Mean Self-Rating Anxiety Scale Scores Research Articles

Correlation analysis of mental toughness, family social support, and anxiety of nursing staff.

This study aims to explore the impact of family social support affects anxiety levels and mental toughness among nursing staff, and to identify the pathways of how mental toughness develops. We selected 256 nursing staff from the Third People's Hospital of Chengdu using a convenience sampling method. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing family social support, anxiety level and mental toughness of the nursing staff. The questionnaires included the general information questionnaire, Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and the Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC). Then, we analyzed the correlation between nursing staff' family social support, anxiety symptoms and mental toughness by using Pearson correlation. Finally, we analyzed the effect of family social support on mental toughness and anxiety levels by using linear regression, and analyzed the path of family social support and psychological toughness on anxiety symptoms by using structural equation modeling. We finally collected 246 valid questionnaires with a valid recovery rate of 96.09%. 116 (47.15%) nursing staff reported a moderate level of family social support, with a mean PSSS score of (58.98 ± 7.64). Anxiety risk was identified in 43.39% of participants, with a mean SAS score of 50.47 ± 10.96. In terms of mental toughness, 104 (42.28%) nursing staff exhibited a low level of mental toughness, and 116 (47.15%) demonstrated moderate level of mental toughness with CD-RISC score of (58.23 ± 10.12). Correlation analyses revealed a strong negative correlation between the family social support, mental toughness and their anxiety (r = -0.586, -0.516, respectively), and a strong positive correlation between family social support and mental toughness (r = 0.571). Regression analysis showed that family social support was a significant negative predictor for anxiety (β = -0.841, t = -9.488), but a significant positive predictor for mental toughness (β = 0.756, t = 11.669). Mediation analysis indicated that mental toughness mediated 26.28% of the relationship between family social support and anxiety levels. Family social support can significantly reduce anxiety levels in nursing staff directly, as well as indirectly by increasing mental toughness.

Anxiety and depression among caregivers of pediatric patients with tic disorder in western China: A cross-sectional study.

Caregivers of pediatric patients with tic disorders (TD) are at high risk for anxiety and depression, but the situation of this disorder was rarely reported based on the Chinese population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and potential contributing factors of anxiety and depression among caregivers of Chinese pediatric patients with TD. A cross-sectional study was carried out on caregivers of pediatric patients with TD at a women's and children's hospital in western China from January to June 2020. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect data, including socio-demographic information, disease and medication status, family situation and social relationship, cognition and attitude towards TD and treatment. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS), respectively. The univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the cross-sectional data. A total of 318 participants were included in this study, with a response rate of 89.58% (318/355). The average age of pediatric patients with TD was 8.38 ± 2.54 years, and 78.30% (249/318) of caregivers were aged between 30-50 years old. Overall, 14.78% (47/318) of caregivers presented the symptom of anxiety, with a mean SAS score of 54.81±5.26, and 19.81% (63/318) of caregivers presented the symptom of depression, with a mean SDS score of 59.64±5.83. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the common family relationship (OR = 2.512, p = 0.024), and pediatric patients with unharmonious social relationships (OR = 5.759, p = 0.043) and with introverted personality (OR = 2.402, p = 0.023) were significantly associated with anxiety in caregivers of pediatric patients with TD, as well as the single-parent family (OR = 4.805, p = 0.011), mistaken cognition of TD (OR = 0.357, p = 0.031), and pediatric patients with fewer friends (OR = 3.377, p = 0.006) were significantly associated with depression. Anxiety and depression are prevalent among caregivers of TD pediatric patients, which brings up the importance of psychiatric support for this group. Longitudinal studies need to be conducted to further confirm the causality before interventions to improve mental health are developed.

Changes in Anxiety Level and Personal Protective Equipment Use Among Healthcare Workers Exposed to COVID-19.

BackgroundThe relationship between changes in anxiety levels and personal protective equipment (PPE) use is yet to be evaluated. The present study assessed this relationship among healthcare workers (HCWs) involved in the care of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).MethodsAn online survey was conducted in a municipal hospital with 195 nationally designated negative pressure isolation units in Korea. Anxiety level was measured using the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and changes in anxiety levels were assessed based on the time when COVID-19 vaccine was introduced in March 2021 in Korea. Monthly PPE usage between June 2020 and May 2021 was investigated.ResultsThe mean SAS score (33.25 ± 5.97) was within normal range and was lower than those reported in previous studies conducted before COVID-19 vaccination became available. Among the 93 HCWs who participated, 64 (68.8%) answered that their fear of contracting COVID-19 decreased after vaccination. The number of coveralls used per patient decreased from 33.6 to 0. However, a demand for more PPE than necessary was observed in situations where HCWs were exposed to body fluids and secretions (n = 38, 40.9%). Excessive demand for PPE was not related to age, working experience, or SAS score.ConclusionAnxiety in HCWs exposed to COVID-19 was lower than it was during the early period of the pandemic, and the period before vaccination was introduced. The number of coveralls used per patient also decreased although an excessive demand for PPE was observed.

Perioperative treatment compliance, anxiety and depression of elderly patients with ophthalmic surgery and the influential factors.

Ophthalmic surgery is invasive, and treatment efficacy is affected by a variety of factors. We aimed to analyze perioperative treatment compliance, anxiety and depression of elderly patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery and the influential factors. The study group comprised 119 elderly patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery between March 2018 and March 2020. Clinical and treatment compliance data of all patients were collected. The self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were administered to all patients, and logistic regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis. During the perioperative period the 119 elderly patients had a mean SAS score of 65.13±14.36, and SDS score of 61.94±17.39. Treatment compliance was as follows: 76 cases of complete compliance, 25 of incomplete compliance, and 18 of complete non-compliance. Economic status, complications, treatment options and levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 are independent risk factors that affected the compliance of elderly patients undergoing ophthalmology surgery (P<0.05). Education level, marital status, economic status, complications, treatment options and levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 were independent risk factors affecting perioperative anxiety and depression. There are many factors affecting the perioperative treatment compliance, anxiety and depression of elderly patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery. Effective intervention measures should be taken to improve patients' compliance, reduce their negative emotions, and improve the surgical efficacy.

Chinese College Students Have Higher Anxiety in New Semester of Online Learning During COVID-19: A Machine Learning Approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused tremendous loss starting from early this year. This article aims to investigate the change of anxiety severity and prevalence among non-graduating undergraduate students in the new semester of online learning during COVID-19 in China and also to evaluate a machine learning model based on the XGBoost model. A total of 1172 non-graduating undergraduate students aged between 18 and 22 from 34 provincial-level administrative units and 260 cities in China were enrolled onto this study and asked to fill in a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) twice, respectively, during February 15 to 17, 2020, before the new semester started, and March 15 to 17, 2020, 1 month after the new semester based on online learning had started. SPSS 22.0 was used to conduct t-test and single factor analysis. XGBoost models were implemented to predict the anxiety level of students 1 month after the start of the new semester. There were 184 (15.7%, Mean = 58.45, SD = 7.81) and 221 (18.86%, Mean = 57.68, SD = 7.58) students who met the cut-off of 50 and were screened as positive for anxiety, respectively, in the two investigations. The mean SAS scores in the second test was significantly higher than those in the first test (P < 0.05). Significant differences were also found among all males, females, and students majoring in arts and sciences between the two studies (P < 0.05). The results also showed students from Hubei province, where most cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, had a higher percentage of participants meeting the cut-off of being anxious. This article applied machine learning to establish XGBoost models to successfully predict the anxiety level and changes of anxiety levels 4 weeks later based on the SAS scores of the students in the first test. It was concluded that, during COVID-19, Chinese non-graduating undergraduate students showed higher anxiety in the new semester based on online learning than before the new semester started. More students from Hubei province had a different level of anxiety than other provinces. Families, universities, and society as a whole should pay attention to the psychological health of non-graduating undergraduate students and take measures accordingly. It also confirmed that the XGBoost model had better prediction accuracy compared to the traditional multiple stepwise regression model on the anxiety status of university students.

Anxiety Status and Influencing Factors of Rural Residents in Hunan During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Epidemic: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey.

Objective: To explore the status quo of anxiety and its influencing factors among rural residents in Hunan Province during the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic, and to provide an effective basis for prevention of and intervention for anxiety symptoms among rural residents.Methods: Convenience sampling was used. An online questionnaire was distributed to Hunan rural residents through the questionnaire star platform from February 26–29, 2020. The general data and anxiety of Hunan rural residents were investigated, and the data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0.Results: The mean Self-Rating Anxiety Scale score of 179 rural residents in Hunan was 40.93 ± 9.36. Based on the cutoff criteria, 32 residents had anxiety, including 26 with mild anxiety, five with moderate anxiety, and one with severe anxiety. The detection rate of anxiety was 17.88%. Self-rated health status, level of concern about the epidemic, and self-rated impact of the epidemic on one's life were the factors influencing the anxiety score of rural residents in Hunan (P < 0.05).Conclusion: During the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic, the detection rate of anxiety in rural residents in Hunan was higher than that of the general population in China. The relevant departments should pay attention to the mental health of rural residents and implement targeted mental health prevention and intervention measures during the epidemic situation.

Positive effect of care bundles on patients with central venous catheter insertions at a tertiary hospital in Beijing, China.

ObjectiveThis study was performed to evaluate the effect of care bundles on the prevention of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) and improvement of patients’ experience.MethodsIn total, 212 patients with central venous catheter insertions were enrolled in this study. All patients were matched by sex, age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, body mass index, department, and catheter insertion site and were randomly divided into case and control groups (n = 106 each). The control group was given conventional care, and the case group was given care bundles including nurse education, hand hygiene, maximal sterile barrier precautions, bedside observation, and evaluation. The anxiety scores, hospitalization days, CRBSI rate, and degree of satisfaction with hospitalization were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe patients’ mean self-rating anxiety scale score and self-rating depression scale score after nursing intervention were significantly lower in the case group than in the control group. The mean number of hospitalization days and CRBSI rate were significantly lower and the satisfaction rate was significantly higher in the case group.ConclusionCare bundles are essential for preventing CRBSI. They can improve patients’ psychological state and hospitalization satisfaction and reduce the hospitalization days.

The short-term efficacy and psycological influence of elastic silicon punctal plugs on severe dry eye patients

Objective: To evaluate the short-term efficacy and psycological influence of elastic silicon punctal plugs on severe dry eye patients. Methods: Prospective case series study. Twenty-eight severe dry eye patients (56 eyes) treated with elastic silicon punctal plugs (Snug Plugs(TM), FCI Ophthalmics, France) during January to September 2017 at the ophthalmology department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were included. All the examination results were collected at baseline and 3 months after insertion. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), silt lamp examination, conjunctiva grading (CG), lower tear meniscus height (TMS), tear break-up time (BUT), Schirmer Ⅰ test (SⅠt, without anesthesia), corneal fluoresce staining (FS) were recorded to evaluate the efficacy of the plugs. Meanwhile, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Center for Epidemiological Survey-Depression Scale (CES-D) were collected to assess the changes of patients' symptoms and psychological status. Results: At baseline and 3 months after punctal plugs insertion, mean OSDI score was 65.77±21.28 and 42.85±20.08; mean UCVA was 0.10 (0.30) and 0.06 (0.27), mean TMS was (0.17±0.09) and (0.35±0.17) mm;mean CG score was 2.96±1.13 and 1.57±0.99; mean BUT was (3.23±2.62) and (5.09±3.36) s;mean FS score was 7.32±4.46 and 5.15±4.02; mesn SⅠt was (4.09±3.48) and (8.15±5.96) mm; mean SAS score was 46.70±9.73 and 40.59±8.98, respectively. All the above differences between results of baseline and 3 months after insertion were of statistical significance (t=6.11, -6.31, 8.91, -8.97, -3.83, 5.06, -6.14, 3.04, P<0.01). The mean CES-D score at baseline was 21.25±10.82, which was statistically different from the result of 15.00±10.53 at 3 months after insertion (t=2.38, P<0.05). The number and the severity of patients with anxiety or depression were reduced after insertion. OSDI score was negatively correlated with UCVA, TMH and SⅠt (r=-0.42, -0.61, -0.31, P<0.05), and was positively correlated with FS, SAS and CES-D score (r=0.36, 0.31, 0.28, P<0.05). The main complication identified during this study was spontaneous loss of the punctal plugs (3 eyes, 8.82%). Conclusions: Short term elastic silicon punctal plugs are effective for treating moderate to severe dry eye, and such treatment can partly alleviate the anxiety and depression of the patients. Still, more attentions to the psychological status of dry eye patients should be paid. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 437-444).

Anxiety and depression in paradoxical insomnia: a case-control study.

PurposeTo compare anxiety and depression among patients with paradoxical insomnia (Para-I), patients with psychophysiological insomnia (Psy-I), and normal sleepers (NS).Patients and methodsA cross-sectional case–control study was conducted in patients with Para-I (n=63), patients with Psy-I (n=63), and NS (n=63) from southwest China. The three groups were matched for age (mean age: 42.0±10.30 years), gender (per group: male =22; female =41), educational level, and nature of occupation. Anxiety and depression were evaluated using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale and compared among the groups.ResultsConcerning anxiety, patients with Para-I had a significantly higher mean Self-Rating Anxiety Scale score (P<0.05) and significantly higher incidence of anxiety compared to NS (P<0.0167). There were no significant differences between the two insomnia groups on anxiety measures. Concerning depression, patients with Para-I had a significantly higher mean Self-Rating Depression Scale score than patients with Psy-I and NS (both, P<0.05), as well as a significantly higher incidence of moderate to severe depression than in the Psy-I group and NS (both, P<0.0167).ConclusionBoth Psy-I and Para-I patients had significantly higher anxiety and depression than NS. Compared to Psy-I, Para-I patients had slightly (but not significantly) lower anxiety and significantly higher depression.

Transsexual patients’ psychiatric comorbidity and positive effect of cross-sex hormonal treatment on mental health: Results from a longitudinal study

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of psychiatric diseases/symptoms in transsexual patients and to compare psychiatric distress related to the hormonal intervention in a one year follow-up assessment. We investigated 118 patients before starting the hormonal therapy and after about 12 months. We used the SCID-I to determine major mental disorders and functional impairment. We used the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) for evaluating self-reported anxiety and depression. We used the Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL-90-R) for assessing self-reported global psychological symptoms. Seventeen patients (14%) had a DSM-IV-TR axis I psychiatric comorbidity. At enrollment the mean SAS score was above the normal range. The mean SDS and SCL-90-R scores were on the normal range except for SCL-90-R anxiety subscale. When treated, patients reported lower SAS, SDS and SCL-90-R scores, with statistically significant differences. Psychiatric distress and functional impairment were present in a significantly higher percentage of patients before starting the hormonal treatment than after 12 months (50% vs. 17% for anxiety; 42% vs. 23% for depression; 24% vs. 11% for psychological symptoms; 23% vs. 10% for functional impairment). The results revealed that the majority of transsexual patients have no psychiatric comorbidity, suggesting that transsexualism is not necessarily associated with severe comorbid psychiatric findings. The condition, however, seemed to be associated with subthreshold anxiety/depression, psychological symptoms and functional impairment. Moreover, treated patients reported less psychiatric distress. Therefore, hormonal treatment seemed to have a positive effect on transsexual patients' mental health.

Pre-operative education and counselling are associated with reduced anxiety symptoms following carotid endarterectomy: a randomized and open-label study

Post-operative anxiety is common and may have significant impact on the post-operative recovery of the patients. Theatre nurse visits before surgery has been shown to reduce patient's anxiety levels following general surgery. To investigate the effect of pre-operative visits and counselling by intensive care unit (ICU) nurses on patient's anxiety levels following carotid endarterectomy. This is an open-label and randomized clinical trial. Patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were divided into study (n=60) and control group (n=60). For the study group, in addition to routine pre-operational counselling by the surgeons, ICU nurses visited the patients and provided a structured counselling the day before surgery. For the control group, only routine pre-operative counselling was provided. Anxiety levels were assessed by Zung self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) the day before surgery and on the day after being discharged from ICU to the ward. The two groups were comparable in age, sex, surgical methods, and duration of ICU stays. Following the surgery, the mean SAS score in the control group increased from 50.5±5.4 to 58.5±7.3 (p=0.03), whereas the mean SAS score in the study group reduced from 51.5±4.3 to 45.1±6.5 (p=0.02). The proportion of patients with anxiety symptoms in the control group was higher than in the study group following the surgery (58.3% vs. 33.3%, p=0.001). Pre-operative visits and counselling by ICU nurses could reduce patient's anxiety levels following carotid endarterectomy.