State Anxiety Scores Research Articles

Investigation of the patients’ perception on dental treatment and their anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic process

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anxiety levels of patients against dental treatment during the pandemic process and to get some information about the level of awareness, perceptions and attitudes of patients applying for dental treatment. Also to determine the relationship between anxiety levels and sociodemographic variables of individuals.
 Materials and Methods: 300 patients who applied to the dentistry faculty were included in this study and a questionnaire form was applied to these patients. The survey consist of three parts; in the first part patients' sociodemographic variables were asked, secondly State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-STAI developed by Spielberger was used to measure the level of anxiety and in the last part a questionnaire form about the perceived sensitivity to Covid-19 developed by the authors was applied. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS for Windows version 24.0 and a P value < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. The normality of distribution of continuous variables was tested by Shaphiro Wilk test. Mann whitney u test for and Kruskal Wallis test and Dunn multiple comparison tests were for used to compare non-normal data across 2 or more than 2 groups.
 Results: A total of 300 patients, 155 men and 145 women, participated in the study. The mean state anxiety score was 43.38 ± 8.34. Significant differences were not found among the independent variables affecting the level of anxiety, age, gender, marital status, education, whether individuals have had Covid-19. When the questions evaluating the patients perception on dental treatment were compared with the anxiety scores, statistically significant differences were found.
 Conclusion: Although dentistry has the highest risk of contamination, it has been determined that dentists' care with protective equipment does not have a problem for patients. It has been determined that the anxiety level of the patients is high in places such as dental hospitals where many patients are treated, but they are aware of the preventive measures to be taken against the pandemic process.

Covid-19: Predictors of Depression and Anxiety Among High School Students

Although it is thought that Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection does not clinically affect children as severely as adults, the short and long-term psychological effects on adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic are quite significant. The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression and related factors in high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June and July 2020, 506 high school students from two different provinces were included in the present study. A questionnaire form including sociodemographic characteristics, 'Child Depression Scale' and 'State-Trait Anxiety Scale' were applied online. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were used in data analysis, and p<0.05 was accepted as significance level. Depression prevalence was 22.9 %, median trait anxiety score was 44, and median state anxiety score was 39. Low-income level, think of themselves or the household was at risk, using information sources other than health professionals, high screen time, high mother coronavirus stress score and low family communication score were shown to increase depression. Higher school grades, not regularly exercising, think of themselves or the household were at risk, staying alone at home, high mother's and father's coronavirus stress scores and low family communication score were shown to increase state anxiety. Adolescents highly suffer from psychological outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is essential to involve the family in planning and implementing early mental health interventions during the pandemic, especially as parent-related factors affect children's psychological state. During the social isolation period, it is recommended to organize indoor exercise programs for children and adolescents, limit the time spent in front of the screen, and improve communication with family members. © 2021 The Author(s).

Modeling Skin Conductance Response Time Series during Consecutive Rapid Decision-Making under Concurrent Temporal Pressure and Information Ambiguity.

Emergency situations promote risk-taking behaviors associated with anxiety reactivity. A previous study using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) has demonstrated that prespecified state anxiety predicts moderate risk-taking (middle-risk/high-return) after salient penalty events under temporal pressure and information ambiguity. Such moderate risk-taking can be used as a behavioral background in the case of fraud damage. We conducted two psychophysiological experiments using the IGT and used a psychophysiological modeling approach to examine how moderate risk-taking under temporal pressure and information ambiguity is associated with automatic physiological responses, such as a skin conductance response (SCR). The first experiment created template SCR functions under concurrent temporal pressure and information ambiguity. The second experiment produced a convolution model using the SCR functions and fitted the model to the SCR time series recorded under temporal pressure and no temporal pressure, respectively. We also collected the participants’ anxiety profiles before the IGT experiment. The first finding indicated that participants with higher state anxiety scores yielded better model fitting (that is, event-related physiological responses) under temporal pressure. The second finding demonstrated that participants with better model fitting made consecutive Deck A selections under temporal pressure more frequently. In summary, a psychophysiological modeling approach is effective for capturing overlapping SCRs and moderate risk-taking under concurrent temporal pressure and information ambiguity is associated with automatic physiological and emotional reactivity.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Activity in Adverse Events Reporting After Placebo Administration.

Participants of clinical trials who receive a placebo treatment often report a variety of adverse events, sometimes called nocebo effects. The reason why these adverse events occur is not clear, and understanding the underlying mechanisms represents a challenge that is likely to improve the interpretation of clinical trials as well as medical practice. Here, we studied 192 healthy subjects who received placebo oxygen through a mask after reading (READ) or not reading (NO-READ) a list of possible adverse events of oxygen breathing: headache, chest pain, abdominal pain, and cough. The whole hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis was assessed just before and right after placebo breathing by measuring the hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and adrenal cortisol (COR). In addition, both state and trait anxiety were assessed. We found that 64.5% of the NO-READ group reported no adverse events, 30.2% had one, and only 5.2% had two adverse events. In contrast, only 20.8% of the READ group reported no adverse events, whereas 1, 2, 3, and 4 adverse events were reported with a frequency of 21.8%, 19.8%, 19.8%, and 17.7%, respectively. In addition, when the READ group reported three and four adverse events, CRH, ACTH, and COR were significantly increased compared to the NO-READ group, along with an increase in state anxiety scores. These data indicate that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity and state anxiety are increased in those subjects who report many adverse events after reading a list of adverse events, thus highlighting a possible neuroendocrine mechanism after placebo administration.

Impact of Music Listening and Information Training Provided Prior to Coronary Angiography on Physiological Parameters and Anxiety

Purpose: Individuals often experience anxiety prior to the coronary angiography procedure (CAG) and this condition affects physiological parameters negatively. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of music listening and information training provided prior to CAG on anxiety level and physiological parameters. &#x0D; Materials-Methods: The study was conducted as a randomized controlled intervention study. The sample number was randomized to the intervention 1 (music listening), intervention 2 (information training) and control group (routine care). Each group had 34 individuals. The study assessed the data via the Introductory Characteristics Form, Spielberg’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and pain level in the SPSS (25.00) program. &#x0D; Findings: The mean state anxiety scores had the highest decrease in the music listening group (X ̅=57.59, X ̅=38.93) and the lowest decrease in the control group (X ̅=52.57, X ̅=52.43) compared to before the CAG procedure (p

Field study for determining the effect of COVID-19 on healthcare workers

Aim: This study determines the anxiety levels of health workers by evaluating their anxiety status in the challenging process of the pandemic. Material and Methods: One hundred forty health workers who studied at pandemic hospital were included in the study. The data were collected using the Pandemic Period Data Form (PPDF), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), prepared for assessing anxiety levels of health workers in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak. Results: In the study there was a significant difference between the health care workers working in intensive care units and those working in non-intensive care units in terms of age, gender, and presence of children. We found that there was a significant difference in STAI state anxiety scores (p < .05) of health workers in terms of having children, and they had higher levels of state anxiety. On average, the health workers from intensive care units had higher levels of PPDF anxiety. In this study, we detected that the COVID-19 anxiety levels of the health workers between the ages of 20 and 30 were higher compared with those aged 41 and above (p < .05). Discussion: It was found that the pandemic process had a negative impact on health workers as their anxiety increased in this process. Elimination of the gaps related to application or information in the published guidelines can help health workers feel more safe.

Comparing the effects of self-selected MUsic versus predetermined music on patient ANXiety prior to gynaecological surgery: the MUANX randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAnxiety is frequently observed in the preoperative setting. The negative impact of preoperative anxiety is well known. In the context of gynaecological surgery, anxiety is exacerbated by the fact that the intervention can have catastrophic repercussions on a woman’s body image, sexuality, and psycho-affective well-being. Music listening is increasingly used as an alternative therapy for minimizing preoperative anxiety. Personal preferences, familiarity, and popularity may be key elements for an optimal relaxation response to music.This study aimed to determine whether listening to self-selected music decreases preoperative anxiety in women scheduled to undergo gynaecologic surgery compared with predetermined music from an application (MUSIC CARE®).MethodsThe MUANX study was a single-blind, monocentric, parallel, superiority, randomized controlled trial. A total of 174 women were included and randomized in two groups between August 2017 and September 2018. Patients in the intervention group listened to the personal music playlist that they had created before being hospitalized. Patients in the control group listened to the predetermined playlist on the MUSIC CARE® application. All patients received standard nursing care and listened to 20 min of music 1 h before surgery. Anxiety scores were assessed before and after the music session using Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).ResultsThe mean age of the 171 evaluated patients was 41.5 years (SD = 10.0 years). Before the music session, the STAI state anxiety score was similar in the control group (M = 38.8, SD = 11.9) and the intervention group (M = 39.0, SD = 13.1). After the music session, this score had significantly decreased in both the control group (M = −7.2, SD = 9.0) and the intervention group (M = −5.5, SD = 6.6), with no significant difference in score reduction between groups. Physiological parameters were unchanged after the music session. No significant differences in postoperative measurements (pain intensity, hospitalization duration) were observed between the two groups.ConclusionSelf-selected music is as effective as predetermined music for reducing patient anxiety before gynaecological surgery. As it has no side effects and is easily applicable in gynaecological surgical services, this non-drug intervention may be proposed by healthcare professionals in the management of preoperative anxiety.Trial registrationThe MUANX trial (MUsic therapy on ANXiety) is registered at the US National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov) #NCT03226834. Registered on 24 July 2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03226834?term=muanx&draw=2&rank=1

The Effect of Virtual Reality on Pain and Anxiety During Colonoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of virtual reality application during a colonoscopy on the pain and anxiety experienced by patients.The study was conducted as experimental, randomized, controlled research. The study was carried out between October 15, 2017 and May 20, 2018 in the Endoscopy Unit of a Public Hospital in northern Turkey. The study sample consisted of 60 patients who underwent colonoscopy. The patients were divided into 2 groups by using simple randomization. The patients in the experimental group watched virtual reality applications during colonoscopy, whereas the patients in the control group underwent standard colonoscopy protocol. Colonoscopy was performed on patients in both groups by the same gastroenterologist without the use of anesthesia. The demographic data of both groups, pain levels during and after the procedure, before and after the procedure anxiety levels were evaluated.The mean age of the patients in the experimental group was 56.33 ± 11.81, the mean age of the patients in the control group was 56.20 ± 15.62. There was no statistically significant difference between the pre- and post-operative state anxiety score averages of the patients in the experimental and control groups. There was a statistically significant difference between the trait anxiety scores (P < .000) and pain scores (P < .03) during the procedure between both groups.The virtual reality application was found to reduce patients' pain during the colonoscopy procedure. The virtual reality application, an easily available, inexpensive, and non-invasive method, can be used by nurses in pain management during colonoscopy.

Precompetitive Stress In Rhythmic Gymnasts Assessed By Using Salivary Alpha-amylase, Protein And Potassium

Stress and adaptation are primary components of training and competitions in rhythmic gymnastics. This sport requires gymnasts to demonstrate maximum physical effort under great psychological pressure. Non-invasive biomarkers, such as salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), function as useful indicators of stress in acute and chronic stress studies. PURPOSE: To assess the pre-competitive stress levels in rhythmic gymnasts by using non-invasive biochemical methods and anxiety questionnaires. METHODS: The study included 10 rhythmic gymnast competitors (age: 14.7 ± 1.57 years), at the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships. Saliva was collected by using cotton swab salivates without salivary stimulation at three different times: at home nine days pre-competition (baseline), before a training session five days pre-competition, and just before the competition. The sAA activity and the concentration of salivary protein (sP) and salivary potassium (K+) were measured. Trait and state anxiety were evaluated by using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Comparisons were made using one-way ANOVA with repeated measures. RESULTS: The mean state anxiety score was significantly higher before the training session in contrast to the baseline, 36.90 ± 11.03 vs 30.80 ± 10.26, p < 0.05 and before the competition, 40.10 ± 9.57 vs 30.80 ± 10.26, p < 0.05). The mean sAA activity was 5.89 ± 0.75 ln(U/mL) at baseline, and increased significantly to 6.56 ± 0.58 ln(U/mL) just before the training session (p < 0.05), and it was 6.90 ± 0.70 ln(U/mL) before the competition (p < 0.05 vs baseline). The mean sP concentration increased progressively but the differences were not significant 1.84 ± 0.70 [g/L] vs 2.28 ± 0.97 [g/L] vs 2.91 ± 1.44 [g/L], respectively. The mean salivary K+ concentration was significantly higher before the competition vs the baseline value (35.73 ± 8.3 mmol/L vs 23.94 ± 4.83 mmol/L, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The sAA activity and salivary K+ concentration were both in agreement with the anxiety scores, and they can be applied as useful non-invasive biomarkers of stress. A combination of psychological, biochemical and physiological indicators should be used to establish a comprehensive assessment of stress in competitive sport.

Factors Associated with Pain Level in Patients Receiving Intravitreal Injection.

Purpose:To identify the factors associated with the pain level in patients receiving intravitreal injection.Methods:A total of 120 patients were prospectively evaluated, and 104 were included in the study. Patients were asked to rate their pain intensity from 0 to 10 on the visual analog scale. Factors that were possibly associated with pain level were evaluated using a sociodemographic data form, state anxiety inventory, and the hospital anxiety and depression scale.Results:Of the participants, 54 (51.9%) were female, and 50 (48.1%) were male, with a mean age of 65 ± 9.01 years. There was a positive correlation between pain level and state anxiety scores (r = 0.30; P < 0.001) and a negative correlation between hospital anxiety score (r = −0.23; P = 0.02) and hospital depression score (r = −0.27; P = 0.01). The correlation between pain score and education level was significantly higher in primary and secondary school graduates (P < 0.01). Smokers were observed to have higher pain scores (6.50 ± 2.21 in smokers and 4.87 ± 2.50 in nonsmokers; P = 0.01). Among diagnostic groups, pain scores were found to be significantly lower in the diabetic retinopathy (DR) group (6.82 ± 1.99 in age-related macular degeneration, 5.94 ± 2.27 in retinal vein occlusion, and 3.58 ± 1.97 in DR; P < 0.001). When pain scores were evaluated according to the drug injected, the group receiving bevacizumab injection was observed to have higher pain scores (7.32 ± 1.81 in bevacizumab, 4.00 ± 2.08 in aflibercept, and 3.92 ± 1.96 in ranibizumab; P < 0.001). Based on the multiple regression analysis, the state anxiety score, hospital anxiety score, hospital depression score, and smoking status were observed not to be significant predictors. The level of education, diagnosis, and active substance were found to have a statistically significant effect on pain perception.Conclusion:In this study, pain levels have been found to be high in smokers, those with a low educational level, individuals receiving bevacizumab for intravitreal injection, and those having a higher level of state anxiety, whereas patients with DR have lower pain scores.

Rapid refeeding does not worsen anxiety in adolescents with anorexia nervosa: a pilot study

ABSTRACT The study aimed to describe the progression of state anxiety in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) hospitalized on a high calorie refeeding (HCR) protocol. Participants, 12–21 years, admitted for malnutrition due to AN were placed on a HCR protocol in which calories were advanced by 300 kcal/day. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) was given to participants within 24 hours of hospitalization and the state anxiety component of the STAIC was administered daily immediately before and after breakfast until discharge. Of 22 patients enrolled, 86% were female, mean age was 14.9 ± 2.0 years, and 95% had AN-restrictive type. The median state and trait anxiety scores at time of admission were 37.0 (28–55) and 35.5 (23–51), respectively. There was no significant difference in median pre-meal state anxiety from hospital day 1 to 6 (34.0(26–55) vs. 38.5(25–55), p-value = 0.079) or in median post-meal state anxiety from hospital day 1 to 6 (35.5(29–56) vs. 37(24–56), p-value = 0.484). Similarly, we found minimal correlation between change in caloric intake and change in pre-meal S-anxiety (Spearman correlation coefficient = −0.032) or post-meal S-anxiety (Spearman correlation = 0.032). While this was a small sample observing anxiety over one week, we found no evidence that state anxiety increased with advancing calories, providing additional support for the use of more rapid refeeding protocols.

The effects of an interdisciplinary supportive educational program on anxiety among patients undergoing cataract surgery

Background: In most ophthalmic surgeries, patients are conscious or semi-conscious, and hence, they may experience varying levels of anxiety during surgery. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an interdisciplinary supportive educational program on anxiety among patients undergoing cataract surgery (CS). Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out in February–August 2019 using a two-group pretest–posttest design. Participants were 64 patients with cataract who were referred to Feiz Hospital, Isfahan, Iran, for undergoing CS. They were consecutively recruited and randomly assigned to either a control or an intervention group. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Participants in the intervention group received an interdisciplinary supportive educational intervention, while their counterparts in the control group received routine care services. State anxiety and trait anxiety were assessed both on the sampling day and after regaining full postoperative consciousness. Data analysis was done via the independent and the paired samples t-, the Mann–Whitney U-, and the Chi-square tests. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the intervention and the control groups respecting the pretest mean scores of state anxiety (35.25 ± 8.51 vs. 35.72 ± 9.43; P = 0.83) and trait anxiety (38.25 ± 7.002 vs. 39.16 ± 8.58; P = 0.64). However, there were statistically significant differences between the groups regarding the posttest mean scores of state anxiety (28.66 ± 10.39 vs. 34.84 ± 9.36; P = 0.02) and trait anxiety (31.76 ± 8.51 vs. 38.13 ± 10.29; P = 0.01). Conclusion: As a simple and inexpensive intervention, an interdisciplinary supportive and educational program through both face-to-face communication and telecommunication methods is effective in significantly reducing anxiety among patients undergoing CS.

The potential role of an activity-based guitar program on the anxiety and fulfillment levels of younger relatives of cancer patients: A pilot study

In this study, the authors evaluated the potential role of an activity-based guitar training program on reducing anxiety and providing fulfillment for younger relatives of cancer patients. Ten active members of KHYD (The Society for Relatives of Cancer Patients), between ages 11 and 17 participated in an 8-week guitar education program. The participants filled out two questionnaires before and after their engagement in the 8-week program, one to measure changes in their anxiety levels (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and the other to measure changes in their general fulfillment levels (Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale). Wilcoxon signed rank test, as well as descriptive statistics were used in the analysis of data. Mean rank differences were observed to be statistically significant with respect to total state and trait anxiety scores; in both cases, the participants’ scores decreased after their engagement in the program. Statistically significant mean rank differences were also observed in the overall MSLSS scores and its “friends” and “environment” sub-dimensions; with respect to these, participants’ scores increased after their engagement in the program. Recommendations for more comprehensive, larger-scale studies are given at the end.

Reflection of Learning Styles on Students' Anxiety and Learning Levels in Simulation Education: An Obstetrics and Neonatology Nursing Experience.

AIMThis study aimed to investigate whether the learning styles of nursing students affected their anxiety and learning levels during simulation education.METHODThis was a cross-sectional and quasi-experimental study, which included a total of 60 nursing students. The students received simulation education about labor management and first care of newborns. The Learning Styles Inventory III, the Trait Anxiety Scale, and a pretest were used before the simulation education, and the Perceived Learning Scale and a posttest were used after the simulation education to collect data.RESULTSAccording to data from the learning styles inventory, 81.6% of the students had a diverging learning style, 11.7% had an assimilating learning style, and 6.7% had an accommodating learning style. The mean state anxiety score was 49.83 ± 10.59 just before the simulation. The mean pretest score was 51.50 ± 16.96 and the mean posttest score was 54.17 ± 15.22. The perceived learning score was 35.45 ± 5.12. There was a significant difference in anxiety levels in terms of learning styles (p < .005).CONCLUSIONMost of the students in this study had a diverging learning style. Their anxiety levels did not change depending on their learning styles. The pretest/posttest results and perceived learning levels showed that simulation helped to achieve learning in all types of learners.

The effect of COVID-19 prevention methods training given through distance learning on state anxiety level: the case of private sector

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention methods training given by distance learning technique on the state anxiety level of the workers of a company serving in the communication sector.Design/methodology/approachThe sample of this experimental and cross-sectional study consisted of 52 people working in the communication sector. Data were collected using a questionnaire and the state anxiety inventory. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, variance analysis, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U and Tukey’s test.FindingsWhile the state anxiety scores of the workers working in the communication sector were 47.94 ± 4.90 before the training, they were found to be 43.98 ± 5.20 after the training.Research limitations/implicationsAs in every study, this study has some limitations. Although a homogeneous sample is tried to be formed since it only covers this group, it should be considered that there is a limitation in terms of generalizability. In addition, the fact that the knowledge score is not measured and the relationship between the knowledge score and the anxiety score is not evaluated should be considered as a limitation. Finally, it is also a limitation that the questionnaire form, which includes measurement tools, is applied online. It is thought that measuring errors can be minimized if questionnaires are applied face to face.Practical implicationsThe results of the study showed that the training given to the workers in the communication sector contributed positively to the reduction of anxiety levels. It is important to provide training and support to those with high anxiety levels. After providing effective protection for nurses/midwives under pandemic conditions and preventing their uncertainties, they can contribute to the reduction of anxiety levels by providing training to individuals who serve the society. It is recommended to plan health trainings for the anxiety of other sector workers serving the society and to focus on these groups. Thus, the effective protection of individuals and their service quality will increase and their anxiety may decrease.Originality/valueInformative support from nurses/midwives can make it easier to control anxiety arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The results are important in order to draw attention to the anxiety of other sector workers serving the society and the importance of informative roles of nurses. In order to reduce the anxiety levels of workers in different sectors, it is recommended to conduct more supportive training activities and to draw attention to the workers serving the society.

State anxiety modulates the effect of emotion cues on visual temporal sensitivity in autism spectrum disorder.

Atypical processing of stimulus inputs across a range of sensory modalities in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is widely reported. Sensory processing is known to be influenced by bodily internal states such as physiological arousal and anxiety. As a sizeable proportion of ASD reportedly have co-morbid anxiety disorders that are linked with dysregulated arousal, we investigated if face emotion arousal cues influenced visual sensory sensitivity (indexed by temporal resolution) in ASD (n=20) compared to a matched group of typically developed individuals (TD, n=21). We asked further if emotion-cued changes in visual sensitivity were associated with individual differences in state and trait anxiety. Participants reported the laterality of the second of two consecutive Gaussian-blob flashes in a visual temporal order judgment task (v-TOJ), demanding higher-level visual processing. The key manipulation was presenting a task-irrelevant face emotion cue briefly at unexpected time points preceding the task-relevant flashes. Disgust vs. Neutral emotion signals significantly enhanced the visual temporal resolution in ASD. Individual state-anxiety scores showed a fair correlative trend with the emotion-cued changes in temporal resolution (Disgust versus Neutral) in ASD but missed statistical significance. Both these effects were absent in TD. The results show that individual state-anxiety levels likely modulate the effect of emotions on visual temporal sensitivity in ASD. The findings support a nuanced approach to understand the disparate sensory features in ASD, by factoring in the interplay of the individual reactivity to environmental affective information and the severity of anxiety.

How do you feel during the COVID-19 pandemic? A survey using psychological and linguistic self-report measures, and machine learning to investigate mental health, subjective experience, personality, and behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic among university students

BackgroundThe WHO has raised concerns about the psychological consequences of the current COVID-19 pandemic, negatively affecting health across societies, cultures and age-groups.MethodsThis online survey study investigated mental health, subjective experience, and behaviour (health, learning/teaching) among university students studying in Egypt or Germany shortly after the first pandemic lockdown in May 2020. Psychological assessment included stable personality traits, self-concept and state-like psychological variables related to (a) mental health (depression, anxiety), (b) pandemic threat perception (feelings during the pandemic, perceived difficulties in describing, identifying, expressing emotions), (c) health (e.g., worries about health, bodily symptoms) and behaviour including perceived difficulties in learning. Assessment methods comprised self-report questions, standardized psychological scales, psychological questionnaires, and linguistic self-report measures. Data analysis comprised descriptive analysis of mental health, linguistic analysis of self-concept, personality and feelings, as well as correlational analysis and machine learning. N = 220 (107 women, 112 men, 1 = other) studying in Egypt or Germany provided answers to all psychological questionnaires and survey items.ResultsMean state and trait anxiety scores were significantly above the cut off scores that distinguish between high versus low anxious subjects. Depressive symptoms were reported by 51.82% of the student sample, the mean score was significantly above the screening cut off score for risk of depression. Worries about health (mental and physical health) and perceived difficulties in identifying feelings, and difficulties in learning behaviour relative to before the pandemic were also significant. No negative self-concept was found in the linguistic descriptions of the participants, whereas linguistic descriptions of feelings during the pandemic revealed a negativity bias in emotion perception. Machine learning (exploratory) predicted personality from the self-report data suggesting relations between personality and subjective experience that were not captured by descriptive or correlative data analytics alone.ConclusionDespite small sample sizes, this multimethod survey provides important insight into mental health of university students studying in Egypt or Germany and how they perceived the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in May 2020. The results should be continued with larger samples to help develop psychological interventions that support university students across countries and cultures to stay psychologically resilient during the pandemic.

Regulation strategies during COVID-19 quarantine: The mediating effect of worry on the links between coping strategies and anxiety

IntroductionThe COVID-19 outbreak forced Italian citizens into a generalized quarantine from March to May 2020. The quarantine is a successful measure to reduce the virus's spread through physical and social distancing, but it can also have negative psychological consequences on the population. People experience high levels of worry and anxiety and have to cope with the consequences of the health emergency. The aim of this study was to preliminarily assess the causal relations among coping, worry and state anxiety at the time of COVID-19 first wave, and the mediation role of worry between coping and state anxiety. MethodsDuring March 2020, 1273 Italian citizens completed an ad hoc online survey composed of sociodemographic and preoccupation-related questions, and standardized self-report questionnaire (Brief COPE, Penn State Worry Questionnaire and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State form). Three separate mediation models were performed. ResultsThe relationship between coping strategies (i.e.: problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping and dysfunctional coping) and state anxiety resulted to be mediated by worry. Dysfunctional and problem-focused coping had a negative effect on anxiety scores and this effect was amplified by high levels of worry. Emotion-focused coping reduced state anxiety scores through its effect on reducing the levels of worry, which in turn was related to a reduction in anxiety. ConclusionThe present study offers first evidence for the mediation role of worry in the relation between coping and anxiety during quarantine caused by COVID-19 pandemic. It supports the clinical importance of investigating people's coping strategies along with the levels of (cognitive) worry and their long-term effects on the psychological well-being during the outbreak, in order to deliver adequate personalized interventions. Psychological support should enhance emotion-focused coping strategies that have a protective effect on both worry and anxiety.

What emotions do physical therapy students feel during their first visit to the dissection room?

Dissections are a fundamental practical methodology for teaching human anatomy. However, this experience can be stressful, generating anxiety situations among students. This study tries to understand the attitudes, reactions, fears and anxiety state among students earning a physiotherapy degree when facing their first prosection. A cross-sectional before-and-after study was carried out with students who were provided with an anonymous “ad hoc” questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).The values obtained from the total STAI questionnaire remained stable and unchanged during the prosection (p>0.05). The levels of trait anxiety (TA) and state anxiety (SA) remained stable except in female students, who showed higher TA and SA scores, with a significance of p<0.05 before and after the prosection. Although 100% of the students were satisfied with the dissection practices, the experience can provoke stressful responses and should be addressed using coping mechanisms, especially among female students

The Relationship Between State and Trait Anxiety and Gastrointestinal Symptoms During COVID-19

ObjectivesTo determine 1) the relationships between gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and State and Trait anxiety in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic and 2) sex differences in GI symptoms and State and Trait anxiety.MethodsCollege students (n = 459; aged 18–23) at a midwestern university completed an online survey in mid-April 2020, which included the State and Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety (STICSA) and an amended Gastrointestinal Symptoms Questionnaires. Spearman rho correlation coefficients and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze the data.ResultsThe overall sample reported a mean of 5.61(5.43) of GI symptoms. Moderate to severe symptoms of abdominalbloating (31.8%), nausea (16.2%), passing gas (29.1%), abdominal rumbling (28.1%), abdominal cramping (20.4%), diarrhea (18.8%), and constipation (14.7%) were reported in participants. Females had greater GI symptoms compared to males (Females: 6.16 ± 5.39; Males: 4.01 + 4.46; U = 15108.00; P < .001). Females also exhibited higher total State (females: 40.60 + 12.79; males: 35.24 + 11.69; U = 15348.5; P < .001) and Trait (Females: 31.26 + 9.99; Males: 28.52 + 7.59: U = 16218.5; P < .001) anxiety scores compared to males. Higher GI symptoms were significantly related to higher State-Cognitive (rs = .476; P < .01); State-Somatic (rs = .525; P < .01); Trait-Cognitive (rs = .367; P < .01); and Trait-Somatic (rs = .500; P < .01) anxiety subscales scores.ConclusionsGI symptoms and anxiety were prominent in our sample during the COVID-19 pandemic. Females exhibited higher GI symptoms and State and Trait anxiety compared to males. GI symptoms were positively correlated with State and Trait anxiety. It may be warranted to screen individuals, especially females, for anxiety when presenting with GI symptoms.Funding SourcesNone