Mental Health Impact Of COVID-19 Research Articles

SHEA position statement on pandemic preparedness for policymakers: building a strong and resilient healthcare workforce.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many areas in the United States experienced healthcare personnel (HCP) shortages tied to a variety of factors. Infection prevention programs, in particular, faced increasing workload demands with little opportunity to delegate tasks to others without specific infectious diseases or infection control expertise. Shortages of clinicians providing inpatient care to critically ill patients during the early phase of the pandemic were multifactorial, largely attributed to increasing demands on hospitals to provide care to patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and furloughs.1 HCP shortages and challenges during later surges, including the Omicron variant-associated surges, were largely attributed to HCP infections and associated work restrictions during isolation periods and the need to care for family members, particularly children, with COVID-19. Additionally, the detrimental physical and mental health impact of COVID-19 on HCP has led to attrition, which further exacerbates shortages.2 Demands increased in post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) settings, which already faced critical staffing challenges difficulty with recruitment, and high rates of turnover. Although individual healthcare organizations and state and federal governments have taken actions to mitigate recurring shortages, additional work and innovation are needed to develop longer-term solutions to improve healthcare workforce resiliency. The critical role of those with specialized training in infection prevention, including healthcare epidemiologists, was well-demonstrated in pandemic preparedness and response. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need to support growth in these fields.3 This commentary outlines the need to develop the US healthcare workforce in preparation for future pandemics.

The psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic among healthcare workers at the grassroots level in Vietnam

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs). Therefore, an immediate priority is to monitor rates of mental health issues to understand related factors and inform interventions. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychological and mental health impact of COVID-19 and some related factors among HCWs at the grassroots level in Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 675 HCWs working at health facilities through questionnaires. The finding showed the rate of HCWs who were psychologically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic was 37.2%, of which 64.1% of HCWs were afraid to tell their families about the risk of exposure to COVID-19 at work. The 31.0% of HCWs had difficulty sleeping deeply/insomnia due to the COVID-19 epidemic. No statistically significant differences were found in the psychological impact of COVID-19 between HCW groups by age, gender, seniority, and professional qualifications. Some groups of HCWs were found to have poor psychological health. Our research suggests that during the COVID-19 pandemic, HCWs working in healthcare facilities experienced an increased psychological burden; psychological interventions for those at high risk and with common mental disorders should be included to reduce this burden and protect HCWs' mental health.

Experiences of Burnout among Staff Nurses of Private Hospitals in Surigao City

This descriptive quantitative study is primarily concerned with the level of burnout among nurses working in private hospitals in Surigao City. The following research tools were used in the actual collection of data which includes, the respondent’s Personal Data Sheet and an adapted survey questionnaire namely, the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OBI). These instruments shall be used to gather both respondents’ demographic profiles and determinants of the mental health impact of COVID-19. The respondents of this study were the staff nurses in four (4) private hospitals in Surigao City who are involved in rendering care to patients exposed to COVID-19. The snowball sampling method was utilized in determining the sample size in consideration of the researchers’ and respondents’ limited mobility in the said hospital due to the guidelines, new normal health protocols, and difficulty in identifying and meeting with the schedules of the respondents. Burnout has been described as a dangerous condition resulting from overwork and chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It can lead to physical or mental illness. To effectively play their role during this pandemic, it is essential for them to maintain psychological and mental health; however, the literature has shown that the emergence of COVID–19 has significantly impacted the psychological and mental well-being of our Filipino medical workers. Vast amounts of evidence have shown a significant association between the COVID–19 outbreak and adverse mental health issues such as stress or burnout, depression, insomnia, and anxiety. With the limited actions implemented in response to the studies on the health impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers, there is a need for immediate attention to formulating actions or interventions that will halt the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially on the mental health of healthcare workers.

Financial strain, health behaviors, and psychological well-being of family caregivers of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectivesThis study aims to examine the change in financial strain, health behaviors, and psychological well-being of family caregivers of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the differences in mental health outcomes by gender, race, and relationship status. MethodsUsing the 2020 National Health and Aging Trends Study COVID-19 supplement, our sample included 2026 family caregivers of older adults. Structural equation modeling was conducted. ResultsCaregivers with financial strain showed worse mental health than those with no financial strain. Female or adult children caregivers reported significantly less time walking, more financial strain, and a higher level of negative mental health outcomes compared to male or spouse caregivers; non-White caregivers reported greater positive mental health outcomes compared to White caregivers during the pandemic. DiscussionHealth professionals should consider the financial and mental health impact of COVID-19 among family caregivers when designing and delivering caregiver support programs. InnovationThis study provides nationally representative estimates of several important health behaviors and health outcomes for caregivers of older adults during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to fill the knowledge gap about the characteristics of caregivers whose health and well-being were most affected by the pandemic.

The mental health toll among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malawi

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of healthcare workers worldwide, with frontline personnel experiencing heightened rates of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. This mixed-methods study aimed to assess the mental health toll of COVID-19 on healthcare workers in Malawi. A cross-sectional survey utilising the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) was conducted among 109 frontline healthcare workers. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 healthcare workers to explore their experiences and challenges during the pandemic. The results indicated a high prevalence of COVID-19-related depression (31%; CI [23, 41]), anxiety (30%; CI [22, 40]), and PTSD (25%; CI [17, 34]) among participants. Regression analysis revealed significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD among healthcare workers in city referral hospitals compared to district hospitals. Qualitative findings highlighted the emotional distress, impact on work and personal life, and experiences of stigma and discrimination faced by healthcare workers. The stress process model provided a valuable framework for understanding the relationship among pandemic-related stressors, coping resources, and mental health outcomes. The findings underscore the urgent need for interventions and support systems to mitigate the mental health impact of COVID-19 on frontline healthcare workers in Malawi. Policymakers should prioritise the assessment and treatment of mental health problems among this critical workforce to maintain an effective pandemic response and build resilience for future crises.

The emergence of new obsessions and compulsions after COVID-19: a case report

IntroductionThe coronavirus pandemic has affected mental health since its outbreak in 2019 and several studies have revealed that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients were adversely affected.ObjectivesThe aim of our present report is to study the impact of the coronavirus infection on OCD.MethodsWe illustrate a case of new emerging obsessions and compulsions after a COVID-19 infection in a patient consulting at the Psychiatry C department of the Hedi Chaker University Hospital.ResultsMr. HB first presented in our outpatient unit of the Psychiatry C department at the age of 32. His medical history was unremarkable except for a COVID-19 infection in June 2022 that did not cause any organic complications. His family history was negative without neurological and psychiatric diseases. Further history revealed that OCD symptoms already started before his infection with COVID-19. At that time, he suffered from compulsions with the urge to constantly wash his hands and check rituals, but his symptoms were not severe enough to make him seek a psychiatric consult or treatment. However, since July 2022, soon after his infection with COVID-19, he suffered from new obsessions and compulsions, he would spend hours calculating all the numbers he sees and counting the number of letters in the words he came across. Non-surprisingly, OCD symptoms caused relevant problems in social life, and at work, he had difficulties concentrating and working. Due to his symptoms, he had neglected hobbies, avoided social contact, spent less time with his family, and even had suicidal thoughts. Therefore, pharmacotherapy with clomipramine was initiated with a maximal dose of 150 mg/d. Because of adverse events and lack of efficacy, he stopped medication and decided to consult our department to seek a different treatment. Therefore, sertraline was started at the dose of 50 mg/d along with psychotherapy.ConclusionsPeople with OCD are likely to be more susceptible to the mental health impact of COVID-19. Responses to the pandemic are not only associated with an increase in all Obsessive-Compulsive (OC) symptoms and their severity but also the emergence of new types of obsessions and compulsions. Consequently, therapists should consider the effects of the pandemic on all OC symptom dimensions and adjust their treatment plans accordingly.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Improving Women’s Mental Health during a Pandemic

This paper evaluates a randomized, over-the-phone counseling intervention aimed at mitigating the mental health impact of COVID-19 on a sample of 2,402 women across 357 villages in Bangladesh. We find that the provision of two hours of mental support plus information on COVID-19 improves mental health ten months postintervention, leading to reductions of 20 percent in the prevalence of moderate and severe stress and 33 percent in depression. Our results suggest that this type of low-cost intervention ($14 per person) can be effective in providing rapid psychological support to vulnerable groups in times of crises. (JEL I12, I18, I31, J16, O12, O15)

The mental health impact of COVID-19: the need for community interventions and collaboration for recovery

The mental health impact of COVID-19: the need for community interventions and collaboration for recovery

A cross-sectional study of the psychosocial and occupational impact of COVID-19 among NHS staff: findings from a Northwest London cohort during the second wave

Background: Evidence of the deleterious mental health impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers shows the priority need to support their psychological wellbeing. We assessed the nature, prevalence and factors associated with the psychosocial and occupational impact of COVID-19 among NHS staff during the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was sent to all NHS provider organisations in Northwest London in January 2021. Results: Of 1,065 participants completing the survey, 906 (85%) provided responses to the full survey. Over half (54.1%; n=543) exceeded the cut-off score for probable mental disorders, 31.1% (n=222) for probable burnout, and similarly for PTSD (28.5%; n=210). 28.6% (n=214) had experienced suicidal thoughts. 58% (n=429) scored >5 out of 10 for emotional and physical exhaustion. Over 30% (n=328) of respondents reported using some kind of staff support service. Staff in pay bands 4-6 were more likely to have common mental disorders (CMD) (OR 2.42 [1.20,4.88]) and PTSD symptoms (OR 4.18 [1.44,12.14]) than lower banded staff. Staff working in acute care settings were more likely to experience CMD (OR 1.50 [1.08,2.07]) and PTSD (OR 1.57 [1.03,2.41]) than in non-acute settings. Low social connectedness and perceived delivery of poor-quality care were highly associated with risk of all mental health problems, apart from alcohol misuse (OR range 1.56-18.34). Conclusions: Psychosocial morbidity and adverse occupational impacts on NHS staff in the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic echoed that reported in the first wave. Social connection and perception of delivering good care were important, potentially modifiable, mitigating factors.

Examining Family Communication and the Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Undergraduate Students in Kosovo

ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine the relationship between family communication and the psychological impact of COVID-19 on university students in Kosovo. A total of 765 university students across Kosovo responded to an online survey assessing anxiety, family communication, and mental health impact of COVID-19 through the GAD-7 questionnaire, FACES-IV, and self-rated mental health, respectively. Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and regression analyses were conducted. Anxiety was reported by 41.3% of the students, and every fourth student had a perception of poor mental health (25%). Students who reported the most severe levels of anxiety also reported the lowest levels of family communication; severity of anxiety increased with a decrease in family communication. The COVID-19 infection seem to have impacted family communication; however, more in-depth studies, including cultural context factors, are needed to thoroughly examine changes in family communication dynamics and the impact of relevant factors on student’s mental health.

Contributions of Trauma and Economic Insecurity to Psychological Distress in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Racially minoritized women with limited socioeconomic resources are at increased risk for adverse psychological outcomes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Disproportionate rates of trauma exposure and economic insecurity likely heighten risk for these outcomes among socioeconomically vulnerable individuals, but the unique contributions of these factors are poorly understood. As such, we examined trauma and economic factors as predictors of pandemic-related psychological distress and symptoms. Ninety-six women recruited for a trauma research study (91.7% Black, Mage=38.3 years, SDage=11.8 years) completed measures of trauma exposure, economic insecurity, and several items assessing psychological distress and symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined concern for mental and physical health impacts of COVID-19 as well as changes in self-reported levels of anxiety and anhedonia from the three months prior to the pandemic to the past two weeks. Linear regression analyses were used to assess contributions of trauma exposure and economic insecurity to COVID-19-related distress. Childhood maltreatment and lifetime trauma exposure did not predict COVID-19-related distress; however, financial concern significantly contributed to concern for the physical health impact of COVID-19 (B = .30, p < .05). Food insecurity emerged as the only significant predictor of concern for mental health impact of COVID-19 (B=.91, p < .01). Housing instability was the only significant predictor of COVID-19-related increases in anhedonia (B = -.30, p < .05). Economic insecurity, namely self-reported financial concern, food insecurity, and housing instability, was related to COVID-19-related psychological distress in a sample of predominately Black American women living in under-resourced communities. Findings may help identify populations at risk for COVID-19-related psychological distress and symptoms and develop effective interventions, such as expanding access to nutritious food sources and housing support, for minoritized community members.

Coping with the mental health impact of COVID-19: A study protocol for a multinational longitudinal study on coping and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mental health is challenged due to serious life events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and can differ by the level of resilience. National studies on mental health and resilience of individuals and communities during the pandemic provide heterogeneous results and more data on mental health outcomes and resilience trajectories are needed to better understand the impact of the pandemic on mental health in Europe. COPERS (Coping with COVID-19 with Resilience Study) is an observational multinational longitudinal study conducted in eight European countries (Albania, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia). Recruitment of participants is based on convenience sampling and data are gathered through an online questionnaire. gathering data on depression, anxiety, stress-related symptoms suicidal ideation and resilience. Resilience is measured with the Brief Resilience Scale and with the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Depression is measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire, Anxiety with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and stress-related symptoms with the Impact of Event Scale Revised- Suicidal ideation is assessed using item 9 of the PHQ-9. We also consider potential determinants and moderating factors for mental health conditions, including sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender), social environmental factors (e.g., loneliness, social capital) and coping strategies (e.g., Self-efficacy Belief). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to multi-nationally and longitudinally determine mental health outcomes and resilience trajectories in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study will help to determine mental health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic across Europe. The findings may benefit pandemic preparedness planning and future evidence-based mental health policies.

Recalling Self-efficacious Memories Reduces COVID-19-Related Fear.

Manipulating perceived self-efficacy can mitigate the negative impact of trauma and increase ability to adapt to stress. It is possible that a similar domain-based manipulation aimed at anxiety around the pandemic might mitigate the negative mental health impact of COVID-19. The current experimental study assessed whether a self-efficacy induction would be effective in reducing COVID-19 distress. Participants were randomized to a self-efficacy autobiographical memory induction or control condition. We hypothesized that individuals in the self-efficacy group would exhibit lower levels of fear on an implicit measure of emotional states following exposure to COVID-19-related stimuli. A significant increase in general self-efficacy and self-confidence was found in the self-efficacy group from pre- to post-induction. Individuals in the self-efficacy group had significantly lower levels of fear counts on the implicit measure of emotional states than the control group following exposure to COVID-19-related stimuli. Results suggest that (1) self-efficacy can be increased among individuals with high levels of COVID-19-related distress using an autobiographical memory induction and (2) doing so reduces fear processing among these individuals when exposed to COVID-19 stimuli. This is relevant for future intervention as it reveals a possible mechanism for reducing and recovering from COVID-19-related distress. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10608-023-10377-6.

Mental health experiences and coping strategies of BAME care workers who worked in nursing and residential care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Luton, England

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic intensified the risk factors for poor mental health among care workers in the UK. However, there is inadequate evidence on the mental health impact of COVID-19 on Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) care workers in particular. This study seeks to explore mental health experiences and coping strategies of BAME care workers who worked in nursing and residential care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodThis is a qualitative study conducted between February and May, 2021 in Luton, England. A sample of n = 15 care workers from BAME background working in nursing and residential care homes were recruited purposively using the snowball sampling technique. In-depth interviews were conducted around topics such as views on COVID-19, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the interviews was analysed using the Framework Analysis Approach.ResultsThe COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the participants’ mental health as they experienced stress, depression, anxiety, trauma and paranoia. The majority of the participants explained that they managed their mental health by belief in God and religious practices, by keeping themselves busy doing activities they were passionate about, following government guidelines on the prevention of COVID-19, seeing the service users happy and some participants managed through support that was offered by the government. However, some participants did not have any support for their mental health.ConclusionIssues such as increased workload associated with COVID-19 restrictions engendered mental health problems among BAME care workers, however, the workload only further increased during the pandemic, but the health and social care sector was already affected by heavy workload due to staff shortages and this needs to be addressed through increasing their wages to encourage more people to work in the health and social care sector. In addition, some BAME care workers never received any support for their mental health during the pandemic. Hence, integrating mental health services such as counselling, supportive psychotherapy and recreational therapies in care homes could help to support the mental health of care workers in the COVID-19 era.

Changes in Mental Health Symptoms as a Predictor of Cannabis Coping Motives and Consequences: Examining the Impact of COVID-19 Among College Students.

Cannabis use is common among college students and many students use cannabis to cope with negative affect. The COVID-19 pandemic was a particularly stressful time for college students. Subsequently, the present study compared college students who reported increases in anxiety/depression symptoms since COVID-19 stay at home orders to those who reported no change in anxiety/depression symptoms on cannabis coping motives, use frequency, and negative consequences. Specifically, we examined whether self-reported changes (i.e., group that indicated increases) in poor mental health during COVID-19 were associated with problematic cannabis use via higher cannabis coping motives. College students (analytic n = 291) completed an online survey for research credit regarding their personal mental health, COVID-19 stressors, and cannabis use behaviors. Individuals who reported increased depressive symptoms (57.4% of the current sample) due to COVID-19 (as compared to individuals whose depressive symptoms remained the same) reported significantly higher cannabis coping motives (d = .79) as well as more cannabis consequences (d = .37). Further, students who reported increased (61.5% of the current sample) anxiety symptoms (as compared to those whose anxiety symptoms stayed the same) also reported significantly higher cannabis coping motives (d = .47). Moreover, we found that students who reported an increase in depressive/anxiety symptoms reported more cannabis consequences via higher endorsement of cannabis coping motives while controlling for gender, cannabis use frequency, and past-week anxiety/depressive symptoms. Providing resources for substance-free coping strategies to manage the mental health impact of COVID-19 may be extremely useful for this population.

Long-term mental health impact of COVID-19 on primary care health workers in northern Spain: Results from a two-phase longitudinal study.

COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of the general populations, and in particular of health professionals. Primary care personnel are at greater risk due to being highly exposed to the disease and working regularly in direct contact with patients suffering COVID-19. However, there is not sufficient evidence on the long-term psychological impact these professionals may suffer. We aimed to explore the long-term psychological impact of COVID-19 on primary care professionals. We applied a two-phase design; a self-reported psychopathology screening (PHQ-9, GAD-7, ISI and IES-R) in phase-1, and a specialized psychiatric evaluation (MINI, HDRS and STAI) in phase-2 to confirm phase-1 results. Evaluations were carried at the beginning of the pandemic (May-June 2020) (n=410) and one year later (n=339). Chi-square, ANOVA and logistic regression tests were used for statistical analyses. Primary care professionals presented high rates of depression, anxiety and psychological distress, measured by PHQ-9, GAD-7 and IES-R respectively during the pandemic. Depressive symptoms´ severity (PHQ-9: 7.5 vs 8.4, p=0.013) increased after one year of COVID-19 pandemic. After one year nearly 40% of subjects presented depression. Being women, having suffered COVID-19 or a relative with COVID-19, and being a front-line professional were risk factors for presenting depression and anxiety. Primary Care professionals in Cantabria present a poor mental health during COVID-19 pandemic, which has even worsened at long-term, presenting a greater psychopathology severity one year after. Thus, it is critical implementing prevention and early-treatment programs to help these essential professionals to cope with the pandemic.

Sleep Disorders in Post-COVID Syndrome: A Psychiatric or Neurological Problem?

The coronavirus pandemic that began in 2019 continues. COVID-19 adversely affects human health not only in the acute, but also in the long-term period of the disease: in a large percentage of cases, health is not fully restored after long periods, requires medical intervention, and is often difficult to correct. Researchers noted during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020 that about 10-20% of patients did not fully recover by three weeks from disease onset and the possible duration of the recovery period remains insufficiently clear, as do the reasons for differences in course during this period. Prolonged recovery after viral infection is not a feature exclusive to COVID-19, which does not facilitate the management of patients with post-COVID syndrome (PCS). The mental health impact of COVID-19 is significant, with at least 30% of recovered patients likely to have symptoms of anxiety and/or depression after the acute phase has passed. Since the onset of COVID-19, there has been an increase in sleep disorders by 42%, with every third COVID-19 survivor reporting sleep complaints. In PCS, this condition is referred to as coronasomnia. The success of therapy for this condition depends on identifying and correcting patients' mental disorders, as anxiety and depression are often accompanied by sleep disorders this results in a bidirectional interaction between mental disorders and sleep quality. This article presents data on the anti-anxiety drugs Noofen and Adaptol, which help to correct the manifestations of PCS with sleep disorders.

The mental health impact of COVID-19 on pre-registration nursing students in Australia: Findings from a national cross-sectional study.

The study aimed to measure and describe the mental health impact of COVID-19 on Australian pre-registration nursing students. The COVID -19 pandemic has had a swift and significant impact on nursing students across the globe. The pandemic was the catalyst for the closure of schools and universities across many countries. This necessary measure caused additional stressors for many students, including nursing students, leading to uncertainty and anxiety. There is limited evidence available to identify the mental health impact of COVID-19 on Australian pre-registration nursing students currently. A cross-sectional study was conducted across 12 Australian universities. Using an anonymous, online survey students provided demographic data and self-reported their stress, anxiety, resilience, coping strategies, mental health and exposure to COVID-19. Students' stress, anxiety, resilience, coping strategies and mental health were assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, the Brief Resilience Scale, the Brief Cope and the DASS-21. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted to investigate whether stress, anxiety, resilience and coping strategies explained variance in mental health impact. Ethical Approval was obtained from the University of New England Human Research Ethics Committee (No: HE20-188). All participating universities obtained reciprocal approval. Of the 516 students who completed the survey over half (n=300, 58.1%) reported mental health concerns and most students (n=469, 90.9%) reported being impacted by COVID-19. Close to half of students (n=255, 49.4%) reported signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. Mental health impact was influenced by students' year level and history of mental health issues, where a history of mental health and a higher year level were both associated with greater mental health impacts. Students experienced considerable disruption to their learning due to COVID-19 restrictions which exacerbated students' distress and anxiety. Students coped with COVID-19 through focusing on their problems and using strategies to regulate their emotions and adapt to stressors. The COVID-19 pandemic has considerably impacted pre-registration nursing students' mental health. Strategies to support nursing students manage their mental health are vital to assist them through the ongoing pandemic and safeguard the recruitment and retention of the future nursing workforce. This study adds an Australian understanding to the international evidence that indicates student nurses experienced a range of negative psychosocial outcomes during COVID-19. In this study, we found that students with a pre-existing mental health issue and final-year students were most affected. The changes to education in Australian universities related to COVID-19 has caused distress for many nursing students. Australian nursing academics/educators and health service staff need to take heed of these results as these students prepare for entry into the nursing workforce. The study was designed to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of undergraduate nursing students in Australia. Educators from several universities were involved in the design and conduct of the study. However, the study did not include input from the public or the intended participants.

Impact of COVID-19 on mental health of primary healthcare workers in Pakistan: lessons from a qualitative inquiry

ObjectivesThe existing literature regarding the mental health consequences of COVID-19 among healthcare workers revolves predominantly around specialised hospital settings, while neglecting primary healthcare workers (PHCW) who are the first point...

Examining the factor structure of the DSM-5 Level 1 cross-cutting symptom measure.

The DSM-5 Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure (DSM-XC) was developed by the American Psychiatric Association as a transdiagnostic mental health symptom survey. Despite its promise as a screening tool, few studies have assessed its latent dimensionality or provided guidance on interpreting responses. We examined the factor structure of the DSM-XC in a convenience sample of participants with varying degrees of psychopathology. Participants (n=3533) were enrolled in an online study on the mental health impact of COVID-19 (NCT04339790). We used a factor analytic framework with exploratory and confirmatory analyses to evaluate candidate factor solutions. Convergent validity analysis with concurrent study measures was also performed. Six-factor and bifactor candidate solutions both had good fit and full measurement invariance across age, sex, and enrollment date. The six-factor solution resulted in constructs labeled as: mood, worry, activation, somatic, thought, and substance use. A general psychopathology factor and two residual factors (mood and anxiety constructs) explained the variance of the bifactor solution. Our analysis supports that the DSM-XC is a multidimensional instrument spanning many mental health symptoms. We provide scoring solutions for two factor structures that capture broader constructs of psychopathology. Use of a convenience sample may limit generalizability of findings.