Negative Mental Health Consequences Research Articles

Women moving forward in pictures: using digital photographs to explore postpartum women’s physical activity experiences

ABSTRACT While much research sees physical activity as an intervention for the postpartum body, there is limited literature understanding how postpartum physical activity affects women’s mental health and physical well-being. Unpacking how physical activity affects postpartum women holistically is critical because of the negative physical and mental health consequences accompanying the postpartum period. Thus, the purpose of this study was to use digital photographs to explore women’s experiences engaging in physical activity during the first-year postpartum. Auto-photography was used as it allowed postpartum women to share a photograph illustrating their physical activity experiences. This method allowed for comprehension regarding how participants believed physical activity impacted their mental health and physical well-being. Fifty women (M age = 31.82 years; M age of infant = 6.22 months) submitted a photo with a short text description explaining the photo context and what it represented. A reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the photos through a critical feminist lens. Study findings were organised into three themes. First, postpartum women engaging in physical activity experienced feelings of empowerment that helped heal the body and mind while reconnecting with their athletic identities. Second, doing so meant adapting their physical activity to motherhood or around motherhood. Third, postpartum women navigated many obstacles, including the COVID-19 pandemic, weather, and finding activewear that fit their changing bodies. Insights into these experiences may inform health promoters, healthcare professionals, recreation leaders, and women’s support networks to understand their needs when engaging in physical activity during the postpartum period.

A realist evaluation of the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of a digital music and movement intervention for older people living in care homes

BackgroundLow physical activity in care home residents brings about negative mental health consequences, such as higher levels of depression and loneliness. With advancements in communication technology, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the feasibility and effectiveness of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a digital Physical Activity (PA) resource in care homes deserve more research attention. A realist evaluation was used to uncover influencing factors of a feasibility study implementation to inform how a digital music and movement programme would work and under what circumstances this would be most effective.MethodsParticipants were 49 older adults (aged 65 years +) recruited across ten care homes in Scotland. Surveys were administered at baseline and post-intervention comprising psychometric questionnaires on multidimensional health markers validated in older adults with possible cognitive impairment. The intervention comprised 12 weeks of four prescribed digitally delivered movement (n = 3) and music-only (n = 1) sessions per week. An activity coordinator delivered these online resources in the care home. Post-intervention focus groups with staff and interviews with a sub-sample of participants were conducted to gain qualitative data on the acceptability of the intervention.ResultsThirty three care home residents started the intervention, but only 18 residents (84% female) completed both pre- and post-intervention assessments. Activity coordinators (AC) offered 57% of the prescribed sessions, with an average residents’ adherence of 60%. Delivery of the intervention did not go as planned due to Covid restrictions in care homes and delivery challenges, including (1) motivation and engagement, (2) changes in cognitive impairment and disabilities of the participants, (3) death or hospitalisation of the participants and (4) limited staffing and technology resources to deliver the programme as intended.Despite this, group participation and encouragement of residents supported the delivery and acceptance of the intervention, with ACs and residents reporting improved mood, physical health, job satisfaction and social support. Improvements with large effect sizes were found for anxiety, depression, loneliness, perceived stress and sleep satisfaction, but no changes in fear of falling, domains of general health or appetite.ConclusionThis realist evaluation suggested that this digitally delivered movement and music intervention is feasible. From the findings, the initial programme theory was refined for future implementation of an RCT in other care homes but future research exploring how to tailor the intervention to those with cognitive impairment and/or lacking capacity to consent is needed.Trial registrationRetrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05559203.

Examining the influence of substance use on mental health rating during COVID-19: A Canadian perspective.

Substance use and mental health symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety) have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, partly due to implementation of physical distancing measures aimed at containing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, there is limited pandemic-specific research that has examined the relationship between substance use and mental health with other correlates of well-being, including life satisfaction and social confidants. In the current study, we used ordered logistic regression analyses to examine whether a greater frequency of substance use (e.g., alcohol, cannabis, and opioids) during the pandemic predicted poorer ratings of self-reported mental health in a large sample of Canadians aged 15 to 64 years. We further considered whether life satisfaction and number of social confidants interacted with substance use to influence mental health, and stratified the models by sex and personal feelings of shame surrounding the use of substances (i.e., high and low shame). Findings indicated that frequency of substance use was significantly associated with increased odds of reporting poorer mental health for males and females exhibiting both low and high shame. In females reporting low shame, we found that as frequency of cannabis use increased, life satisfaction has a much greater positive association with mental health. Whereas, in females disclosing high shame, maintaining social relations was particularly important to benefit the mental health of current users of opioids, relative to past and non-users. No such interaction was found in males. Overall, the findings of the current study showed the negative mental health consequences of substance use during COVID-19 in a large Canadian sample, and most importantly revealed a critical sex difference in the way in which social determinants interact with substance use to influence mental health.

A GEOSPATIAL APPROACH ON EXAMINING THE INTERACTION BETWEEN SHIFTING WEATHER AND MENTAL HEALTH OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AT SPECIFIC SITES OF CHENNAI CITY

Objectives: Urbanization is one of the most important global developments of the 21st century, and it has a substantial impact on health. Because of immigration, urbanization may generate challenges such as stressful events, a poor social network, and excessive city growth. Along with these circumstances, shifting weather conditions can have a negative impact on mental health, making it a critical procedure that must not be underestimated. Methods: This study uses geospatial technology to access the relationship between shifting weather and the mental health of construction workers in different construction sites of Chennai city zones. The data sets used for this cross-sectional study will be temperature data for two different months, that is, the hottest month (June) and the rainy month (July) along with the mental health data. This data set used here helps to evaluate the difference in workers’ mental health in higher temperature month and low-temperature month. Results: The main finding shows that even minor fluctuations in the average temperature have resulted in a significant rise in mental distress and cases of severe heat-related illness. Based on the variation in temperature, the works have mentally changed the way of overviewing the works. The outcome explains that exposure to sun throughout working hours has increased mental distress. Conclusion: With regard to the result, we can conclude that higher temperatures are associated with an increase in mental illness including self-reported instances of poor mental health. Cold temperatures diminish negative mental health effects, whereas hot temperatures aggravate them. The findings imply that temperature has a considerably different effect on mental health than it does on physical health and that it has a relatively similar effect on other behavioral and psychological consequences.

Prevalence of insomnia and its association with quality of life among Macau residents shortly after the summer 2022 COVID-19 outbreak: A network analysis perspective.

The latest wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Macau began on 18 June 2022 and was more serious than previous waves. Ensuing disruption from the wave is likely to have had a variety of negative mental health consequences for Macau residents including increased risk for insomnia. This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of insomnia among Macau residents during this wave as well as its association with quality of life (QoL) from a network analysis perspective. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 26 July and 9 September 2022. Univariate and multivariate analyses explored correlates of insomnia. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) examined the relationship between insomnia and QoL. Network analysis assessed the structure of insomnia including "Expected influence" to identify central symptoms in the network, and the flow function to identify specific symptoms that were directly associated with QoL. Network stability was examined using a case-dropping bootstrap procedure. A total of 1,008 Macau residents were included in this study. The overall prevalence of insomnia was 49.0% (n = 494; 95% CI = 45.9-52.1%). A binary logistic regression analysis indicated people with insomnia were more likely to report depression (OR = 1.237; P < 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.119; P < 0.001), as well as being quarantined during the COVID-19 pandemic (OR = 1.172; P = 0.034). An ANCOVA found people with insomnia had lower QoL (F(1,1,008) = 17.45, P < 0.001). "Sleep maintenance" (ISI2), "Distress caused by the sleep difficulties" (ISI7) and "Interference with daytime functioning" (ISI5) were the most central symptoms in the insomnia network model, while "Sleep dissatisfaction" (ISI4), "Interference with daytime functioning" (ISI5), and "Distress caused by the sleep difficulties" (ISI7) had the strongest negative associations with QoL. The high prevalence of insomnia among Macau residents during the COVID-19 pandemic warrants attention. Being quarantined during the pandemic and having psychiatric problems were correlates of insomnia. Future research should target central symptoms and symptoms linked to QoL observed in our network models to improve insomnia and QoL.

Psychological Factors Explaining the COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Mental Health: The Role of Meaning, Beliefs, and Perceptions of Vulnerability and Mortality

This study tested an expanded version of the explanatory model of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health proposed by Milman and colleagues. Participants (N = 680) completed an online survey on demographic variables associated with poor pandemic mental health, COVID-19 stressors, mental health symptoms, and pandemic-related psychological processes we hypothesized as mediating mechanisms explaining the negative mental health effects of the COVID-19 stressors. Results indicated that these psychological processes (core belief violation, meaning made of the pandemic, vulnerability, and mortality perception) explained the severity of mental health symptoms to a far greater extent than COVID-19 stressors and demographics combined. In addition, these psychological processes mediated the impact of COVID-19 stressors on all mental health outcomes. Specifically, COVID-19 stressors were associated with increased core belief violation, decreased meaning making, and more intense perceived vulnerability and mortality. In turn, those whose core beliefs were more violated by the pandemic, who made less meaning of the pandemic, and who perceived a more pronounced vulnerability and mortality experienced a worse mental health condition. This study's results suggest some possible ways of intervention in pandemic-like events useful for limiting such impact at the individual, group, social and political levels.

COVID-19 challenges and pregnancy desire among married/ in-union women in Kano and Lagos States, Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study examined the influence of COVID-19-induced challenges on pregnancy desire among married/in-union women of reproductive age in Lagos and Kano states, Nigeria. The performance monitoring for action (PMA) data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multilevel regression. About 12% of women desired no pregnancy; 43% would feel happy and unhappy respectively, if pregnancy occurred during the pandemic, while 13.9% would have mixed feelings. COVID-19 concern was associated with no pregnancy desire (OR = 1.14; CI = 1.05–1.24) but negatively associated with feeling happy (RRR: 0.83; CI: 0.71–0.98). Experience of partial household income loss was negatively associated with having mixed feelings (RRR = 0.30; CI = 0.13–0.69). Experience of complete income loss was negatively associated with feeling happy and mixed feelings respectively. In each state, women with COVID-19 concerns and household income loss should be empowered to prevent unwanted pregnancies and their attendant negative reproductive and mental health consequences.

Placed-Based Experiences of the Young Adult Inmates in Nsukka Correctional Centre

Considering the peculiarities of the young adults in their transition period from adolescence to adulthood, this study aims to explore the place based experiences among young adult inmates in Nsukka Correctional Centre. Exploratory qualitative research design was employed. 15 young adults that have spent between 1 month and 10 years were purposely selected for the study. Informed consent form was signed by the participants after due explanations of the research purpose. Data were collected through face to face in-depth interviews done in a quiet office to maintain privacy. The data were transcribed, analyzed thematically and emergent themes were supported by quotes from the respondents. Findings from the study showed that the young adults were depressed, longed for freedom to become productive, regretted past mistakes and bored of regimented life. Recommendations were made for the reduction of the number of young adult inmates, by ensuring access to opportunities and increased support that enhance restoration from any long-term negative physical and mental health effects of incarceration and skills needed for resilience and effective functioning for sustainable national transformation when re-integrated into the society.

Perceived discrimination in the workplace and mental health from early adulthood to midlife.

Considerable evidence demonstrates that perceiving oneself as an object of discrimination has negative consequences for mental health. However, little is known about whether this experience is more or less harmful in distinct phases of the life course, consistent with the life course principle of timing; or whether, in accord with the principle of lifespan development, it has long-term implications. We draw on longitudinal data addressing perceived workplace discrimination based on race/ethnicity and gender from the prospective Youth Development Study, covering early adulthood to midlife. Hierarchical linear modelling of the effects of discrimination on depressed mood indicates that both forms of discrimination have short-term (within life stages) and long-term (across stages) adverse effects on adult mental health. The impacts of perceived discrimination within stages on depressed mood appear to be greatest in the mid-30s and to weaken by midlife. Lingering effects of discrimination are more pronounced early on. These patterns are observed with controls for key time-varying negative experiences at work and personal socio-economic status, as well as invariant background characteristics (gender, race and parental socio-economic status). We consider these findings in relation to the dynamics of personal change in the context of occupational careers.

Alcohol use and motives for drinking across the menstrual cycle in a psychiatric outpatient sample.

Females who misuse alcohol experience high rates of negative physical and mental health consequences. Existing findings are inconsistent but suggest a relationship between ovarian hormones and alcohol use. We aim to clarify how alcohol use and drinking motives vary across the menstrual cycle in female psychiatric outpatients using the luteinizing hormone (LH)-confirmed cycle phase. Daily self-reports (n= 3721) were collected from 94 naturally cycling females, recruited for past-month suicidal ideation, during the baseline phase of three parent clinical trials between February 2017 and May 2022. Multilevel logistic and linear models estimated the relationship between the cycle phase (with LH-surge confirmed ovulation) and daily alcohol use or drinking motives, moderated by the weekend. Models were adjusted for age, legal drinking status, substance use disorder, and the COVID-19 pandemic, and included random effects. Participants were generally more likely to drink in the midluteal (vs. perimenstrual) phase, but more likely to drink heavily on weekends in periovulatory and perimenstrual (vs. midluteal) phases. Social motives for drinking were significantly higher on weekends in the periovulatory, mid-follicular, and midluteal phases (vs. weekdays), but this finding was non-significant in the perimenstrual phase. Participants rated drinking to cope higher in the perimenstrual phase (vs. midluteal phase), regardless of the weekend. In a psychiatric sample with LH-surge-confirmed ovulation, we find an increased likelihood to drink heavily in periovulatory and perimenstrual phases on weekends. We also find that the perimenstrual phase is associated with increased drinking to cope, and relatively lower weekend social drinking. Finally, random effects across models suggest individual differences in the extent to which the cycle influences drinking. Our findings stress (1) predictable phases of increased high-risk alcohol use across the menstrual cycle, and (2) the importance of individual assessment of cyclical changes in alcohol use to predict and prevent ovulation- and menses-related surges in heavy drinking.

Cyberbullying: A study of its extent, coping resources, and psychological impact among college students.

Bullying is an aggressive act with a hostile intent to dominate, abuse, or intimidate an individual(s) with a lesser social or physical power, repeatedly over a period of time. Though bullying can manifest in any social situation, its pernicious presence in the educational institutions has become a source of concern to all stakeholders. With their self-esteem and world view entwined in cyberspace, the present generation of young adults derive their social status and self-worth through affirmations through the internet via social networking sites. Cyberspace is an ideal environment for bullies as it is relatively anonymous, allows the participation of a large audience, and is almost impossible to supervise. To estimate the extent, coping resources, and psychological impact of cyberbullying among Indian college students. This cross-sectional study was carried out among undergraduate medical students of Sikkim. Cyberbullying, cybervictimization, coping strategies used by students, self-esteem, and levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were estimated using standardized self-report scales. Out of 213 medical students, more than half of the college students (60.6%) were victims of cyberbullying. Coping strategies commonly used by cybervictims were technical coping, support from friends, and assertively confronting the bully online. Victims of cyberbullying had significantly more depression, anxiety, stress, and lower self-esteem (p values <0.05) compared to students who did not experience cyberbullying. This study illuminates the extent and nature of cyberbullying among Indian medical students. The negative mental health consequences of cyberbullying are worrying. Mental health professionals and stakeholders need to create an awareness and formulate strategies to combat cyberbullying in colleges.

Online Racism and Mental Health Among Black American Adolescents in 2020.

To determine whether rates of online racial discrimination changed over the course of 2020 and their longitudinal effects on Black youths' mental health. This longitudinal study collected 18,454 daily assessments from a nationally representative sample of 602 Black and White adolescents in the United States (58% Black, 42% White; mean age= 15.09 years, SD= 1.56 years) across 58 days during the heightened racial tensions between March and November2020. Black youths experienced increases in online racial discrimination, and these increases were not fully explained by time spent online or by general cybervictimization experiences. Online racial discrimination predicted poorer same-day and next-day mental health among Black youths but not among White youths. Black youths' mental health did not predict their online racial discrimination experiences. Online racial discrimination has implications for shaping mental health disparities that disadvantage Black youths relative to their White peers. Programs can be implemented to decrease online hate crimes, and health providers (eg, pediatricians, psychiatrists) should develop procedures that mitigate the negative mental health effects following online racial discrimination experiences.

A Reasoned Action Approach to Limiting Excessive Social Media Usage Among Adults

ABSTRACT The literature on social media suggests a link between use and negative mental health consequences. Numerous theoretical perspectives have attempted to explain the underlying mechanisms for this relationship but are lacking a clear explanation for why some individuals may be negatively impacted by their social media use. Despite a plethora of research on this relationship, minimal research has examined the act of limiting social media use as a promotional behavior. This study takes a fresh approach by investigating attitudinal components that predict intentions to limit social media use via the reasoned action approach. US adults (N = 298) participated in an online survey on excessive social media use. Attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control were significant predictors of intentions to limit social media use. In addition, perceived behavioral control was hypothesized to moderate both the attitude to intention and norm to intention relationships in that these associations would be stronger for those with higher control beliefs. Results showed that strong control beliefs strengthened the attitudes to intentions relationship but weakened the norm to intention relationship. Future practical and research directions are discussed to promote limiting social media use and further investigate the negative mental health outcomes of excessive social media.

A Training Programme for Developing Social and Personal Resources and Its Effects on the Perceived Stress Level in Adults in Daily Life—Study Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study

Persistent stress and insufficient coping strategies have negative consequences for physical and mental health. Teaching adults the skills needed to sustainably improve stress-buffering aspects of their character could contribute to the prevention of stress-related diseases. In this non-randomised, observational, prospective cohort study, participants of a training programme for developing social and personal skills, to which they previously self-assigned, are assessed. The 12-month training programme focuses on improving perceived stress level (primary outcome), health behaviour, presence of common somatic symptoms, satisfaction with life, quality of social relationships, and wellbeing by addressing life goals, meaning in life, sense of coherence, social and personal resources, and transcendence. Study participants are recruited from the training groups via the training organiser. Companions, persons with whom they share a close relationship, are recruited to assess the interpersonal diffusion effects of the training. Matched individuals not participating in the training are the control group. Parameter assessment follows a pre-, post-, and follow-up (6 months) design. Designed to improve health-related outcomes in adults by addressing personality characteristics and using Lozanov's superlearning principles to improve learning efficiency, this training programme is, to the study team's knowledge, the first of its kind. From a research perspective, the outcomes of this study can provide new insights into primary prevention of stress-related diseases and how the effects of these measures are passed on through common personal interaction. The trial has been pre-registered (registration number: NCT04165473).

Activities Online and Compulsive Internet Use in Primary School-Aged Children: Whether and How it Has Changed during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

There has been a growing concern among researchers about the use of various information technologies with screens and the Internet by children and adolescents over the past decade. Researchers are concerned that such type of activities can have negative consequences for mental health. Recent studies reveal that Internet use and screen time increased due to the quarantine restrictions, lockdowns and therefore distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims: 1) based on parental reports, to find out the changes in screen time, the online activities and the compulsive Internet use (CIU) of 10-11 years old children during the quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic; 2) to determine the links between children’s CIU and the screen time, online activities, children’s gender and their parents’ education. The results of this study showed that screen time was longer and children’s CIU scores were significantly higher in Spring 2020 if to compare to Autumn 2019. Boys were reported to have higher CIU scores than girls. Children’s CIU was significantly predicted by overall screen time and online activities for entertainment, especially when during quarantine.

Incidence and persistence of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals with and without disability

ObjectivesWe investigated the incidence (becoming distressed at the follow-up) and persistence (distressed at the baseline and the follow-up) of psychological distress among individuals with and without disability in the period from early 2017 (before the COVID-19 pandemic) to late 2020 (the second wave of the pandemic). MethodsWe analyzed the population-based FinHealth 2017 survey and its follow-up conducted in 2020 (number of individuals who participated in both surveys: n = 4881; age = 18+). Logistic regressions were applied to investigate differences in the incidence and persistence of psychological distress between people with and without disability. We also investigated whether age, quality of life at the baseline, and perceived increase in loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic moderated the association between disability and the incidence of distress. ResultsThe incidence of psychological distress was higher (OR = 3.01, 95% CI:2.09–4.35) for people with disability (18.9%) than among those without (7.4%), being highest (31.5%) among the youngest participants with disability, aged 18 to 39. People with disability who had a poor quality of life at the baseline were particularly prone to become distressed during the follow-up. People who reported perceived increase in loneliness during the pandemic were prone to become distressed at the follow-up regardless of their disability status. The persistence of distress was more common (OR = 6.00, 95% CI:3.53–10.12) among people with disability (65.7%) than among those without (24.9%). ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic had more negative mental health effects on people with disability, especially adults with disability who were young and had a low quality of life before the pandemic.

COPING STRATEGIES AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS DURING THE SECOND COVID-19 PANDEMIC WAVE IN SWITZERLAND

Abstract Coping strategies help individuals face stressful events and adapt to them. During the second wave of the COVID19 pandemic, individuals were confronted with increased governmental restrictions that aimed in impeding the propagation of the virus, but affected, at the same time, the life as we knew it, with negative consequences for mental health. This study aims at identifying the coping strategies that individuals used during this period, whether they changed over time and how they affected depressive symptoms in a life span sample in Switzerland. Our sample consisted of 736 individuals with age ranging between 18 and 81 years. The study was conducted in three waves with one-month intervals during the second pandemic-wave (i.e., October, November, December 2020). We used multilevel modelling to identify within-subject change and between-subject differences in depressive symptoms, with coping strategies and sociodemographic variables included as predictors. Older age, male gender, cohabiting with others, and being employed protected from feeling depressed. Results also indicated that seeking functional support, seeking emotional support, positive reappraisal and acceptance decreased, while self-distraction and depressive symptoms increased. When positive reappraisal decreased or/and when self-distraction increased, depressive symptoms also increased. This protective effect of positive reappraisal on depression differed in magnitude for younger and older individuals: Reduction in positive reappraisal was more strongly related to increases in depression for younger individuals. In sum, to adapt to the pandemic stress individuals changed the frequency of coping strategy use, but only changes in positive reappraisal and in self-distracting had an influence on depressive symptoms.

THE ART OF BALANCE: EMPOWERING DEMENTIA CARE PARTNERS TO OPTIMIZE THEIR WELLNESS, RESILIENCE, AND HEALTH

Abstract By 2050, 140 million people will be living with dementia (WHO, 2021), most of whom will be cared for at home by family members, relatives, partners, friends, and neighbors, supplemented by help from paid caregivers. Because of their critical role in managing health and wellness for people living with dementia (PLWD), caregivers face unique stressors and challenges that can give rise to negative physical and mental health consequences. This symposium aims to strengthen our understanding about how to empower care partners to optimize health and wellness for themselves and PLWD in everyday living and during periods of health crisis. The first presentation characterizes behaviors care partners adopt that promote resilience in the face of dementia-related health crises (Zhou et al); the second describes facilitators and barriers to adoption of self-care behaviors that can promote resilience (Sadak et al). We then introduce a technology-enabled pilot intervention to strengthen care partners’ self-care behaviors (Ishado et al.) and a physical activity intervention to promote maintenance of function (Li et al.). We conclude with a panel discussion of cross-cutting implications of these approaches for future research, clinical care, and policy.

OLDER ADULT CAREGIVERS’ THOUGHTS ON WOUND CARE RESOURCES

Abstract As healthcare increasingly shifts to home and community-based settings, informal caregiver responsibilities are increasing beyond assistance with activities of daily living to include complex care procedures previously performed by licensed caregivers in clinical settings. With an aging population, increasing numbers of older adults are assuming a caregiving role and these older adult caregivers are performing complex care procedures such as wound care. The negative physical and mental health consequences of caregiving for older adult caregivers are well documented in the literature. However, access to and use of resources are associated with better physical and mental health. Past research on caregiving resources has utilized pre-determined resource variables. Little is known about older adult caregivers’ salient thoughts on resources important to caregiving and performing complex care procedures. This study utilized thematic analysis of qualitative interview data to identify themes and patterns related to resources as described by older adult caregivers. The following seven themes related to resources needed or utilized were identified: 1) expert guidance from healthcare professionals; 2) written instructions; 3) relationships with healthcare professionals for obtaining wound care supplies; 4) additional durable medical equipment; 5) financial resources; 6) coverage for caregiver personal time; and 7) select persons for social and emotional support. Older adult caregivers need and use a variety of resources when providing wound care. As increasing numbers of older adults choose to ‘age in place’, the importance of adequate resources to sustain care recipients and their caregivers in the home setting is critical.

Help-Seeking Buffers the Impact of Grief on Quality of Life: A Study of Loss During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a global challenge for anticipating the support and treatment needs of bereaved individuals. However, no studies have examined how mourners have been coping with grief and which strategies may buffer negative mental health consequences. We examined the various coping strategies being used and which strategies best support quality of life. Participants completed self-report measures of demographic and loss-related characteristics, grief symptoms, quality of life (QOL), and coping strategies used. Despite help-seeking being one of the least endorsed coping strategies used, help-seeking was the only coping strategy that buffered the impact of grief on QOL for individuals with high grief severity. Results support predictions that grief may become a global mental health concern requiring increased accessibility and availability of grief therapies and professional supports for bereaved individuals during and in the aftermath of the pandemic.