Mental Changes Research Articles

Unhealthy Alcohol Use among Adults with Depression or Anxiety: Changes During COVID-19 and Associations with Mental Health Treatment.

Individuals with unhealthy alcohol use and comorbid depression or anxiety may be vulnerable to alcohol use escalation in times of stress such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Among a cohort of individuals with pre-pandemic unhealthy drinking, we compared changes in alcohol use by whether people had a depression or anxiety diagnosis, and examined whether mental health treatment was related to these changes. Using electronic health record data from Kaiser Permanente Northern California, we analyzed drinking changes during the pandemic (3/1/2020-6/30/2022) among adults identified in primary care with unhealthy alcohol use (exceeding daily/weekly recommended limits) pre-pandemic (1/1/2019-2/29/2020). Outcomes were mean changes in number of heavy drinking days (prior three months), drinks/week, drinks/day, and drinking days/week. Multivariable linear regression models were fit to: 1) compare outcomes of patients with depression or anxiety diagnoses to those without, and 2) among patients with depression or anxiety, estimate associations between mental health treatment and outcomes. The sample included 62,924 adults with unhealthy alcohol use, of whom 12,281 (19.5%) had depression or anxiety. On average, alcohol use significantly decreased across all measures during the pandemic, but patients with depression or anxiety had greater decreases in drinks/week (adjusted mean difference [aMD] [CI]=-0.34 [-0.55, -0.12]) and drinking days/week (-0.15 [-0.20, -0.10]). No associations were found between mental health treatment and changes in drinking. Contrary to expectations, patients with unhealthy alcohol use and depression or anxiety decreased alcohol use more than those without depression or anxiety during COVID-19, whether or not they accessed mental health services.

Factors associated with domestic violence in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic: Araraquara Cohort study.

This cross-sectional study, carried out from 2021 to 2022, investigated the factors associated with domestic violence in 400 Brazilian pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Violence was assessed with the World Health Organization's Violence Against Women questionnaire and the Abuse Assessment Screen. Demographic, socioeconomic, obstetric, lifestyle and mental health data were collected. Violence at any time in their lives was reported by 52.2% of the women, and psychological violence was the most prevalent type (19.5%). Violence was associated with being single and mental health changes. Pregnant women exposed to any lifetime violence and psychological violence were, respectively, 4.67 and 5.93 times more likely to show mental health changes compared with women with no reported violence. Training health professionals involved in prenatal care in the early detection of single women and women with mental health changes could be important in preventing domestic violence.

The Greek Executive State Model: A Paradigm for Better Legislation

Abstract This paper presents and critically assessed the implementation of the executive state model in Greek law-making, and identifies the elements of the model that are transferable elsewhere. The first four years of extensive legislative reforms in application of the executive state model have produced tangible innovations fertile to better law-making. But the real challenge, the change of legislative mentality, resists.

What Is It Like to Be in Alcohol Addiction Recovery? A Dialectical Phenomenological Analysis

Plain Language SummaryIn the mental health field, there is still no consensus on what it means to be in alcohol addiction recovery beyond controlling alcohol use, which challenges the development of treatments and policies aimed at promoting more than symptom remission. We believe part of this issue is due to the hegemony of strictly objective approaches that lack theoretical resources to grasp recovery experiences. Hence, we tried to contribute to recovery understanding by analyzing the recovery experiences of individuals with alcohol addiction. For this, we used the dialectical phenomenological psychopathology perspective as a theoretical lens, which consists of a study approach in psychopathology that investigates experiences of mental disorders and their typical ways of relating to the world. Through this perspective, we examined online interviews of 8 Brazilian, São Paulo state citizens, who were self-declared to be undergoing alcohol addiction recovery (or who declared that they had completely recovered). Their reports indicated that recovery was a process that featured changes in self-relation, changes in interpersonal relations, changes in time relation, and giving new meanings to alcohol use and suffering. Those transformations were also interpreted by participants’ worldviews of spiritual experience, moral reformation, and mentality change. In the discussion, we understood such changes as transformations in the way they experience an act in the world, which are developed by continued management of their own alcohol addiction vulnerabilities. Although we consider the results preliminary when it comes to conceptualizing recovery, we believe they may help future studies to develop therapeutic strategies committed to promoting patient recovery.

Vulnerable Baby Perception of Mothers with Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Relationship with Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and Bonding.

Aim: This study was performed with the aim of investigating the correlation between vulnerable baby perception with breastfeeding self-efficacy and bonding of mothers with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Material and Method: The sample for this descriptive and relational search study comprised mothers of 80 healthy infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Ordu University Education and Research Hospital for at least 3 days and at least 1 week past discharge. Collection of data used the Mother and Infant Descriptive Information Form, Vulnerable Baby Scale (VBS), Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES), and Mother-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS). Results: The VBS scores for employed mothers were significantly higher than those who were not employed, whereas the VBS scores for mothers with planned pregnancy were significantly higher than those with unplanned pregnancy (p < 0.05). According to the total number of pregnancies, the BSES scores were identified to be statistically significantly different (p < 0.05). The MIBS scores for mothers without mental change related to admission of the infant to NICU were significantly lower than those who were sad/scared (p = 0.015). There was a statistically insignificant correlation between VBS score and BSES score (p > 0.05). There was a positive and very weak statistically significant correlation between VBS score and MIBS score (p = 0.034). As VBS scores increase, MIBS scores increase (higher MIBS = lower bonding). In addition, the effect of VBS score on MIBS score was identified to be statistically significant (p = 0.042). Conclusion: The results of the study found a significant correlation between vulnerable baby perceptions of mothers and mother-infant bonding. As vulnerable baby perceptions increased, mother-infant bonding was identified to decrease. We speculate the breastfeeding self-efficacy and bonding levels of mothers with infants in the NICU should be assessed along with vulnerability perception levels, and necessary support should be provided to reduce vulnerability perceptions by informing mothers about the neonate's status.

Assessment of organizational factors affecting utilization of Monitoring and Evaluation results in delivering government programs: A case of Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), Uganda

The field of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&amp;E) is often restricted to the technical aspects of conducting M&amp;E. However, it is increasingly being acknowledged that organizational factors of entities are regularly more influential as far as mainstreaming the adoption and utilization of M&amp;E is concerned. This study sought to assess the organizational factors affecting utilization of M&amp;E results, specifically by analyzing how information availability, information processing skills and organizational culture affect utilization of M&amp;E results in MoES. The study methodology entailed grounded theory and quantitative research methods and covered a sample of 191 respondents. The study’s key findings, among others, include: M&amp;E information is often stored as manual paper records which subjects the information to wastage through poor handling and physical deterioration; and, poorly presented M&amp;E results have a negative effect on their utilization. The study generated a number of recommendations, which inter alia include MoES should: design and implement a mind–set change programme for all staff of the Ministry to embracing and utilize of M&amp;E results; design and implement regular capacity building and retooling programmes for all staff involved in the generation and utilization of M&amp;E results; and, migrate its M&amp;E records and management procedures from paper–based systems to digital systems. The study's conclusions inform various government MDAs about the relevance of using M&amp;E results for planning, budgeting, and policy making. The study findings will enable MoES appreciate the need for installation of appropriate information management systems necessary for improved uptake of M&amp;E results utilization. The study suggests a number of areas for further investigation, such as, examining the influence of political direction and choices on the application and usefulness of M&amp;E results in government organizations, and analyzing the impact of information dissemination on demand and utilization of M&amp;E results in Government agencies.

Effects of educational disruption and changes in school context on children's mental health: Associations with school level disadvantage and individual bullying involvement

AbstractNatural disasters happen across the world. The situations are different but the disruption to children's education and wellbeing is similar. This study focused on the school context changes caused by the COVID‐19 global disaster, and the impact of these changes on children's mental health. The aim was to better understand the associations between any mental health changes and children's school level of deprivation and pre‐disaster involvement in bullying. Cross‐sectional data were collected from 4316 children aged 6–11 years old, from 57 schools across England and Wales. Data were collected before the national lockdowns, early 2020, and 3–5 months after the final return to school, summer 2021, when schools were operating under a range of context restrictions. Child data included bullying involvement at school and health‐related quality of life; teacher data included reports of each child's internalising, externalising and prosocial behaviours. School‐level disadvantage was determined by the proportion of children in each school eligible to receive free school meals (an indicator of family disadvantage). The results showed that victims of bullying pre‐lockdown, and pupils from schools with a higher concentration of disadvantage, had significantly reduced externalising behaviours once back in the restricted school context. Victims had also increased their prosocial behaviours. It is possible that the restricted school context may have been a relief for the most vulnerable pupils. This study adds a new phase of understanding to the global disaster literature and the initial return to school when the environment is the same but the context has changed.

Attachment and negative affect on mental health and pain experience patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Mediated by coping strategies and loneliness

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis and its related stressors significantly affect the mental health of people with MS. Considering the progressive and relapsing-remitting nature of the disease and somatic complaint, the Pain experience for MS patients is challenging. We examined the direct effects of Attachment and the negative affect on mental health and pain experience and the indirect effects of Attachment, negative affect, loneliness, and coping strategies on the mental health and pain experience of people with multiple sclerosis. MethodsThree hundred forty-five patients with MS were selected through the Iranian MS Association. Measures included the negative affect (PANAS), Adult Attachment Inventory (AAI), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ28), short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-mpq-2), Social and emotional loneliness scale for adults (SELSA-S), Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations(CISS-21). The present study has employed the Structural Equation Model (SEM) to investigate the direct and indirect effects of coping strategies, attachment, loneliness, and negative affect on mental health and pain experienced by individuals with MS. The fit of the model to the data was examined using the Discrepancy Function Divided by Degrees of Freedom (CMIN/DF), Normed Fit Index (NFI), TuckerLewis Index (TLI), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). ResultsThe fit indices results showed that the model's fit was good. Furthermore, findings indicate that 13 % (R2=13) of the pain experience Changes and 47 % (R2=47) of the mental health Changes are explained via study predictors. Negative affect directly affects mental health and pain experience, and Attachment directly affects mental health. Negative affect indirectly affects coping strategies. Attachment and Negative affect indirectly affect loneliness. Loneliness and coping strategies indirectly affect mental health and pain experience. ConclusionStudy findings contribute to our understanding of the crucial structures that play a role in the mental health and pain experience of individuals with MS. Loneliness and coping strategies as mediating variables play essential roles in these people's mental health and pain experience. In the times ahead, it would be beneficial to prioritize addressing negative affect, attachment, coping strategies, and loneliness in the patients with MS' medical and psychological intervention.

Implementation of the Knowledge Management (KM) Model in Increasing Student Body in Private Universities

The Knowledge Management concept is a method that will be used in research and allows an organization to manage its knowledge as an asset. In order to improve organizational performance, especially in the field of Higher Education (PT) services, various efforts are needed to channel correct and appropriate knowledge to PT managers, so that the implementation of activities can run as expected. This research uses a descriptive research method that systematically describes the facts, objects and subjects studied accurately. Knowledge is one form of achieving PT excellence, if the value of the knowledge created can be implemented by the PT. The idea to implement a knowledge management (KM) system model is to carry out a real reaction in the optimization efforts of Private PTs in increasing the student body at Satya Negara Indonesia University (USNI), which in fact is experiencing a degradation of prospective students. So that the implementation of Knowledge Management can run as expected, USNI needs to apply the general characteristics of its academics to the KM model by (a) Providing knowledge; (b) Carrying out academic activities; (c) carry out the Tri Dharma of Higher Education; and (d) Development of academic culture. This research aims to provide knowledge information in the form of a knowledge management model that must be implemented and carried out by USNI through changing mindsets through general characteristics in the development of lecturers as USNI resources in an effort to gradually increase the student body which ultimately results in superior learning products and education.

Applying dynamic systems theory and complexity theory methods in psychotherapy research: A systematic literature review

Objective Dynamic systems theory and complexity theory (DST/CT) is a framework explaining how complex systems change and adapt over time. In psychotherapy, DST/CT can be used to understand how a person's mental and emotional state changes during therapy incorporating higher levels of complexity. This study aimed to systematically review the variability of DST/CT methods applied in psychotherapy research. Methods A primary studies search was conducted in the EBSCO and Web of Knowledge databases, extracting information about the analyzed DST/CT phenomena, employed mathematical methods to investigate these phenomena, descriptions of specified dynamic models, psychotherapy phenomena, and other information regarding studies with empirical data (e.g., measurement granularity). Results After screening 38,216 abstracts and 4,194 full texts, N = 41 studies published from 1990 to 2021 were identified. The employed methods typically included measures of dynamic complexity or chaoticity. Computational and simulation studies most often employed first-order ordinary differential equations and typically focused on describing the time evolution of client-therapist dyadic influences. Eligible studies with empirical data were usually based on case studies and focused on data with high time intensity of within-session dynamics. Conclusion This review provides a descriptive synthesis of the current state of the proliferation of DST/CT methods in the psychotherapy research field.

The role of cognitive disengagement syndrome in non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

We aimed to investigate the relationship between Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS) and non-suicidal self injury (NSSI) in adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A semi-structured psychiatric interview and an NSSI screening questionnaire were conducted. Questionnaires assessing CDS (with daydreamer, sleepy, and slow subdimensions), depression, anxiety, self-esteem, emotion regulation, coping strategies, and loneliness were administered. Among 104 participants (n: 63, 60.6% girls), the combined type of ADHD was the most common (66.3%), and 35 adolescents (27 girls) were in the NSSI+ group. Although only depression and ADHD were found to be predictors of NSSI in ADHD, CDS was associated with many risk factors of NSSI in ADHD: depression, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, low self-esteem, and emotion-oriented coping ways. After controlling for the effects of cognitive problems/inattentiveness, depression, and anxiety, CDS still correlated with low self-esteem and emotion dysregulation. The daydreamer and slow sub-dimensions of CSD differed between NSSI+ and NSSI- groups, while sleepy did not. CDS is associated with several relevant factors, indirectly relating it to self-harm in ADHD. CDS increases the vulnerability to mental health changes that could lead to NSSI in adolescence with ADHD.

Robust language-based mental health assessments in time and space through social media

In the most comprehensive population surveys, mental health is only broadly captured through questionnaires asking about “mentally unhealthy days” or feelings of “sadness.” Further, population mental health estimates are predominantly consolidated to yearly estimates at the state level, which is considerably coarser than the best estimates of physical health. Through the large-scale analysis of social media, robust estimation of population mental health is feasible at finer resolutions. In this study, we created a pipeline that used ~1 billion Tweets from 2 million geo-located users to estimate mental health levels and changes for depression and anxiety, the two leading mental health conditions. Language-based mental health assessments (LBMHAs) had substantially higher levels of reliability across space and time than available survey measures. This work presents reliable assessments of depression and anxiety down to the county-weeks level. Where surveys were available, we found moderate to strong associations between the LBMHAs and survey scores for multiple levels of granularity, from the national level down to weekly county measurements (fixed effects β = 0.34 to 1.82; p < 0.001). LBMHAs demonstrated temporal validity, showing clear absolute increases after a list of major societal events (+23% absolute change for depression assessments). LBMHAs showed improved external validity, evidenced by stronger correlations with measures of health and socioeconomic status than population surveys. This study shows that the careful aggregation of social media data yields spatiotemporal estimates of population mental health that exceed the granularity achievable by existing population surveys, and does so with generally greater reliability and validity.

Mental Health During COVID-19: An Evaluation of Academic Universities' Contribution to Existing Research.

Increases in mental health problems have been observed during COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this topic of research became a priority, especially at the academic level. The objectives of this review were to summarize academic contribution to mental health research during the era of COVID-19. A scoping review of studies conducted at different academic institutions and examining alterations in mental health during the pandemic during the last three years was conducted. Fifty-five studies were included. These focused on different mental health changes that occurred in the era of COVID-19 such as changes in work habits or existing psychological conditions, COVID-19-related fear depression, anxiety and stress. Most of the included studies were observational (76.7%). The majority of the publications were published in Scimago Journal Rank Q1 journals (57.1%). The average number of citations per publication was 15.3 ± 30.13 [0-125]. The number of citations was higher in papers with international collaboration of authors (p = 0.031). Publications with COVID-19 as a main objective were more cited than papers not directly related to this subject (25.9 ± 39.45 vs 4.14 ± 3.2; p = 0.044). Mental health problems are a common response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The contribution of academic universities to different mental health research studies that took place during COVID-19 outbreak have underlined this reality. However, more representative research from other institutional settings will be needed, particularly in vulnerable populations.

The effects of the expanded child tax credit on mental health of home renters and homeowners

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 expanded the Child Tax Credits (CTC) by increasing the maximum amount of credit, making the credit fully refundable, and providing advanced monthly credit payments from July to December 2021. We evaluated the impact of the expanded CTC in 2021 on mental health of home renters compared to homeowners within the income range eligible for maximum credit. The study included nationally representative data from the 2019–2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Outcomes were the number of days not in good mental health in the past 30 days, and an indicator for having 14 or more such days. The study employed regression models examining mental health changes of adults before and after the CTC expansion by number of children (which determines the overall CTC payment). We find that the CTC expansion was associated with improved mental health among renters. A $100 monthly CTC payment was associated with 0.096 fewer days not in good mental health among renters in the past 30, with associations concentrated in the last quarter of 2021. There was little evidence of associations of CTC payments with mental health among homeowners. The findings suggest that cash support programs such as the CTC are associated with improved mental health of adults in low-income renting households.

How do mindfulness-based interventions promote coping and self-efficacy in patients with cancer: A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative data.

The purpose of this study was to review the existing quantitative and qualitative evidence regarding how mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) help cope with cancer-related challenges and increase affected patients' perceived self-efficacy. A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, PsycInfo, PubPsych, and CINAHL. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies were included if they (1) evaluated MBIs (2) for patients with cancer or cancer survivors (3) regarding their impact on coping with cancer and perceived self-efficacy. The reports were screened by two independent reviewers and conflicts were resolvedby a third reviewer. The review was pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022368765). Findings from 28 reports of 19 quantitative studies, six qualitative studies, and three mixed-methods studies (total N=1722) were extracted and integrated. The synthesis of quantitative data showed considerable heterogeneity in outcomes and measurement instruments. Most often reported were significant positive impacts of mindfulness on general coping skills, self-regulation, and perceived efficacy in coping with cancer. Qualitative interviews with patients supported those results. The three meta-themes identified were that MBI (1) provided patients with tools to use in stressful situations, (2) promoted a general change of mindset and (3) created a feeling of social connectedness. The reviewed studies suggest that MBI can promote coping and enhance the perceived self-efficacy of patients with cancer. In the future, more research investigating the different aspects of coping and the potentially moderating role of self-efficacy could provide further insights with respect to how coping and self-efficacy related to MBI.

Aging with and into disability: An introductory review with clarification of basic terms

Aging involves the progression of becoming older, encompassing physical, mental, and social changes that take place in individuals over time. The longer lifespan and decreasing fertility rates have brought attention to the difficulties experienced by elderly people with disabilities. A survey method was used to collect titles of articles from different electronic databases, both online and offline, in national and international journals, as well as chapters or full-length books in the fields of gerontology and disability studies. The resulting list of 95 entries up to March 2024 was examined using the SANRA guidelines (Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles: Baethge, Goldbeck-Wood, &amp; Mertens, 2019), aided by a flow chart and harvest plot to visually present the findings. The main focus was on clarifying fundamental terms related to aging with and into disability, successful aging, atypical aging, psychological aging, premature aging, and others. This type of clarification, which is not yet available from a single source, is considered necessary for aspiring researchers in this field to choose specific topics or themes for further study. The findings provide valuable insights for future considerations and opportunities for additional research.

When digitalization hit the court: Strategizing to turn turbulence into opportunities

Abstract During Covid-19, the pace of digitalization in industry and society increased. This article zooms in on the court system in Sweden and its response to this rapidly changing context. During the pandemic, the courts had encountered new expectations, and digital technologies had been implemented at speed. Suddenly online trials and digital delivery of court services became a reality. When the pandemic eased questions arose whether to return to business-as-usual or to continue on the new digital path. This article builds on a series of strategic workshops performed at the Swedish courts 2020–23 (with a total of 200 professionals attending). We found that digitalization had affected core work processes as well as the mindset and culture for further change. However, strategic alignment of different organizational components to fit the new reality is still needed in order for the courts to keep, and develop, the largest gains from digitalization: flexibility, efficiency, and accessibility.

Harmonious entrepreneurship: a sustainable model for addressing global inequality

Purpose This study aims to develop an entrepreneurial business model capable of addressing and preventing the exploitation and inequality that traditionally have resulted from entrepreneurship, particularly in emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach The research uses systems thinking, the first law of cybernetics, and the principles of harmony to formulate a systemic solution to the problem, which it exemplifies via six purposefully selected short cases drawn from diverse industry sectors and economies. Findings This paper demonstrates how the conventional model of entrepreneurship, often associated with colonial exploitation and resultant inequalities, can be transformed into a triple bottom line model—harmonious entrepreneurship – that integrates the traditional economic, eco-, humane, and social approaches and creates a synergy where profit, planet, and people are in harmony. The model challenges the profit maximisation/shareholder value doctrine of business success. Research limitations/implications Only six cases are presented here, and there is a need for further research in different political-economic contexts and industry sectors. Also, the way entrepreneurship is taught needs to change so that it addresses the sustainability challenge in general and the problem of inequality in particular. Practical implications There needs to be a change in the entrepreneurial mindset and the way entrepreneurship is taught and potential entrepreneurs are trained if entrepreneurship is to address the sustainability challenge in general and the problem of inequality in particular. Originality/value This is a novel approach to the study of entrepreneurship and its impact on inequality that shows how it can ameliorate and/or prevent inequality, particularly in emerging economies, by adopting a more holistic approach to business success and supplanting “having and needing” with “being and caring”.

Socially excluded young adult Israeli women's social activism: A new approach to promoting well-being.

The present study explored the developmental trajectories and increased well-being of socially excluded young Israeli adult women participating in civic engagement peer groups. Twenty-one women participated in a qualitative longitudinal study design comprising 50 in-depth semistructured interviews at four assessment times. The interoperative phenomenological analysis approach revealed three main themes demonstrating a shift from survival to thriving. The first theme, "group connectedness," describes participants' positive feelings from participating in the group. The second theme, "exploring and practicing civic engagement," covers the gains in women's civic engagement abilities and definitions. The third theme, "From flaws to sparks," describes women's changes in mindset and their growing ability for reflection and making plans. The findings are discussed through the lens of the social justice paradigm to suggest a developmental model which sees developmental well-being as a human right. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Cross-sectional study: mindset towards Coronavirus in developing countries and lessons learned: the case of Sudan.

People's mindset towards COVID-19 in developing countries has an impact on how they perceive and react to the preventative measures taken by the governments to contain the virus. Understanding the factors influencing the mindset and identifying lessons learned amidst COVID-19 are critical to inform any future intervention strategy. This was a cross-sectional, community-based study conducted to assess the mindset changes and lessons learned post-COVID-19 in developing countries, focusing on Sudan. The study adopted a sequential mixed approach (SMA), combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The study used a structured questionnaire with 300 respondents and in-depth interviews with two experts. To identify the factors influencing the mindset of the people towards COVID-19, the study employed logistic regression. The data was analyzed using SPSS software. Of the total (N = 300) respondents, 59.0% are female, 59.3% are between the ages of 20 and 39, 79.7% have a university education, 25.3% have the Coronavirus, and 42.3% has their family or relative contracted the virus. Further, only 22.7% had taken the vaccine. Reasons for vaccine hesitancy include lack of trust (29.5%), fear of side effects (24.1%), and absence of the need to travel outside the country (25.5%). When the virus first appeared, 77.3% thought it posed a health risk, while 22.7% perceived it as a hoax or conspiracy. After 3 years, 73% still regarded it as a health threat, while 27% believed it was a hoax or conspiracy. The mindset was found to be influenced by age, history of the disease, the extent of trust in foreign media coverage, and the belief in the effectiveness of the vaccination. Assessing the mindset towards the virus and identifying the lessons learned from the pandemic could be of vital importance to control the spread of the virus in developing countries. Making use of such lessons and influencing the mindset of the people towards positive attitudes and behaviours are required to enhance the effectiveness of the health precaution measures adopted. Further research is required on the public's mistrust of foreign media coverage and the contribution of local media to educate the public about the virus, particularly among the elderly.