International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Research

13 pages, 713 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Unusual College Experience: 16-Month Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms and Anxiety among Chinese New Undergraduate Students of 2019 during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Lili Liu, Jianbin Chen, Shunwei Liang, Xiaodan Peng, Wenwen Yang, Andi Huang, Xiayong Wang, Fang Fan and Jingbo Zhao

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 5024; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065024 - 12 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2059

Abstract

Background: This study examines the trajectories of the mental health conditions of 13,494 new undergraduate students who enrolled in 2019 in China from the beginning of the pandemic to the local recurrence of the pandemic, and found factors which may be associated with [...] Read more.

Background: This study examines the trajectories of the mental health conditions of 13,494 new undergraduate students who enrolled in 2019 in China from the beginning of the pandemic to the local recurrence of the pandemic, and found factors which may be associated with diverse trajectories. Methods: The trajectories of depression–anxiety outcomes were modeled using the growth mixture model. The multinomial logistic regression model was used to identify variables associated with different trajectory groups. Results: Both depression and anxiety in the new college students slightly increased during the 16-month period. The slopes of depression and anxiety were lower after the local outbreak. From the trajectories of depression and anxiety, five heterogeneous groups were identified: low–stable (64.3%), moderate–increased (18.2%), high–stable (11.1%), recovery (4.5%), and rapid–increased (1.8%). Environmental, somatic, and social factors were used to differentiate the low–stable group from the other groups. We found that college students with female gender, more conflict with parents, and feelings of loneliness during the pandemic were more likely to enter a high stability trajectory compared to a recovery trajectory. Conclusion: Most participants showed a stable mental health status, while others experienced deteriorating or chronic mental health problems, especially those who had sleep disturbances, less social support before the pandemic, or conflicts with parents during the pandemic. These students may need additional support and monitoring from college mental health providers to improve their wellbeing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

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13 pages, 382 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anxiety among Central American Migrants in Mexico: A Cumulative Vulnerability

by Shoshana Berenzon Gorn, Nayelhi Saavedra, Ietza Bojorquez, Geoffrey Reed, Milton L. Wainberg and María Elena Medina-Mora

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 4899; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064899 - 10 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1519

Abstract

Migration exposes Central American migrants, particularly those who migrate without documents, to a range of incidents, dangers, and risks that increase their vulnerability to anxiety symptoms. In most cases, the poverty, conflict, and violence they experience in their countries of origin are compounded [...] Read more.

Migration exposes Central American migrants, particularly those who migrate without documents, to a range of incidents, dangers, and risks that increase their vulnerability to anxiety symptoms. In most cases, the poverty, conflict, and violence they experience in their countries of origin are compounded by the unpredictable conditions of their journey through Mexico. The objective of this study was to explore the association between the presence of emotional discomfort and the experience of various vulnerabilities from the perspective of a group of Central American migrants in transit through Mexico. This is a descriptive, mixed-methods study (QUALI-QUAN). During the qualitative phase, thirty-five migrants were interviewed (twenty in Mexico City and six in Tijuana). During the quantitative phase, a questionnaire was administered to 217 migrants in shelters in Tijuana. An analysis of the subjects’ accounts yielded various factors associated with stress and anxiety, which were divided into five main groups: (1) precarious conditions during the journey through Mexico, (2) rejection and abuse due to their identity, (3) abuse by Mexican authorities, (4) violence by criminal organizations, and (5) waiting time before being able to continue their journey. The interaction of various vulnerabilities predisposes individuals to present emotional discomfort, such as anxiety. Migrants who reported experiencing three or more vulnerabilities presented the highest percentages of anxiety symptoms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

10 pages, 357 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Psycho-Emotional Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms during Lockdown Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Mexican Population

by Nora A. Martínez-Vélez, Miriam Arroyo-Belmonte, Marcela Tiburcio, Guillermina Natera-Rey, Morise Fernández-Torres and Graciela Y. Sánchez-Hernández

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4331; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054331 - 28 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1737

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health, leading to the increase of depressive symptoms. Identifying these symptoms and the factors associated with them in women and men will allow us to understand possible mechanisms of action and develop more [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health, leading to the increase of depressive symptoms. Identifying these symptoms and the factors associated with them in women and men will allow us to understand possible mechanisms of action and develop more specific interventions. An online survey was conducted from 1 May to 30 June 2020 using snowball sampling; the final sample comprised 4122 adult inhabitants of Mexico; 35% of the total sample displayed moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms, with a greater proportion of depression being among female respondents. A logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals under 30 years of age, those with high levels of stress due to social distancing, those with negative emotions, and those who reported a significant impact of the pandemic on their lives have a higher risk of depression. Women with a history of mental health treatment and men with a history of chronic disease were also more likely to experience depressive symptoms. Social environment and sex are factors that intervene in the development of depressive symptoms, meaning that appropriate early identification and intervention models should be designed for the care of men and women in highly disruptive situations such as the recent pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

18 pages, 1282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Latent Trajectories and Risk Factors of Prenatal Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Southwestern China—A Longitudinal Study

by Yuwen Gao, Xian Tang, Ruibin Deng, Jiaxiu Liu and Xiaoni Zhong

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 3818; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053818 - 21 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1872

Abstract

(1) Background: Few studies have explored the heterogeneity of trajectories of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms during pregnancy. This study aimed to explore the trajectory groups of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in women during pregnancy and the risk factors associated with those [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Few studies have explored the heterogeneity of trajectories of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms during pregnancy. This study aimed to explore the trajectory groups of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in women during pregnancy and the risk factors associated with those groups. (2) Methods: Data came from pregnant women recruited from January to September 2018 in four hospitals in Chongqing Province, China. A structured questionnaire was given to pregnant women, which collected basic information, including personal, family, and social information. The growth mixture model was applied to identify potential trajectory groups, and multinomial logistic regression was applied to analyze factors of trajectory groups. (3) Results: We identified three stress trajectory groups, three anxiety trajectory groups, and four depression trajectory groups. Less developed regions, inadequate family care, and inadequate social support were associated with a high risk of stress; residence, use of potentially teratogenic drugs, owning pets, family care, and social support were strongly associated with the anxiety trajectory group; family care and social support were the most critical factors for the depression trajectory group. (4) Conclusions: The trajectories of prenatal stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms are dynamic and heterogeneous. This study may provide some critical insights into the characteristics of women in the high-risk trajectory groups for early intervention to mitigate worsening symptoms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

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12 pages, 817 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Resilience of South African School Teachers in the Time of COVID-19: Coping with Risk of Infection, Loneliness, and Anxiety

by Anita Padmanabhanunni and Tyrone Pretorius

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3462; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043462 - 16 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2093

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated an overall increase in the global prevalence of mental health disorders and psychological distress. However, against this backdrop, there was also evidence of adaptation and coping, which suggested the influence of protective factors. The current study aims to extend [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated an overall increase in the global prevalence of mental health disorders and psychological distress. However, against this backdrop, there was also evidence of adaptation and coping, which suggested the influence of protective factors. The current study aims to extend previous research on the role of protective factors by investigating the health-sustaining and mediating roles of resilience in the relationship between perceived vulnerability to disease, loneliness, and anxiety. Participants consisted of a convenience sample of schoolteachers (N = 355) who completed the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire, the short form of the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, and the trait scale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale, through an online link created with Google Forms. The results of path analysis indicated significant negative associations between resilience and both loneliness and anxiety. These results indicate the health-sustaining role of resilience. In addition, resilience mediated the relationships between germ aversion and perceived infectability, on the one hand, and loneliness and anxiety, on the other hand. The findings confirm that resilience can play a substantial role in counteracting the negative impact of the pandemic on mental health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

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8 pages, 331 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Internet Gaming Disorder Does Not Predict Mood, Anxiety or Substance Use Disorders in University Students: A One-Year Follow-Up Study

by Guilherme Borges, Corina Benjet, Ricardo Orozco, Yesica Albor, Eunice V. Contreras, Iris R. Monroy-Velasco, Praxedis C. Hernández-Uribe, Patricia M. Báez-Mansur, María A. Covarrubias Diaz Couder, Guillermo E. Quevedo-Chávez, Raúl A. Gutierrez-García and Nydia Machado

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2063; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032063 - 23 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2513

Abstract

We seek to evaluate whether Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) among university students in Mexico during their first year at university predicts a long list of mental disorders a year later, controlling for baseline mental health disorders as well as demographics. This is a [...] Read more.

We seek to evaluate whether Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) among university students in Mexico during their first year at university predicts a long list of mental disorders a year later, controlling for baseline mental health disorders as well as demographics. This is a prospective cohort study with a one-year follow-up period conducted during the 2018–2019 academic year and followed up during the 2019–2020 academic year at six Mexican universities. Participants were first-year university students (n = 1741) who reported symptoms compatible with an IGD diagnosis at entry (baseline). Outcomes are seven mental disorders (mania, hypomania, and major depressive episodes; generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder; alcohol use disorder and drug use disorder), and three groups of mental disorders (mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders) at the end of the one-year follow-up. Fully adjusted models, that included baseline controls for groups of mental disorders, rendered all associations null. The association between baseline IGD and all disorders and groups of disorders at follow-up was close to one, suggesting a lack of longitudinal impact of IGD on mental disorders. Conflicting results from available longitudinal studies on the role of IGD in the development of mental disorders warrant further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

14 pages, 365 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychological Status of Men Who Have Sex with Men during COVID-19: An Online Cross-Sectional Study in Western China

by Bing Lin, Jiaxiu Liu, Wei He, Haiying Pan and Xiaoni Zhong

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1333; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021333 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2041

Abstract

Background: The psychological status of men who have sex with men (MSM) as a vulnerable population during COVID-19 is worthy of attention. However, studies of Chinese MSM are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological status and influencing factors [...] Read more.

Background: The psychological status of men who have sex with men (MSM) as a vulnerable population during COVID-19 is worthy of attention. However, studies of Chinese MSM are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological status and influencing factors of MSM population and to provide a scientific basis for this group to actively respond to public health emergencies. Methods: From June to September 2020, we conducted an online survey. MSMs were recruited through collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and peer recommendations. The variables we collected included four aspects: demographic and HIV-related characteristics; COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors; COVID-19-related risk perception; epidemic exposure. The psychological status was assessed by the Psychological Questionnaire for Emergent Events of Public Health (PQEEPH), which defined the psychological status as five primary disorders: depression, neurasthenia, fear, anxiety, and hypochondria. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the influences of COVID-19-related factors on the psychological status. Results: We surveyed 412 MSM online during COVID-19. The five psychological status of high-risk states accounted for 16.99% (depression), 14.08% (neurasthenia), 16.75% (fear), 16.50% (anxiety), and 18.20% (hypochondria), respectively. Not being well-informed about the causes of COVID-19 (p = 0.020) and having experienced epidemic exposure (p = 0.006) were able to promote the occurrence of depression. Lack of knowledge of the curative effect of COVID-19 has a higher risk of occurrence neurasthenia (p < 0.001). Being afraid of the novel coronavirus (p < 0.001) promoted fear. The perceived prevalence of the epidemic (p = 0.003), being more susceptible to COVID-19 (p < 0.001), and not being well-informed about the causes of COVID-19 (p = 0.005) had a positive effect on anxiety. Considering that the epidemic was not effectively controlled (p = 0.017), being more susceptible to COVID-19 (p < 0.001) was a contributing factor to the hypochondria. Conclusions: The incidence of psychological disorders in Chinese MSM was higher than that in other groups during COVID-19. Factors associated with COVID-19 may cause a range of mental health problems in this population. Greater attention should be paid to the mental health status of special populations during the epidemic, and effective preventive education and intervention measures should be taken. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

13 pages, 396 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Marriage on Burnout among Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Yong-Hsin Chen, Shu-Zon Lou, Ching-wen Yang, Hsiu-Mei Tang, Chiu-Hsiang Lee and Gwo-Ping Jong

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15811; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315811 - 28 Nov 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2678

Abstract

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, burnout symptoms have been prevalent among healthcare workers. Living with spouses can be complex and was associated with an increased burnout risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the relationship between living with spouses and [...] Read more.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, burnout symptoms have been prevalent among healthcare workers. Living with spouses can be complex and was associated with an increased burnout risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the relationship between living with spouses and burnout among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. We distributed questionnaires to participants working in a hospital affiliated with a medical university in Taiwan. The questionnaires were the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, which comprises personal burnout (PB), work-related burnout (WB), and client burnout subscales; the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire; and information on basic demographic variables, family factors, living habits, work-related factors, and physical health factors. Multiple linear regression and mediation analysis were used. We obtained 1615 (63.81%) valid questionnaires. After analysis revealed that marriage was an independent risk factor for PB; however, the effect of marriage on WB was nonsignificant after controlling for risk factors. Parenthood, less alcohol use, reported sleep duration less than six hours, less overtime, less shift work, and participation in leisure activities with family and friends were found to be mediators between marriage and a lower WB level. In addition, chronic diseases, frequent neck pain, and shoulder pain were suppression factors. In summary, marriage was associated with an increased risk of PB. Married individuals sustain a high WB level because of changes in family roles, living conditions, and work conditions. Overall, helping healthcare workers to maintain well-being in marriage or family living may be effective in decreasing burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

19 pages, 721 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structural Dimension Exploration and Measurement Scale Development of Employee Involution in China’s Workplace Field

by Guoqin Dou, Guangxia Li, Yunyun Yuan, Bin Liu and Lifeng Yang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14454; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114454 - 4 Nov 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4040

Abstract

The phenomenon of workplace involution has attracted ample attention. How to make employees treat their work with the correct attitude and behavior and improve their work performance has become a realistic proposition. This study uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, [...] Read more.

The phenomenon of workplace involution has attracted ample attention. How to make employees treat their work with the correct attitude and behavior and improve their work performance has become a realistic proposition. This study uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, with the help of grounded theory, to conduct an exploratory study on the structural dimensions of employee involution in the Chinese workplace and, on this basis, to develop and test the measurement scale. The research results show that employee involution is a multi-dimensional construct with rich connotations, including four dimensions: inefficient busyness, exhaustion of innovation, promotion anxiety, and internal competition. The measurement scale consists of four factors and 13 items. The factor analysis results showed that the developed scale’s reliability and validity reached an ideal level. To a certain extent, this study promotes the recognition and attention of various types of organizations at all levels to involution. The research conclusions provide theoretical guidance for employees to get rid of the involution crisis and will motivate managers to formulate better intervention measures to prevent and reduce workplace involution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

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12 pages, 365 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between Nightmare Experience and Athletes’ Personality Traits and Anxiety

by Youteng Gan, Ruohang Wang, Jiangang Li, Xueyu Wang and Hongying Fan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12900; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912900 - 8 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2342

Abstract

Objective: Frequent nightmare behavior or deep nightmare experiences may harm the physical and mental health and performance of athletes. This study explores the nightmare experiences of athletes, and includes non-athletes with similar experiences for comparison. Methods: The Nightmare Experience Questionnaire (NEQ); Zuckerman–Kuhlman–Aluja Personality [...] Read more.

Objective: Frequent nightmare behavior or deep nightmare experiences may harm the physical and mental health and performance of athletes. This study explores the nightmare experiences of athletes, and includes non-athletes with similar experiences for comparison. Methods: The Nightmare Experience Questionnaire (NEQ); Zuckerman–Kuhlman–Aluja Personality Questionnaire, Shortened Form (ZKA-PQ/SF); and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) were used. The subjects were 187 athletes (mean age = 20.44 years, SD = 0.85; 91 females, 96 males) and 90 non-athletes (mean age = 20.34 years, SD = 1.65; 52 females, 38 males) who reported having nightmares. Results: A total of 87 athletes (46.5%) reported having nightmare experiences. The athlete nightmare group scored significantly higher in neuroticism than the non-nightmare group, and their anxiety scores were significantly higher than those of non-athletes, who scored higher in aggressiveness, neuroticism, and sensation seeking. Moreover, anxiety, neuroticism, and sensation seeking positively predicted athletes’ nightmare experiences. Conclusions: Personality traits and anxiety levels can be effectively applied to predict athletes’ nightmare experiences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

13 pages, 400 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mediation Effect of Musculoskeletal Pain on Burnout: Sex-Related Differences

by Yong-Hsin Chen, Chih-Jung Yeh, Chun-Ming Lee and Gwo-Ping Jong

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12872; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912872 - 8 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2069

Abstract

Burnout occurs when people are exposed to emotionally demanding work situations over an extended period, resulting in physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. This study adopted the personal burnout (PB) and work-related burnout (WB) scales of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory to measure burnout levels. [...] Read more.

Burnout occurs when people are exposed to emotionally demanding work situations over an extended period, resulting in physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. This study adopted the personal burnout (PB) and work-related burnout (WB) scales of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory to measure burnout levels. Musculoskeletal (MS) pain is one factor influencing burnout. Previous studies have demonstrated that male and female hormones may contribute to sex-related differences in MS pain. This was an observational and cross-sectional study conducted at a medical-university-affiliated hospital in Taichung, Taiwan, in 2021. Data were collected for demographic characteristics, family structure, living habits, occupation, physical health, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire score, and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory score. Of the 2531 questionnaires that were distributed, 1615 (63.81%) valid questionnaires remained after those with missing data were excluded. The results demonstrated neck and shoulder pain (NBSP) is commonly associated with burnout among healthcare workers, with a higher prevalence among women than among men. With confounders being controlled for, women were found to experience substantially higher levels of personal and work-related burnout than men did. NBSP is a mediating factor; therefore, it is a key reason why women are more likely than men to experience burnout. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

11 pages, 653 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of HLA Alleles on the Affective Distress Profile

by Mihaela Laura Vică, Cristian Delcea, Gabriela Alina Dumitrel, Mihaela Elvira Vușcan, Horea Vladi Matei, Cosmin Adrian Teodoru and Costel Vasile Siserman

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12608; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912608 - 2 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1768

Abstract

(1) Background: Affective distress can be triggered by aggressive stimuli with an unfavorable role for the individual. Some of the factors that lead to the development and evolution of a mental disorder can be genetic. The aim of this study is to determine [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Affective distress can be triggered by aggressive stimuli with an unfavorable role for the individual. Some of the factors that lead to the development and evolution of a mental disorder can be genetic. The aim of this study is to determine some correlations between the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes and the affective distress profile (PDA). (2) Methods: A psychological assessment and testing tool for anxiety was applied to 115 people. The low-resolution HLA alleles of class I (HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C) and class II (HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1) were identified by the PCR technique after DNA extraction from the blood. Depending on the PDA, the subjects were divided into two groups: a group with a low PDA and another one with a medium and high PDA. The IBM SPSS software was used to compare the frequency of HLA alleles between the two groups. (3) Results: The univariate analysis revealed a significant association of the HLA-A locus (A*01, A*30), HLA-B (B*08), and HLA-DRB1 (DRB1*11) with the low PDA group and of the HLA-A locus (A*32), HLA-B (B*52), and HLA-C (C*12) with the medium and high PDA group. (4) Conclusions: The present study highlighted potential associations between HLA alleles and anxiety disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

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30 pages, 1144 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Depressive, Anxious, and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms Related to Violence during the COVID-19 Pandemic, by Sex, COVID-19 Status, and Intervention-Seeking Conditions among the General Population

by Silvia Morales Chainé, Rebeca Robles García, Alejandro Bosch and Claudia Lydia Treviño Santa Cruz

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12559; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912559 - 1 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1750

Abstract

Worldwide, three out of four of the general population have reported experiencing violence. Governments should address solutions to violence and its effects on mental health. The study aimed to determine depressive, anxious, and posttraumatic stress symptoms related to the violence experienced during the [...] Read more.

Worldwide, three out of four of the general population have reported experiencing violence. Governments should address solutions to violence and its effects on mental health. The study aimed to determine depressive, anxious, and posttraumatic stress symptoms related to the violence experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic in the general population. The study was conducted with 18,449 Mexicans of 33 years (SD = 11.00, range = 18–59), with 12,188 (66.10%) being women, 3559 (19.29%) having COVID-19, 2706 (14.67%) seeking psychological care, and 5712 (30.96%) experiencing violence. Subjects completed the Major Depressive Episode (MDE) Checklist, Generalized Anxiety (GA) Scale, and the Posttraumatic Stress (PTS) Checklists (PCL-5) programmed in a WebApp application. We assessed the dimensionality of the scales through the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), the measurement invariance, and a structural equation model (SEM). In the total sample, 28.10% fulfilled the MDE criteria, and 42.30% had high levels of GA. In the sample of those experiencing violence, 48.40% met the MDE criteria, 61.70% had high GA symptoms, and 50% met the criteria for a PTS disorder. Experiencing violence was associated with GA and severe PTS symptoms when the discomfort had bothered them for over a month since the onset of these symptoms. Subjects who had experienced violence and had mental health symptoms seemed ready for treatment. Further studies will evaluate the effect of remote psychological care to help reduce the treatment gap. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

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11 pages, 1975 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Brief Screening for Distress among Healthcare Professionals: Psychometric Properties of the Physician Well-Being Index—Spanish Version

by Rebeca Robles, Ana Fresán, Natasha Alcocer-Castillejos, Janet Real-Ramírez and Silvia Morales-Chainé

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9451; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159451 - 2 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2448

Abstract

Background: The Physician Well-Being Index (PWBI) is a brief, valid, reliable self-assessment instrument to identify health professionals’ distress and those in need of an intervention. Objective: to evaluate the construct, predictive validity (of depression, suicidal ideation, insomnia, and generalized anxiety), and internal consistency [...] Read more.

Background: The Physician Well-Being Index (PWBI) is a brief, valid, reliable self-assessment instrument to identify health professionals’ distress and those in need of an intervention. Objective: to evaluate the construct, predictive validity (of depression, suicidal ideation, insomnia, and generalized anxiety), and internal consistency of the 7-item Spanish version of the PWBI (PWBI-S). Methods: out of a national population of approximately 1 million Mexican healthcare professionals, a sample of 3506 subjects (42.0% physicians, 28.7% nurses and 29.3% psychologists) completed an online survey between 17 April and 7 May 2020, at the time of the COVID-19 case cluster transmission scenario in Mexico. Results: In the three sub-samples, PWBI-S’s Confirmatory factor analyses (adding residual covariances) exhibited adequate goodness of fit indices for the PWBS original unidimensional model. Overall Cronbach’s alphas were 0.89 for physicians, 0.90 for nurses, and 0.86 for psychologists. Univariate logistic regression models showed that a cutoff point of 3 on the total score of the PWBI-S was generally related to the presence of depression, suicidal ideation, and insomnia, but not with generalized anxiety among nurses and psychologists. When trying with a cutoff point of 3, a relationship with GA was shown in psychologists, but not in nurses. Conclusions: our findings suggest that PWBI-S is a valid, reliable measure for clinical and research purposes in the field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

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Review

Jump to: Research, Other

68 pages, 6555 KiB

Open AccessReview

Health, Hope, and Harmony: A Systematic Review of the Determinants of Happiness across Cultures and Countries

by Sunitha Singh, Sowmya Kshtriya and Reimara Valk

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3306; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043306 - 13 Feb 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 10921

Abstract

The aim of this study was to review the literature on what constitutes happiness across cultures and countries to advance scholarly knowledge on the happiness construct. A systematic review was conducted to examine the determinants of happiness in samples across cultures and countries. [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to review the literature on what constitutes happiness across cultures and countries to advance scholarly knowledge on the happiness construct. A systematic review was conducted to examine the determinants of happiness in samples across cultures and countries. Five different databases, including APA PsycNet, EBSCO-Academic, EBSCO-Business, Project MUSE, and Google Scholar, grey literature, and in-text references from relevant review articles were used. A total of 155 articles were included in the review, encompassing studies from over 100 countries and 44 cultures. Myriad determinants of happiness were found that were placed into three broad categories labeled Health, Hope, and Harmony. The predominant happiness determinants were mental, emotional, and physical well-being, a purposeful holistic work–life balance, nurturing social relationships, caring for self and others, and being in harmony with one’s culture, traditions, community, religion, and environment. This study engendered an “Integrated Model of the Determinants of Happiness” to provide a universally applicable conceptualization of the happiness construct. By examining studies on determinants of happiness across the globe in the past 90 years, this review uncovered that happiness constitutes multiple determinants that fall under three major categories: ‘Health’, ‘Hope’, and ‘Harmony’. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

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Other

Jump to: Research, Review

11 pages, 339 KiB

Open AccessCommentary

Anxious, Depressed, and Suicidal: Crisis Narratives in University Student Mental Health and the Need for a Balanced Approach to Student Wellness

by Jason Bantjes, Xanthe Hunt and Dan J. Stein

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 4859; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064859 - 9 Mar 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5791

Abstract

There is growing global awareness of the poor mental health of university students, as well as the need to improve students’ access to services and expand the range of available evidence-based interventions. However, a crisis narrative is emerging, particularly in the wake of [...] Read more.

There is growing global awareness of the poor mental health of university students, as well as the need to improve students’ access to services and expand the range of available evidence-based interventions. However, a crisis narrative is emerging, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, that runs the risk of positioning all students as potential patients in need of formal psychiatric interventions. Our aim in this commentary is to critically present the evidence that supports increased attention to student mental health, while also raising a concern that the crisis narrative may itself have unintended harmful consequences. We highlight some of the potential dangers of overtly medicalizing and thus pathologizing students’ experiences of everyday distress, inadequacies of formal diagnostic categories, limitations of focusing narrowly on psychotherapeutic and psychiatric interventions, and the short-sightedness of downplaying key social determinants of students’ distress. We argue for an integrative and balanced public health approach that draws on the rigor of psychiatric epidemiology and the advances that have been made to identify evidence-based interventions for students, while simultaneously being mindful of the shortcomings and potential dangers of working narrowly within the paradigm of diagnostic labels and psychotherapeutic interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

20 pages, 1810 KiB

Open AccessProtocol

E-Health Psychological Intervention for COVID-19 Healthcare Workers: Protocol for its Implementation and Evaluation

by Alejandro Dominguez-Rodriguez, Reyna Jazmín Martínez-Arriaga, Paulina Erika Herdoiza-Arroyo, Eduardo Bautista-Valerio, Anabel de la Rosa-Gómez, Rosa Olimpia Castellanos Vargas, Laura Lacomba-Trejo, Joaquín Mateu-Mollá, Miriam de Jesús Lupercio Ramírez, Jairo Alejandro Figueroa González and Flor Rocío Ramírez Martínez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12749; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912749 - 5 Oct 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4127

Abstract

(1) Background: Healthcare workers have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital interventions have been carried out that have been effective with this population; however, few have been reported in Latin America. Our aim is to describe the components and methods to evaluate [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Healthcare workers have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital interventions have been carried out that have been effective with this population; however, few have been reported in Latin America. Our aim is to describe the components and methods to evaluate the feasibility and utility of an online multi-component psychological intervention for healthcare workers in Mexico during COVID-19. (2) Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial with two arms: (1) self-applied intervention and (2) intervention delivered online by therapists. The participants are randomly assigned to one arm, receiving the same treatment contents in both groups. The “Personal COVID” intervention consists of an internet platform containing 9 nuclear and 3 complementary modules. The objectives of the intervention are: (1) to reduce anxiety, depressive symptoms, burnout, and compassion fatigue, and (2) to increase the quality of life, sleep quality, self-care, and their skills to give bad news. The protocol has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT04890665). (3) Discussion: This protocol is designed according to the highest scientific standards following the SPIRIT guidelines. The “Personal COVID” intervention is expected to be of high efficacy in treating the emotional distress of healthcare workers and promoting their health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Well-Being: Feeling Stressed or Anxious?)

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