Protective Factor For Anxiety Research Articles

Gender-based violence and its long-term impact on women’s mental health in Andalusia (Spain): risk and protective factors

The aim of this research was to examine the relationship between surviving gender-based violence (GBV) and the long-term presence of clinical symptoms and psychological distress. This was a cross-sectional study of 105 women, 54 of whom had experienced GBV more than three years prior to the study. Participants ranged in age from 24 to 73 years old. They were assessed using a semi-structured interview, instruments to assess self-esteem, maladjustment, perceived stress, social support and resilience, and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III). Between-group differences and linear regression analyses were used to determine which variables had the greatest impact on the current psychological health status of women survivors of GBV. We found differences in levels of self-esteem, maladjustment, social support and perceived stress. There were also differences in most of the MCMI-III scales, indicating a pattern of depression and paranoid personality. Experiencing GBV in childhood was found to be predictive of increased pathology and emotional distress. Social support has been shown to be a protective factor for anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. GBV should be treated as a distinct form of violence that requires specific treatment, rather than as just another form of interpersonal violence.

Ansiedade e depressão em profissionais da saúde durante a pandemia da COVID-19

Abstract Objective To investigate the prevalence and associated factors of depression and anxiety among hospital healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the extreme south of Brazil. Method Cross-sectional study was conducted with 264 healthcare workers, between August and December 2020. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Generalized Anxiety Scale. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed. Results The prevalence of depression and anxiety among healthcare workers was 32.4% and 26.2%, respectively. The profession of nursing technician, having a family member who had lost a job, being responsible for family income, being 50 or more years old, being divorced or widowed, having a test for COVID-19, having suffered a traumatic event in life and having received psychological counseling at work were associated with depression and anxiety. Conclusion In this study, receiving psychological counseling at work was a protective factor for anxiety and depression.

The protective value of trait mindfulness for mothers' anxiety during the perinatal period

ObjectivesAnxiety is highly prevalent in the perinatal period and can have negative consequences for the mother and the child. Extensive research has been done on risk factors for anxiety during the perinatal period, but less is known about protective factors. The current study aims to determine the relative contribution of trait mindfulness as a protective factor for anxiety. MethodsA longitudinal study design was used, with four measurement points: 12, 22, and 32 weeks of pregnancy (T0, T1, and T2, respectively), and 6 weeks postpartum (T3). General anxiety was measured at T1, T2, and T3, pregnancy-specific distress was measured at T1 and T2, mindfulness facets (acting with awareness, non-reacting, and non-judging) and partner involvement were measured at T1, and other known risk factors for anxiety were measured at T0. Multilevel regression models were used for statistical analyses. ResultsMindfulness facets measured at T1 were negatively associated with anxiety at T1, T2, and T3, and pregnancy-specific distress at T1 and T2. Of the mindfulness facets, non-judging was shown to have the largest protective effect against anxiety and pregnancy-specific distress. Also compared to partner-involvement and known risk factors, non-judging showed the largest effect on anxiety and pregnancy-specific distress. ConclusionsFor pregnant women who are at risk for developing or experiencing high levels of anxiety, it may be beneficial to participate in a mindfulness training with special attention for the attitudinal aspects of mindfulness.

Black motherhood and the dual pandemics: The protective role of stable income on mental wellbeing

AbstractThe dual pandemic (racial discrimination and COVID‐19) has contributed to mental health disparities across various social identities. Black mothers, in particular, have shouldered the heightened stresses of being Black and female during a time of immense anti‐Black racism and societal pressures to assume caretaking roles at the expense of, or in addition to, other financial obligations. Thus, this study examines the relationship between COVID‐19 related financial difficulties, racial discrimination, and the protective role of stable income on Black mothers’ (N = 949) mental wellbeing (i.e., anxiety, depression, loneliness, and stress). Using regression analyses, we find that financial difficulties and experiences of racial discrimination along with related concerns for children are associated with higher rates of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and stress. Moderation analyses suggest that at the highest level of financial difficulties, stable income can serve as a protective factor for anxiety. However, the study found no significant interactions between financial difficulties and experiences of racial discrimination or related concern for children. Implications for short‐and long‐term social policies are discussed.

Slackening of COVID-19 social isolation measures and resilience in young adults: a longitudinal study on medium-term effects on loneliness

Background Social isolation to contain the COVID-19 pandemic affected young adult mental health, partly through loneliness. Resilience is a protective factor for anxiety and depression after exposure to a stressor such as a pandemic. Medium-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on young adult mental health are yet to be defined. Aims This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate if slackening of social isolation reduced loneliness in young adult living in two European countries, and if this was positively related to their mental health care needs status. Methods A two-phase online survey was conducted from spring 2020 (T1) to summer 2020 (T2). The primary outcomes were the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA) and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale. Participants reported mental health care needs before and during lockdown: professional help-seeking, psychotropic drugs use, and admission to a psychiatric department. Results There were 88 participants at T2 (retention rate 35%), of whom 78.4% were female, with a mean age of 22±2.4 years. They were grouped according to mental health care needs change. UCLA scale score decreased in 51 (58.0%) participants from T1 to T2. The group who experienced an increase in mental health care needs displayed a more significant decrease in the UCLA scale compared to the other groups (adjusted p=0.02 and 0.01). The difference of UCLA scale scores from T1 to T2 was positively correlated with the RSA score at T1 (p=0.02). Limitations This longitudinal design provides robust evidence, but the drop-off (attrition 65%) is a significant limitation. Our research was explorative and the results need to be confirmed in future studies. Conclusions Loneliness decreased in line with the slackening of social isolation. Resilience predicts the positive medium-term outcome of loneliness. Thus, interpersonal social support and resilience seem particularly beneficial for young adult mental health. Early assessment of resilience in large-scale disasters could represent a powerful tool for identifying at-risk subjects. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on young adult mental health.

Obesity-Associated Anxiety Is Prevalent among College Students and Alleviated by Calorie Restriction.

Anxiety is a common disorder among college students, especially those with obesity. Obesity contributes to metabolic disorders and disturbs the neural functions, further leading to anxiety. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the association between obesity and anxiety among college students and identified the potential factors for obesity-associated anxiety. We evaluated the intervention effects of calorie restriction on anxiety. Self-reported questionnaires were distributed to 1381 college students from January to March in 2021. Anxiety was measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Participants were classified into anxiety and non-anxiety groups according to their STAI scores. Chi-squared test and logistic regression were used to analyze the potential factors. We found that 383 college students exhibited anxiety, accounting for 30.1% among all included college students, which was higher than the global average. The association between anxiety and obesity was observed among college students (p = 0.009), especially in males (p = 0.007). We identified that pre-obesity (p = 0.012), unhealthy calorie intake (p = 0.001), dieting (p = 0.003) and high academic year (p = 0.006) as the risk factors for anxiety and found that the long sleep duration was a protective factor for anxiety (p < 0.001). We found that more obese students showed an improvement of anxiety than the underweight students after calorie restriction (p < 0.001). Collectively, our findings suggest that obesity-associated anxiety is prevalent among the college students and could be alleviated by moderate calorie restriction. It is necessary for students to receive anxiety management in their college life. Additionally, the proper calorie restriction should be promoted to help students protect against obesity and obesity-associated anxiety.

Cognitive Performances: The Role of Digit Ratio (D2:D4) With a Protective Factor for Anxiety.

This study aimed to identify a possible correlation between the D2:D4 ratio and state and/or trait anxiety in adult healthy subjects and, if so, whether it exists any difference between men and women. In addition, we also wanted to observe whether there is a relationship between participants' age and state and/or trait anxiety. The research involved 125 subjects of both sexes, who were calculated the D2:D4 ratio and were administered the self-assessment questionnaire State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y). Results show that there are positive significant correlations between the D2:D4 ratio and score at state anxiety and trait anxiety, in the total sample. However, if men are examined separately from women, it can be observed that only men have a statistically significant relationship between D2:D4 ratios and state anxiety and trait anxiety. Moreover, about possible relations between the age of participants and state and trait anxiety, a significant negative relationship was observed, without differences between men and women. However, only subjects with a D2:D4 ratio ≥ 1, without differences between men and women, showed a statistically significant negative linear correlation between their age and their state and trait anxiety. The present data allow us to conclude that a low D2:D4 ratio (<1) represents a protective factor against anxiety in both men and women and that this protection seems likely to act throughout life.

The predictive value of self-compassion for psychological adjustment in left ventricular assist device patients: an observational study.

AimsImplantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is an established treatment option for patients with advanced heart failure. However, apart from its challenging medical management, it comes with serious psychological implications. Empirical evidence suggests that self‐compassion, a self‐regulation strategy for countering negative self‐directed emotions, might be a promising approach in facilitating psychological adjustment also in LVAD patients. The aims of the present study were to investigate self‐compassion as a protective factor for anxiety and depressive symptoms, to test whether taking a decentred perspective mediates these effects, and to explore whether self‐compassion predicts the clinically rated functional health status.Method and resultsA sample of N = 45 patients (36 male) with a mean age of 60.5 years (SD = 10.8) from the outpatient department for terminal heart failure at the University Medical Center in Kiel, Germany, participated in the study. Patients completed self‐report measures for psychological adjustment (HADS), self‐compassion (SCS), and decentring (EQ). Functional health status was determined by the NYHA classification. The more patients were self‐compassionate, the less they reported anxiety (r = −0.28) and depressive symptoms (r = −0.34). Decentring mediated both effects. Moreover, self‐compassion predicted the functional health status, even when controlling for anxiety (odds ratio [OR] = 0.09) and depressive symptoms (OR = 0.11).ConclusionsThis study provides the first evidence for a significant interrelation between self‐compassion and common adverse psychological conditions in LVAD patients. Longitudinal data and the evaluation of interventions to strengthen self‐compassion are needed to further validate the beneficial effects of self‐compassion in LVAD patients in the future.

COVID-19 Knowledge/Practices, Mental Status, and Return-To-Work Concerns Among Healthcare Workers in Huangzhou District, Huanggang City, China.

Objective:This study investigated the COVID-19-prevention knowledge and practices of healthcare workers (HCWs), their psychological states concerning the return to work, and their trust and requirements in using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to prevent and treat COVID-19. It is hoped that the study can serve as a reference for policy making during the resumption of work in other countries or regions experiencing similar situations.Methods:This study comprised a quantitative cross-sectional online survey design. Purposive sampling and Cluster sampling were used to recruit all HCWs working in public hospitals in Huangzhou District, Huanggang City, Hubei Province, China. From April 23 to May 14, 2020, surveys were sent electronically to all 13 public hospitals in this area.Results:In total, 2,079 responses were received and 2,050 completed forms were included. After analysis, 47.9 and 46.6% of HCWs indicated that they possessed very good knowledge or good knowledge of preventative measures, respectively. Multivariable log-binomial regression indicated that male, tertiary hospital, medical staff, and undergraduate/postgraduate qualification were associated with good knowledge. Good knowledge was also well-correlated with good practice (OR: 3.277; 95% CI: 2.734–3.928; P < 0.01). 59.8% of HCWs reported worries about resuming work; especially asymptomatic infections. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) indicated that 10.8% of participants had mild anxiety, 1.5% moderate anxiety, and 0.1% severe anxiety. Female, divorced/widowed, and working in a high risk hospital (the Huangzhou District People's Hospital was used for throat swab examinations of returning workers) were risk factors for concerns about resuming work and anxiety symptoms. However, good preventive knowledge was a protective factor for anxiety. HCWs' trust in using TCM to treat COVID-19 was significantly higher than their trust in using TCM for prevention (P < 0.001). Regarding preferences for preventative TCM products, oral TCM granules were the most preferred (62.4%). HCWs also indicated they wanted to know more about the clinical efficacy, applicable population, and adverse reactions of preventative TCM products (89.3, 81.1, and 81.4%, respectively).Conclusion:While HCWs had good knowledge of COVID-19 preventative measures, this did not eliminate the psychological impact of resumption of work. Promotion of COVID-19 prevention knowledge reduces the risk of infection, and alleviates the worries and anxiety symptoms of HCWs about resuming work (especially in administrative staff, those with low education, and those working in primary hospitals). Additional psychological support is required for female HCWs, divorced/widowed HCWs, and those working in high-risk hospitals. Finally, systematic trials of preventative TCM products are recommended.

Risk perception, anxiety, and depression among hospital pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic: The mediating effect of positive and negative affect

This study investigated the impacts of risk perception of COVID-19 on anxiety and depression symptoms among hospital pharmacists in China. We conducted a cross-sectional study with hospital pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Some 4,219 hospital pharmacists completed an online survey including demographic questions, risk perception of COVID-19, General Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Multivariate regression and mediation analyses were conducted. The results indicated that 41.9% and 29.4% of hospital pharmacists experienced mild to severe levels of anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. In older age, a higher level of risk perception of COVID-19, and negative affect experience were risk factors, whereas positive affect experience was a protective factor for anxiety and depression symptoms among pharmacists. Experience of positive and negative affect mediated the relationship between risk perception of COVID-19 and anxiety and depression among hospital pharmacists in China. Timely mental health services need to be provided for hospital pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Older Age and Other Protective Factors of Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the US

Research conducted early in the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., March 2020) suggested that older adults were less likely to experience negative pandemic-related mental health than younger people. We investigated whether this age-related advantage persisted during the July 2020 spike in COVID-19 cases and investigated links between coping strategies and mental health. We used data from the Understanding America Study (UAS) to conduct a secondary data analysis of participants (N = 5,753) aged 18-110 years (M=46.20, SD=12.88) who completed online self-report surveys twice—once immediately prior to the July spike in cases, and again during the spike. Surveys assessed engagement in protective behaviors (e.g., wearing a mask, washing hands), coping strategies (e.g., calling family/friends, getting extra exercise, meditating), and anxiety and depressive symptoms (using the Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-4). Multiple regression analyses were used to identify predictors of anxiety and depression during the spike, controlling for previous anxiety and depression, race, ethnicity, income, education, and marital status. Older age and engaging in protective behaviors were associated with less anxiety, whereas coping by calling family/friends was associated with more symptoms, R2 = .71, F(16, 5736) = 885.90, p < .001. Coping by calling and getting extra exercise were associated with fewer depressive symptoms, whereas coping by using social media was associated with more symptoms, R2 = .72, F(16, 5736) = 906.65, p < .001. These findings highlight age as a protective factor for anxiety but not for depression and underscore the importance of social support as a protective factor for mental health.

Left alone outside: A prospective observational cohort study on mental health outcomes among relatives of COVID-19 hospitalized patients

Hospitalization due to COVID-19 bears many psychological challenges. While focusing on infected patients, their relatives are being largely neglected. Here, we investigated the mental health implications of hospitalization among relatives, over a one-month course. A single center study was conducted to assess relatives of COVID-19 patients during the first month from their admission to the hospital, and elucidate risk and protective factors for mental health deterioration. Ninety-one relatives of the first patients to be hospitalized in Israel were contacted by phone and screened for anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) at three time points (25–72 hours, 7–18 days, and one month). We found that anxiety and depression decreased significantly during the first month from their admission. Risk factors for deteriorated mental health at one month included feelings of mental exhaustion, financial concerns, and social disconnection. Being an ultra-orthodox was a protective factor for anxiety and depression but not for PTSS. Our findings emphasize the importance of addressing the mental health status of close relatives and adjust support for the unique setting of COVID-19.

Adverse Psychological Reactions and Psychological Aids for Medical Staff During the COVID-19 Outbreak in China.

Background: The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 caused panic and psychological stress throughout the World. We investigated the extent of adverse psychological reactions in two medical staff groups in China, and explored the importance of online psychological assistance for them.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey including Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was utilized to assess anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to match sex and age between the two groups. Differences in the prevalence of adverse psychological reactions between the two groups were compared by a Chi-square test. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to search for associated adverse psychological reaction factors of two groups.Results: A total of 2,920 medical staff took part in the survey, including 470 frontline and 2,450 non-frontline medical staff. The risk of the frontline group experiencing anxiety, depression, insomnia-early, insomnia-middle, and insomnia-late were 1.16, 1.28, 1.26, 1.22, 1.28 times those of the non-frontline group after PSM. For frontline medical staff, the spinsterhood state (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.00–1.51; P = 0.05) was a risk factor for anxiety. Bachelor or college degree (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.24–4.02, P = 0.01) and a contact history with COVID-19 patients (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.10–2.40; P = 0.02) were risk factors for insomnia. For non-frontline medical staff, being a woman (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.08–2.06, P = 0.01) was a risk factor for anxiety, whilst being in a middle age group was a protective factor for anxiety (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.50–0.99, P = 0.04) and depression (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.45–0.93, P = 0.02). Being a woman (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.14–1.89, P = 0.003) and working in a COVID-19 unit (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.11–1.54, P = 0.001) were risk factors for insomnia, whilst the spinsterhood state (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67–0.95; P = 0.01) was a protective factor for insomnia. Online forms of psychological aid were all popular with medical staff.Conclusions: The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and insomnia in frontline medical staff was significantly higher than in the non-frontline group. Appropriate intervention methods should be adopted according to the different influencing factors of the two groups. Online psychological aid was the preferred mechanism for relieving psychological problems.

RESILIENCIA Y ANSIEDAD EN PERSONAS CON COVID-19 EN MANTA, MANABÍ, ECUADOR

La investigación determina los niveles de ansiedad y resiliencia, así como la relación entre estas categorías, en personas que fueron diagnosticadas con el virus de COVID-19 en la ciudad de Manta, provincia Manabí, la cual está dentro de las provincias con más casos de infección del Ecuador. Se estudia la relación existente entre el nivel de resiliencia y la ansiedad, asociados a la condición de estar atravesando por la enfermedad que produce el virus. La resiliencia es un factor protector para la ansiedad durante situaciones de estrés, de importancia para el bienestar integral de las personas. El estudio de estas categorías en las circunstancias descritas de la pandemia por coronavirus resulta pertinente, por cuanto aporta información valiosa acerca de los efectos psicológicos del COVID-19. La población está constituida por un grupo de personas que habitan en la ciudad de Manta, diagnosticadas con COVID-19 durante la pandemia de 2020, en los meses de junio y julio. Se realizó una entrevista abierta para determinar los niveles de expresión de las variables estudiadas. Se aplicaron las Pruebas de Ansiedad de Hamilton y de Resiliencia SV-RES. Como resultado se concluye, que existe una relación entre estas variables. Los resultados obtenidos indican que las personas mantienen un nivel de resiliencia como tendencia alto y la ansiedad se expresa en niveles bajos. En cuanto a la relación entre las mismas, se aprecia que los niveles de resiliencia encontrados permiten un mejor control de la ansiedad. Palabras clave: Resiliencia, salud mental, pandemia.

Influencing factors and correlation of anxiety, psychological stress sources, and psychological capital among women pregnant with a second child in Guangdong and Shandong Province

BackgroundAfter the one-child policy has been effective for over 30 years, China implemented the universal two-child policy in 2015. The number of high-risk pregnant women had increased dramatically ever since, increasing negative health outcomes for both mothers and children. Our study aims to investigate the status of anxiety, psychological stress sources, and psychological capital among women pregnant with a second child, and to assess influencing factors and correlations, providing scientific basis for promoting women's health during pregnancy. MethodsWe recruited 513 participants from maternity hospitals in Guangdong and Shandong Province. All participants completed the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Pregnant women psychological stress sources questionnaire and the psychological capital questionnaire (PCQ-24). ResultsThe prevalence of anxiety of women pregnant with a second child was 27.5%. The score of psychological stress sources was 74.93 ± 16.07. The risk factors for the anxiety of the women pregnant with a second child included low education level of the husband, gender expectation and the sources of psychological stress of the pregnant woman. The risk factors for psychological stress were dissatisfaction of residence and unplanned pregnancy. The main factors influencing psychological capital were the participants’ education level, whether they have learned antenatal care knowledge and satisfaction with the residence. LimitationsAll participants were recruited only from tertiary hospitals in Guangdong and Shandong province. ConclusionsAnxiety and psychological stress is prevalent during pregnancy among women pregnant with a second child in Guangdong and Shandong. Psychological capital was a protective factor for anxiety.

Are overweight people more susceptible to anxiety?

This study aimed to investigate anxiety status and its relationship with body mass index (BMI) among empty nesters in China, so as to improve their quality of life and provide direction for further research. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 4901 empty nesters in Shanxi, China. Anxiety, weight, height, depression, socio-demographic variables, attention to daily nutritional health, social activities, and self-care ability were evaluated in the study. T-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare differences in categorical and continuous variables. Binary logistic regression was performed to explore the association between anxiety and BMI among male and female empty nesters. The results showed that 44.5% of empty nesters reported anxiety, of which, 43.2% were male participants and 45.9% were female participants. After adjusting for other variables, overweight empty nesters odds ratio (OR; 95% confidence interval [CI])=0.813 (0.692-0.954) were less likely to be anxious, compared with their normal-weight counterparts. Gender was a significant factor in the relationship, with the negative association between overweight and anxiety only found in female empty nesters OR (95%CI)=0.718 (0.572-0.901). Income, education, complete self-care ability, and depression showed significant associations with anxiety. The prevalence of anxiety was high in the study population. Gender is a significant factor in the relationship between anxiety and BMI among empty nesters. The results intend to inform the government and media that overweight is a protective factor for anxiety among female empty nesters, necessitating a move toward eliminating weight bias.

Biracial Self-Identification: Impact on Trait Anxiety, Social Anxiety, and Depression

Sixty-one Biracial participants were assessed on measures of depression, trait anxiety, and social anxiety to ascertain if their racial identity choice impacted their scores on these psychological measures. Societal pressure to identify as monoracial was also measured to determine if the various racial identity groups perceived these pressures differently and if these pressures were related to the reported quality of psychological functioning. Results indicated that a validated Biracial identity may serve as a protective factor for anxiety and depressive symptoms, whereas Biracial individuals who consider their race to be meaningless or fluid based on situational factors reported significantly higher levels of depression and trait anxiety symptoms than other Biracial individuals. The latter group also reported the least pressure from family to identify as monoracial. Societal pressure from peers to identify as monoracial was found to predict social anxiety and fear of negative evaluation among all Biracial participants.