Fear Of Contagion Research Articles

How the COVID-19 pandemic shaped Canadians' preferences for setting of dying: Comparison of two panel surveys.

The purpose of this article is to assess whether COVID-19 shaped Canadians' preferred settings of dying. We compared data collected using the same survey from two independent but comparable sets of panel respondents, prior to and after the onset of the pandemic. A vignette methodology was used to assess preferences for dying in each of four settings: home, acute/intensive care, palliative care, and long-term residential care. Although preferences for dying at home, in acute/intensive care and palliative care units did not change, preferences for dying in nursing homes significantly declined. In the pandemic's first and second waves, the spread of knowledge about problems of poor care, visitation restrictions, and fears of contagion in Canadian long-term residential care may have shaped public perceptions of and preferences for dying these settings. If this change persists, it may influence advance care planning decisions. That preferences for dying at home did not shift is, however, noteworthy.

Social contagion of pain and fear results in opposite social behaviors in rodents: meta- analysis of experimental studies.

The study aimed to explore the key factors influencing emotional valence in rodents, focusing on the critical elements that distinguish the contagion processes of fear and pain. Through a systematic review and meta-analysis, we examined behavioral outcomes of rodents exposed to painful or fearful catastrophes to see whether they are prosocial or antisocial through three-chamber test and dyadic social interaction paradigm. Fear contagion, particularly when witnessed, leads to social avoidance behavior, unaffected by sex difference but more pronounced with age. In contrast, pain contagion promotes social approach and caring/helping behaviors. The present study demonstrates that the emotional valence induced by pain contagion is quite different from fear contagion and this difference may result in different motivations and social behaviors, namely, social contagion of pain is likely to be more associated with prosocial behaviors, however, social contagion of fear is likely to be more associated with antisocial behaviors. PROSPERO (CRD42024566326).

THE IMPACT OF PSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESSES ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF SOCIETY AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Introduction: Psychosomatic illnesses are conditions in which psychological factors significantly influence the development and progression of physical illnesses. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with its context of social isolation and uncertainty, has brought to light an increase in psychosomatic illnesses, highlighting the complex interconnection between mental and physical health. Objective: The general objective of this study is to identify the relationship between mental disorders and post-pandemic social isolation. Methodology: This is a systematic literature review. The following criteria were used for inclusion: articles published between 2019 and 2024, articles written in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Results: The results indicate that social isolation imposed by the pandemic, associated with economic uncertainty and fear of contagion, led to a significant increase in psychosomatic disorders, such as panic attacks, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to develop prevention and treatment strategies for psychosomatic illnesses, emphasizing the importance of humanized and multidisciplinary approaches.

How Has the Paris Rail Public-Transportation Network Recovered After the COVID-19 Pandemic? Applying a Mixture of Regressions Model

Through a combination of regulations, fear of contagion, and changes in travelers’ habits, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mobility of public-transit ridership worldwide. To understand the longer-term effects of the pandemic on public-transit ridership, we focus on the case of Paris, France, thanks to an open 5 year record of entries into more than 500 stations. To deal with the large volume of data, we use a statistical model that performs clustering and segmentation simultaneously while incorporating many exogenous variables, such as the day of the week or lockdowns, to account for their effect on the number of entries. We carry out an in-depth analysis of the results for the segments and clusters. Examining and comparing the regression coefficients across clusters and consecutive segments allows us to draw per-cluster and per-segment conclusions. We show that the number of weekday trips decreased in most clusters and that the reduction in weekly variations is proportional to the share of weekday trips in the volume of entries before the pandemic. In addition, we characterize the changes in the weekly profile: Thursday was replaced by Tuesday as the day with the highest ridership; because of teleworking, Friday became the least crowded weekday in clusters with strong differences between weekdays and weekends, while the lowest ridership weekday remains Monday in the other clusters.

Risk perception increase due to COVID-19 impacted antenatal care utilization among women in an indigenous community

BackgroundRisk perception varies greatly among individuals, affecting their behavior and decision-making in risky situations. The COVID-19 pandemic affected worldwide, but the role of risk perception related to COVID-19 in ethnic minorities in Mexico is unclear. This study quantifies the impact of COVID-related risk perception (susceptibility and severity) and perceived fear on the utilization of antenatal care services among indigenous women in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective crossover study between June and December 2021, interviewing 98 women from San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas. In a crossover design, each subject acts as their own control, so we required the participants to have a previous pregnancy experience. A logistic model was used to calculate the odds ratio for the outcome of having an adequate number of antenatal care visits. The analysis considered the period (during or before the pandemic) as well as perceived severity and susceptibility levels as independent variables.ResultsCOVID-19 reduced antenatal care utilization by 50%. During the pandemic, the adjusted odds ratio for attending health antenatal care services was 0.83 (95% CI: 4.8, 14.5) compared to pre pandemics. Adjusted for fear of contagion, the mother’s perception of severity was associated with an increased likelihood of an insufficient number of antenatal visits. OR = 0.25 (95% CI: 0.10, 0.65).ConclusionThe risk perception for COVID-19 decreased the likelihood of receiving an adequate number of antenatal care visits.

The Tiber Island in the history of dermatology and venereology, including the curious history of “K syndrome,” the fictitious disease that scared the Nazis

Tiber Island in Rome has a rich history as a center of worship and health care. Its origins date back to ancient times, with the establishment of the Temple of Asclepius marking its role in healing practices. Over centuries, it evolved into a hub for medical innovation and refuge during epidemics and conflicts. During World War II, Fatebenefratelli Hospital on Tiber Island played a pivotal role in sheltering Jews from Nazi persecution. Using a fictitious disease termed “K syndrome,” doctors helped endangered Jewish patients evade capture and deportation to concentration camps by exploiting Nazi fears of contagion. Patients diagnosed with “K syndrome” were shielded from apprehension, highlighting the hospital's innovative tactics to save lives amidst wartime atrocities. This episode underscores the hospital's courageous efforts and enduring legacy as a beacon of compassion in the face of adversity.

Impact of Covid-19 on Breast Cancer Screening.

To assess the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening. This was a cross-sectional and retrospective study, which used data extracted from "TABNET" between 2014 to 2020. Statistical analysis was carried out using the ANOVA model. In 2019, a total of 3,068,776 mammograms were conducted, which significantly decreased to 1,808,765 in 2020. Since the onset of the pandemic in Brazil in March 2020, there has been a reduction in the number of mammograms performed. Mammography coverage increased from 0.11 to 0.18 between 2014 and 2019 but sharply declined from 0.18 to 0.10 between 2019 and 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on breast cancer screening efforts, especially in detecting the disease in early stages. Health services shifted their focus towards caring for COVID-19 patients, therefore neglecting routine screening programs and interventions. Additionally, the population's fear of contagion contributed to a decrease in demand for screening tests.

Depression in nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

The pandemic meant a change in academic approach. This had an impact on the mental health of students, leading to, among other problems, depressive disorders. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence and factors that favoured the development of depression in nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic review with meta-analysis of prevalence was conducted in October 2023, using Pubmed, CINAHL and Scopus as the data sources used for the search. This review followed the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Search equation was: "(undergraduate nurses OR nursing students) AND depression AND (COVID-19 OR Sars-CoV-2)". The final set of articles was N = 12. Quantitative primary studies using anonymous scales and surveys to assess the prevalence of depression in nursing students in the last 3 years were included. Studies show a high prevalence of depression among young university students with figures above 50%. The total sample of students in the meta-analysis was n = 4,479 with a prevalence value of 32% (CI95% 22%-42%). Affected students are characterised by young, female students. Concerns included generalised academic uncertainty, social isolation, work overload, fear of contagion and concern about teaching delivery. Coping mechanisms were generally resilience, spiritual support, laughter therapy, seeking information about COVID-19 and eating food. In conclusion, students, especially female students, are at high risk of depression due to social isolation. In addition, coping techniques were inadequate and future strategies to prevent this situation should be considered.

Understanding the public stigma of mental illness: a mixed-methods, multi-level, exploratory triangulation study

BackgroundThis study examines the role of themata in understanding mental health-related stigma. It is motivated by the need for alternative theoretical-methodological approaches beyond the dominant frameworks in education and contact-based anti-stigma public health efforts, which have shown mixed effects. Specifically, it addresses the need for a more nuanced framework in stigma research, one that is sensitive to the dialogues through which people relate themselves to mental health and stigma in context.MethodsThe research employs an exploratory mixed-methods approach, including the analysis of 529 news reports, 20 focus group discussions, and 19 one-to-one interviews, all concerning representations of shared living arrangements with someone perceived to have experiences of mental illness. Thematic analysis and natural language processing are used within a convergent triangulation design to analyze the data.ResultsWe found that mental health and illness were communicated through an overarching Self/Other thema and five subordinate themata: normal/abnormal, harm/non-harm, bounded/non-bounded, and moral/immoral. Despite familiarity with psychological distress and ‘modern’ explanations of mental illness, concerns about social identity motivated representations of mental illness as a predominantly permanent, negative form of personhood marked by abnormality, harm, distance, and immorality. Additionally, concerns about personal vulnerability, including historically rooted fears of contagion, motivated distancing representations of mental illness, rather than neutral portrayals.ConclusionsThemata have under-developed theoretical and methodological potential for addressing mental health-related stigma, particularly in their ability to describe the dynamic ways in which culture motivates people to both resist and reproduce stigma, partly through ambivalences, absences, tensions, and ambiguities in representation. A critical discussion is provided on how themata may support ecological strategies in mental health campaigns over generic models, emphasizing the need to understand group knowledge and contact dynamics to mitigate adverse effects. Themata Public Health Unintended Consequences Mixed Methods Behaviour Change Natural Language Processing.

Contagion of fear: Investigating the psychology and effects of mass hysteria

Abstract: Mass hysteria, or mass psychogenic illness (MPI), refers to the rapid spread of symptoms or behaviors within a group without an identifiable physical cause, often triggered by psychological and social factors. This case report details an outbreak of MPI, commonly known as mass hysteria, at a girls’ boarding school in central Odisha. The incident was triggered by a 12-year-old student, Miss A, who exhibited physical symptoms such as fainting, shaking, and abdominal pain. These symptoms quickly spread to almost 100 other students. Medical evaluations found no physical cause, confirming the psychogenic origin of the outbreak. Cultural beliefs in malevolent spirits and social contagion were key factors in the spread, especially among the young, impressionable students. This case highlights the psychological and social mechanisms behind MPI outbreaks and emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health and cultural beliefs when managing such incidents.

Implications of brief cognitive behavioral intervention in managing prolonged grief and perceived stress among college students

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused widespread psychological impairments along with an increase in symptoms of prolonged and complicated grieving and stress due to fear of contagion, confusion, and helplessness. While many individuals cope with grief using internal and social resources, some experience persistent grief characterized by yearning for the deceased, difficulty accepting the loss, withdrawal from social activities, and impaired daily functioning. METHODS: In April 2022, a study involving 210 participants was conducted to estimate pandemic grief and COVID-19-related stress among college students, utilizing the Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS) and COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire. A follow-up in December 2023 revealed that 10% of participants (21 of 210) exhibited signs of prolonged grief and perceived stress. Four participants were selected for a brief online cognitive behavioral intervention. RESULTS: Common symptoms included trouble accepting the loss, intense sorrow, rumination, reduced interest in activities, and difficulty reintegrating into new relationships. A comparison of scores from pre- and post-therapeutic assessments and a follow-up (after 5 months) showed significant improvement in symptoms of prolonged grief and a reduction in perceived stress among participants. CONCLUSION: A brief cognitive-behavioral intervention has been found to be effective in reducing symptoms related to grief and stress. The findings indicate a need for psychological and social support to promote early intervention and sustain the effects of intervention.

Unpacking Pertinent States of Stigma and Stigmatization Associated with COVID-19 in Eclectic Contexts: a Review of the Literature

Abstract Incontrovertibly, stigma and its concomitant stigmatization continue to derail the efficacy of the campaign to subdue stigma that negatively affects people’s health-seeking behavior. This is because they are engulfed with fear, despondency, shame, and guilt. The current article, through a literature review methodology, discusses pertinent states of stigma and stigmatization associated with COVID-19 in eclectic contexts, but with more focus directed to Sub-Saharan Africa. Findings indicate that COVID-19 is associated with stigma and stigmatization: fear of contagion; hatred and maltreatment meted out against health professionals; a lack or unavailability of the vaccines and concerns for their efficacy; and mythical and fallacious environments. The article recommends that for effective de-stigmatization of COVID-19, societies need to explore how stigma is caused. The governments and other COVID-19 campaign authorities must work synergistically to control, regulate, and streamline the information dissemination process so that it is bereft of ambiguities, myths, and mistruths surrounding COVID-19.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Elite Swimmers and Water Polo Players: Lessons for the Future.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted global daily life, including the world of elite athletes. This paper examines the multifaceted impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on elite swimmers and water polo athletes, specifically their mental health, their concerns over the virus, their intentions of getting vaccinated, and sleep disturbances that they may have faced. We conducted a cross-sectional study on elite swimmers and water polo players, using an anonymous questionnaire. A total of 200 elite athletes participated. The majority of the participants reported a negative impact on their mental health, screened positive for insomnia (n = 107 (53.5%), with females (n = 101; 57.7%), swimmers (n = 100, 66.7%), and university students (n = 71, 71.7%) being more vulnerable (p < 0.001). Concerns about contracting the disease especially during important training or tournament periods and potential career disruption also affected their psychological well-being. While the majority (75%) had the intention of getting vaccinated, an alarming percentage was yet uncertain over its decision. This study highlights the significant psychological distress faced by elite aquatic athletes during the pandemic. It emphasizes the difficulties faced by elite swimmers and water polo athletes and determines not only the importance of addressing the vaccination intentions of athletes, but also how critical it is to confront the challenges they face both for their personal health and for the restoration of world sports to their pre-pandemic state. More large-scale studies are required to inform policies targeted at minimizing disruption to the athletes' career, provision of information on preventive measures and vaccination, and improvement in psychological well-being in case of similar major public health issues in the future. Additionally, this study calls for further research to explore the unique challenges faced by aquatic athletes, such as those related to their training environments and fear of contagion, to better support them in future public health crises.

Pandemic distress and anti‐immigration sentiments

AbstractWe investigate the causal nexus between pandemic distress and anti‐immigration sentiments. We exploit the disruption brought about by the Covid‐19 outbreak to randomly provide survey respondents with information on the economic or health consequences of the pandemic. Overall, we find that pessimistic information about the economic outlook reinforces overall adversity to immigration and the wish to exclude immigrants from access to healthcare. This effect is less pronounced in areas with larger immigrant populations. Our theoretical model pins down two possible mechanisms explaining these results: a zero‐sum game to split scarce public resources between residents and immigrants on the one hand, and on the other, fear of contagion.

The Concealing Effect of COVID-19: Unveiling the Surge in Community-Acquired Infections and Its Association With Diabetic Ketosis During the Pandemic.

Background Some studies suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has contributed to diverting attention from other community-acquired infections (CAIs), leading to an increase in their incidence and severity. Our study aimed to describe and compare clinical features of CAI before and during the pandemic as a factor precipitating diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA). Methodology We included 250 patients who presented with DKA due to CAIs, other than SARS-CoV-2, divided into two distinct groups: 100 patients (G1) who consulted two years before the pandemic, and 150 patients (G2) who consulted during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Cases in both groups were matched for age and type and duration of diabetes.Primary outcomes were a longer diagnosis delay and more severe DKA in G2 during the pandemic. Secondary outcomes included blood test results, duration of ketosis, duration of antibiotic therapy, and diabetes treatment. Results The diagnosis and treatment delays were longer for patients seeking medical care during the pandemic (p < 0.001). The duration of DKA was also significantly longer in the G2 group (p = 0.007). During the pandemic, patients' blood tests showed more anomalies with higher glycated hemoglobin (p = 0.02), C-reactive protein (p = 0.001), and lymphocytosis (p = 0.016). The duration of antibiotic therapy was also significantly longer in G2 (p = 0.01). Conclusions This study showed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of diseases other than SARS-CoV-2. Indeed, several factors played a part in the increased incidence of CAIs, which were more severe than in the pre-pandemic period. These included fear of contagion, confinement, and physicians' preoccupation with the pandemic.

Prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety and trauma-like symptoms in Chinese psychiatric patients during the fifth wave of COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in Hong Kong.

Psychiatric patients are susceptible to adverse mental health outcome during COVID-19 pandemic, but its associated factors are understudied. This observational cross-sectional study aimed to comprehensively examine prevalence and correlates of psychological distress, in terms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD)-like symptoms, among Chinese adult psychiatric outpatients amidst the peak of fifth COVID-19 wave in Hong-Kong. A total of 415 patients (comprising 246 patients with common-mental-disorders [CMD] and 169 with severe-mental-disorders [SMD]) and 399 demographically-matched controls without mental disorders were assessed with self-rated questionnaires between 28-March and 8-April-2022, encompassing illness profile, mental health symptoms, psychosocial measures (loneliness, resilience, coping styles) and COVID-19 related factors. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine variables associated with moderate-to-severe depressive, anxiety and PTSD-like symptoms among psychiatric patients. Our results showed that CMD patients had the greatest psychological distress relative to SMD patients and controls. Approximately 40-55% CMD patients and 25% SMD patients exhibited moderate-to-severe depression, anxiety and PTSD-like symptoms. Multivariable regression analyses revealed that female gender, lower educational attainment, single marital status, being housewife, more severe insomnia, psychotic-like symptoms and cognitive complaints, self-harm behavior, lower resilience, avoidance coping, never contracting COVID-19 infection, greater fear of contagion, and longer exposure to pandemic-related information were independently associated with depression, anxiety and/or PTSD-like symptoms in psychiatric patients. Our results affirm increased vulnerability of psychiatric patients toward psychological distress during pandemic. An array of identified correlates facilitates early detection of high-risk psychiatric patients for targeted strategies to minimize pandemic-related negative psychological impact.

Network analysis on psychopathological symptoms, psychological measures, quality of life and COVID-19 related factors in Chinese psychiatric patients in Hong Kong

BackgroundPsychiatric patients are susceptible to adverse mental health impacts during COVID-19, but complex interplays between psychopathology and pandemic-related variables remain elusive. This study aimed to investigate concomitant associations between psychopathological symptoms, psychological measures and COVID-19 related variables in Chinese psychiatric patients during the peak of fifth pandemic wave in Hong Kong.MethodsWe employed network analysis to investigate inter-relationships among psychopathological symptoms (including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder-like [PTSD-like] symptoms, insomnia, psychotic symptoms), cognitive complaints, health-related quality of life, loneliness, resilience and selected pandemic-related factors in 415 psychiatric outpatients between 28 March and 8 April, 2022. Network comparisons between genders, diagnosis (common mental disorders [CMD] vs. severe mental disorders [SMD]), and history of contracting COVID-19 at fifth wave were performed as exploratory analyses.ResultsOur results showed that anxiety represented the most central node in the network, as indicated by its highest node strength and expected influence, followed by depression and quality of life. Three comparatively strong connections between COVID-19 and psychopathological variables were observed including: fear of contagion and PTSD-like symptoms, COVID-19 stressor burden and PTSD-like symptoms, and COVID-19 stressor burden and insomnia. Network comparison tests revealed significant network structural difference between participants with history of contracting COVID-19 and those without, but showed no significant difference between genders as well as between CMD and SMD patients.ConclusionsOur findings suggest the pivotal role of anxiety in psychopathology network of psychiatric patients amidst COVID-19. Pandemic-related variables are critically associated with trauma/stress and insomnia symptoms. Future research is required to elucidate potential network structural changes between pandemic and post-COVID periods.

COVID-19-Related Stressors and Psychophysical Health Conditions among Italian University Students: A Post Pandemic Insight.

This study aims to assess and compare COVID-19-related stressors (relationships and academic life; isolation; and fear of contagion) and psychophysical symptoms reported by 637 university students at three times, i.e., April 2020 (n = 197), April 2021 (n = 200), and April 2022 (n = 240). The impact of COVID-19-related stressors on psychophysical symptoms within each time was also tested. In April 2022, perceived isolation and fear of contagion decreased from the peak registered in April 2021, but stress related to relationships and academic life remained high. An ongoing increase in psychophysical symptoms was found. More than 50% of students reported clinical levels of sleep disorders, depression, psychoticism, and interpersonal sensitivity. In April 2022, students still perceiving stress related to relationships and academic life and isolation were at risk for anxiety, somatization, and sleep disorders. Students still perceiving stress related to fear of contagion were also at risk for depression, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and psychoticism. The findings emphasized the long-lasting effects of COVID-19-related stress on students' psychophysical health. Interventions must aim at supporting students in dealing with the complex post-pandemic adjustment process.

Circulation in the time of COVID-19: An analysis of physical material data in an academic library

For the last decade or more, circulation numbers of physical materials have declined in academic libraries across the United States. In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered society and daily life, not to mention library functions. In particular, fears of contagion via physical surfaces and transmission by contact led many libraries to shutter their in-person services or temporarily close altogether. The circulation of physical materials was hit particularly hard, as the ability to browse shelves, check out items, access interlibrary loan, and a host of other similar services were curtailed. This article will examine the statistical markers of physical material handling (checkouts, renewals, item browses, etc.) for two years before and after the pandemic, to reach conclusions about how COVID-19 impacted usage, what we can tell about general patterns in circulation before and due to these changes, and ultimately what these numbers tell us about the future of traditional material use.

Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Predictors Among Spanish Police and Armed Forces During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain.

To assess the psychological impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the police and armed forces. Participants ( N = 242) completed an online survey that assessed posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), burnout, emotional suppression, and labor and sociodemographic variables. Mean difference, correlation, and stepwise linear regression tests were performed. One-third of participants showed severe PTSS, linked to patrolling duties, very frequent contact with other people, fear of contagion, perceived pandemic severity, living with at-risk people, taking a COVID-19 test, working more than normal, suffering an assault, having little vacation, and having to distance from loved ones. PTSS also correlated with the burnout dimensions and emotional suppression. Three-quarters had not received any support from their workplace. Effective interventions to optimize these professionals' personal, social, and working conditions are needed.