope and health-related quality of life with coronavirus anxiety. The present study provided an important insight regarding the mediating role of perceived social support in the relationship of hope and health-related quality of life with coronavirus anxiety the elderly. Through creating programs to hold suitable interventions for improving perceived social support, the COVID-19-related anxiety can be reduced during its prevalence.