Psychological Health Issues Research Articles

Impact of Coronavirus on the Performance of Library and Information Science Professionals: A Comparative Survey

The spread of the deadly disease Coronavirus has had a negative impact on every aspect of human life, including the education sector with no exception. As a preventive measure, Governments worldwide announced lockdown & closure of the educational institutions, promote a drastic change in the education environment, from conventional classroom-based to online interaction-based. As the second wave of the pandemic strikes India with a tsunami of cases, LIS professionals serve as front-line workers to keep the educational system functioning without interruption. The present study tried to analyze the performance of LIS professionals during this nightmare with thousands of barriers, like limited e-content, internet speed, availability of insufficient devices, inadequate technical knowledge, unfamiliar online learning, lack of social & personal relationships, financial crisis and physical & psychological health issues. An online survey was conducted with a sample of N=1000, including 500 library staff & 500 teaching staff, to find the answers to the research questions. According to the study findings, employees’ efficiency, social & personal relationships and financial situations were negatively influenced by lockdown during COVID-19, although they tried hard to complete their goals and serve the community with authentic information & knowledge.

Clinical characteristics and follow-up analysis of 324 discharged COVID-19 patients in Shenzhen during the recovery period.

Objectives: Research on recovering COVID-19 patients could be helpful for containing the pandemic and developing vaccines, but we still do not know much about the clinical features, recovery process, and antibody reactions during the recovery period.Methods: We retrospectively analysed the epidemiological information, discharge summaries, and laboratory results of 324 patients.Results: In all, 15 (8.62%) patients experienced chest distress/breath shortness, where 8 of the 15 were severely ill. This means severely ill patients need an extended amount of time to recover after discharge; next, 20 (11.49%) patients experienced anxiety and 21 (12.07%) had headache/insomnia and a small fraction of them complained of anosmia/ageusia, indicating that these patients need treatment for mental and psychological health issues. Regarding the re-positive patients, their CT and laboratory test results showed no obvious evidence of illness progress or infectivity but a high anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody expression.Conclusion: Recovered COVID-19 patients need psychological and physiological care and treatment, re-positivity can occur in any person, but juveniles, females, and patients with mild/moderate existing symptoms have higher rates of re-positivity, While there is no evidence that turning re-positive has an impact on their infectivity, but it still alerted us that we need differentiate them in the following managements.

The Role of Religiosity to Address the Mental Health Crisis of Students: A Study on Three Parameters (Anxiety, Depression, and Stress)

Religiosity is a construct that has interesting implications in the mental health issues of youths. This study examines the role of religiosity on anxiety, depression, and stress using 148 Muslim students studying Islamic studies at undergraduate provision in an Islamic University as sample. Results indicated that the level of religiosity among the participants ranged from moderately religious to highly religious. The mean levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among the participants were moderate, and a significant number of students suffered from severe psychological distress. Female students were reported to experience significantly slightly more stress than male students. Furthermore, the relationship between religiosity, anxiety, and depression was significantly negative but not stressful. Further analysis found that religiosity serves as a protective factor for depression. Meanwhile, some religiosity components (i.e., avoidance of sinful acts and frequent conduct of recommended acts) were found to be a significant protective factor against anxiety and depression, respectively. Thus, in retrospect, mental health and religion appear to converge on managing psychological distress. As so to speak, this is a vital point in the emerging mental health services in which the incorporation of religious components into clinical practice may show good promising results in aiding the recovery process of psychological health issues. Likewise, embedding religiosity in one’s life, or being religiously minded, reflected in daily life manifestation, is linked with better mental health outcomes.

Application of Painting Psychology Technology in Community Correction Assessment

Painting psychology technology is an effective tool for the treatment of mental illnesses. By introducing painting psychology technology, social workers can utilize painting tests and analysis in their correction assessment, correction process risk assessment and social adaptability assessment of their community correction subjects. This assessment can enhance the effectiveness of correction work, and help resolve psychological or mental health issues, enhance self-awareness and assist subjects in rediscovering their respective social positioning. Furthermore, the use painting psychology technology can prevent and resolve risks in the correction process, enhance social adaptability of correctional subjects, and continuously improve the quality and social effects of community correction.

Immediate psychological responses during the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic among Bangladeshi medical students

BackgroundThe most recent global pandemic of COVID-19 has been creating multidimensional damages, including a detrimental impact on the mental health status of individuals. Medical students, a vulnerable cross-section of the population, may have perceived a myriad of psychological stressors during this crisis in the background of their prevailing stressful academic pressure and preexisting higher psychological and mental health issue. ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms and to elucidate the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Bangladeshi medical students. MethodA cross-sectional study design was utilized to conduct this survey. The online survey including demographic questions, COVID-19 related questions, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; higher scores on the subscales indicate higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms), was completed by 425 Bangladeshi medical students. Collected data were statistically analyzed by using SPSS (version 25.0) software. ResultThe HADS anxiety subscale revealed that 65.9% of the medical students had different levels of anxiety, ranging from mild (27.3%), moderate (26.8%), and severe (11.8%). As per HADS depression subscale, 49.9% of the medical students had varying degrees of depressive symptoms, with 3.3% of the participants had suffered from severe depressive symptoms. Female students had a relatively more anxiety and depressive symptoms when compared with males. The students, who were severely tensed of getting infected by the virus, were at higher risk of suffering from anxiety (3.5-fold) and depressive (2.7-fold) symptoms, when compared with no/minimally stressed students. Besides, fear of getting assaulted or humiliated on the way to hospital or home, not to be able to give maximum concentration on study after COVID-19 pandemic, students’ present emotional status (agitation), had statistically significant higher risk of anxiety. ConclusionA substantial proportion of Bangladeshi medical students are experiencing pandemic-related adverse psychological impact. Poor mental health conditions of these vulnerable medical students pose important threat to their potential contribution in future health care. Thus, medical colleges and health authorities should focus on addressing their psychological needs and formulate effective strategies to ameliorate medical students’ mental health status, particularly during any infectious disease outbreak.

Letter to the Editor: Psychological Health Issues and Stress Management during COVID-19 Pandemic

Letter to the Editor: Psychological Health Issues and Stress Management during COVID-19 Pandemic

Letter to the Editor: Psychological Health Issues and Stress Management during COVID-19 Pandemic

Letter to the Editor: Psychological Health Issues and Stress Management during COVID-19 Pandemic

Letter to the Editor: Psychological Health Issues and Stress Management during COVID-19 Pandemic

Letter to the Editor: Psychological Health Issues and Stress Management during COVID-19 Pandemic

Self-care of Frontline Health Care Workers: During COVID-19 Pandemic.

The world is amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that has used social distancing as a tool for containing the virus from spreading exponentially among other individuals. Previous literature suggests that human contact and attachment is a key for well-being which is why punishments like solitary confinement in detention centers like jail has always been debated as being torturous (Wolfendal 2020). With this notion, anxiety and stress may become more prevalent in individuals who experience self-isolation or are under a forced lockdown. For health-care workers like doctors and psychologists, who advocate for physical health, mental health and wellbeing; the challenges might increase during the pandemic phase as they are expected to go through the crises just like others while simultaneously contributing in rendering services related to dealing with physical and psychological health issues present in patients and clients with their continued practice from either on-site or online platforms. Although all health care professional's training inoculates the ill effects of compassion fatigue by other's overwhelming situations and discussions but they might still be prone to vicarious burnout, trauma and stress. Hence, they may become exposed to being at risk of experiencing anxiety more than the general population. This review discusses facets of the importance of self-care as mental health first aid tool for health care professionals including doctors and psychologists using research and supportive techniques to help them process stress and anxiety during and after the global pandemic.

Psychological Health Issues Subsequent to SARS-Cov 2 Restrictive Measures: The Role of Parental Bonding and Attachment Style.

Background: The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has caused severe panic among people worldwide. In Italy, a nationwide state of alert was declared on January 31st, leading to the confinement of the entire population from March 11 to May 18, 2020. Isolation and quarantine measures cause psychological problems, especially for individuals who are recognized as being vulnerable. Parental bonding and attachment styles play a role in the programming of the stress response system. Here, we hypothesize that the response to restricted social contact and mobility due to the pandemic has detrimental effects on mental-psychological health and that this relationship is, at least in part, modulated by parental bonding and attachment relationships that are experienced at an early age.Methods: A sample of 68 volunteer University students was screened for psychopathological symptoms (SCL-90-R and STAI-Y), stress perception (PSS), attachment style (RQ), and parental care and overcontrol (PBI) 6 months before the confinement. In the same subjects, psychopathological symptoms and stress perception were measured again during confinement.Results: Overall, psychological health and stress management deteriorated across the entire sample during confinement. Specifically, a significant increase in phobic anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and perceived stress was observed. Notably, parental bonding and attachment styles modulated the psychological status during the lockdown. Individuals with secure attachment and high levels of parental care (high care) showed increased levels of state anxiety and perceived stress in phase 2, compared with phase 1. In contrast, individuals with insecure attachment and low levels of parental care (low care) already showed a high rate of state anxiety and perceived stress in phase 1 that did not increase further during phase 2.Conclusion: The general deterioration of psychological health in the entire sample demonstrates the pervasiveness of this stressor, a decline that is partially modulated by attachment style and parental bonding. These results implicated disparate sensitivities to environmental changes in the high- and low care groups during the lockdown, the former of which shows the greatest flexibility in the response to environment, suggesting adequate and functional response to stress in high care individuals, which is not observable in the low care group.

Humanitarian Aid Workers: The Forgotten First Responders.

Humanitarian aid workers are an overlooked population within the structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research and assistance. This negligence is an industry-wide failure to address aid workers' psychological health issues. The suspected numbers of death by suicide, diagnosed PTSD, depression, anxiety disorders, hazardous alcohol and drug consumption, emotional exhaustion, and other stress-related problems are impossible to quantify but are considered endemic. Tools for establishing organizational frameworks for mental health and psychosocial support are readily available. However, the capacity to implement this assistance requires the creation and practice of an open and non-judgmental culture, based on the realistic acceptance that aid work has become inherently dangerous. The possibility of developing a psychological problem because of aid work has increased along with the rise in levels of disease, injury, kidnapping, and assault. As a result, expressions of traumatic stress have become the norm rather than an exception. This commentary outlines the essential steps and components necessary to meet these requirements.

Social isolation alters behavior, the gut-immune-brain axis, and neurochemical circuits in male and female prairie voles

The absence of social support, or social isolation, can be stressful, leading to a suite of physical and psychological health issues. Growing evidence suggests that disruption of the gut-immune-brain axis plays a crucial role in the negative outcomes seen from social isolation stress. However, the mechanisms remain largely unknown. The socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) has been validated as a useful model for studying negative effects of social isolation on the brain and behaviors, yet how the gut microbiome and central immune system are altered in isolated prairie voles are still unknown. Here, we utilized this social rodent to examine how social isolation stress alters the gut-immune-brain axis and relevant behaviors. Adult male and female prairie voles (n = 48 per sex) experienced social isolation or were cohoused with a same-sex cagemate (control) for six weeks. Thereafter, their social and anxiety-like behaviors, neuronal circuit activation, neurochemical expression, and microgliosis in key brain regions, as well as gut microbiome alterations from the isolation treatment were examined. Social isolation increased anxiety-like behaviors and impaired social affiliation. Isolation also resulted in sex- and brain region-specific alterations in neuronal activation, neurochemical expression, and microgliosis. Further, social isolation resulted in alterations to the gut microbiome that were correlated with key brain and behavioral measures. Our data suggest that social isolation alters the gut-immune-brain axis in a sex-dependent manner and that gut microbes, central glial cells, and neurochemical systems may play a critical, integrative role in mediating negative outcomes from social isolation.

Psychological Effects of COVID-19 and Its Measures in Nepalese Medical Students.

Having to listen to the devastating daily news brought by COVID-19 since the first case was reported on 23rd January 2020 in Nepal, it has pushed the country into various crises. The issue of psychological health has been overlooked during this crisis.COVID-19 has sabotaged the psychological health of general people and more importantly medical students. It has disrupted the academics and clinical rotations of medical education. The prospect of being the future health care personnel without adequate training has destroyed the confidence and aspiration andin addition, joining the frontline against this type of deadly virus with little preparedness has instilled fear and uncertainty among them. So, concerning the context, this article focuses on the psychological effects faced by medical students and some ways to overcome this issue. Keywords: psychological effects;medical students;COVID-19.

Prevalence of Anxiety, Stress, Depression among Malaysian Adults during COVID-19 Pandemic Movement Control Order

Background: The COVID- 19 virus is not only effecting physical health, but immensely effecting on psychological health. Objective: To evaluate the psychological health issues, stress, anxiety and depression, among the adult population during the movement control period of COVID-19. Design: Research study is cross-section design, online data collection through social media and internet. Methods and Material: Online cross-sectional survey was conduct (n=716) using Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS). Statistical analysis used: descriptive statistical analyses, to highlight the prevalence rate of psychological issues and coping response using SPSS. Results: The prevalence in score of Stress 70% (Mean=2.02), Anxiety 67% (Mean=1.71) and Depression 42.3% (Mean=2.28). Conclusions: There is significant prevalence of psychological health issues among adults during the adverse unavoidable circumstance due to COVID-19 Pandemic movement control order.

Factors Associated with Psychological Health Issues in Diploma Nursing Students: A Cross-sectional Study

Psychological health is the expression of harmonic, expression of human personality, and is often disrupted by multiple factors. The aim of this study is to assess psychological health status and its associated factors among diploma nursing students. A cross-sectional study design was employed. The sample comprised 542 nursing students attending this anonymous survey by completed The Symptom Checklist 90 questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were attempted to analyze overall data. The positive rate of psychological symptoms of diploma nursing students is 20.9%; the total score of SCL-90 and the scores of each factor are higher than the national norm; grade, personality, number of friends, parenting style, love experience. Whether single children and physical exercise are influential main factors of the mental health status of diploma nursing students. The contribution of Emotional Intelligence and Spirituality are crucial to the acquisition of well-being, happiness and meaning in life.

Financial Socialization, Childhood Experiences and Financial Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Locus of Control

The present study evaluates an empirical model of financial well-being (FWB) based on early childhood consumer experiences (ECCE) and financial socialization (FS). FWB is the overall satisfaction with one’s current financial situation, and that plays a vital role in the overall success and helps to overcome psychological health issues among adults. The results of the study suggested that ECCE has a significant direct effect on the FWB among adults. Moreover, FS agents such as peers harm the financial well-being of the adults. The results also revealed that financial locus of control (LOC) mediates the relationship between FS agents such as parents, teachers, and FWB. Surprisingly, FS agent peers and ECCE do not affect the FWB of adults when LOC works as a mediator. Possibly, when adults socialize more with parents and teachers, they often disregard the role of peers. Adults’ belief and confidence in their skills are vital in explaining the above relationships. Educationists and practitioners should focus on improving discussions with parents and teachers about the financial matters that result in improvements in financial well-being. The present study also provides theoretical and practical implications for adults, parents, and policymakers.

Stress and sleeping disorders among international students of the University of Georgia

Abstract Background Psycho-physiological factors play a major role in the well-being of students. Available studies have shown that students' sleep habits and stress levels are changing dramatically, especially international students are affected negatively. Increased stress level is associated with decreased cognitive functioning, which negatively affects their academic performance. The main aim of this study was to evaluate sleep disturbance and stress level among international students of the University of Georgia (UG). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 100 randomly selected foreign and local students of UG. Self-administrated questionnaire was used to evaluate students' stress level and sleeping habits. Local students of UG were selected as a control group. Results The study found high prevalence of stress (47%) and sleep deprivation (64%) among international students. The students are facing severe psychological health issues, such as: stress, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and behavioral problems. The results of the survey also revealed that 43% of all respondents had stress and sleep disorders, stress factors were similar for both groups. The study identified two common stress and sleep disorders among international and local students: stress and sleep problems due to changing lifestyle and due to new education system. However, several stress factors such as: different language, homesickness and cultural differences also contributed to the increased stress. Conclusions Our study identified that international students of the University of Georgia face stress and sleep deprivation. Stress related to their academic performance contributed significantly to sleep disorders. Key messages More research is recommended to better examine psychological health state of international students of the University of Georgia. More interventional programs are needed to support international students’ better integration and academic performance.

Mental health status of refugee children

Abstract Background A number of refugees and asylum seekers have increased dramatically in recent years. More than 250 million people worldwide are considered as refugees (United Nations High Commission for Refugees, 2018), among whom more than 50% are children. General health and especially psychological health of the refugee and asylum seeking children are an emerging, however, not well explored issues. In this study, we aimed to review the literature on the psychological health of refugee children. Methods We performed a literature search and descriptive analysis of studies published until July 2019, through MEDLINE and Science Direct databases. We identified literature on psychological health state of refugee and asylum seeking children. We analysed results of 16 studies. Results The study found that refugee children are facing severe psychological health issues, such as Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, behavioural problems. We identified 3 phases of psychological trauma and stress among refugee children: stress due to conflict in their home countries, stress during migration, and upon the arrival to host country. Our analysis reviled integration difficulties such as racism and bulling as important stress factors for the refugee children. Studies found that prevalence of PTSD is more than 54% among refugee children residing in Norway, significantly higher than in reference population. The studies identified the need of regular mental health assessment and preventive care, psychological counselling services for the refugee children. All included studies showed significantly higher stress among refugee children when compared to local children in host countries. Conclusions Rehabilitation services and follow-up supportive programs should be implemented to improve the mental health status of refugee children; these interventions will also contribute to their better integration. Key messages Screening and regular monitoring provided by host countries healthcare system is crucial to identify high risk children. More research is needed to better investigate the psychological health state and needs of refugee children.

Depressive symptoms, professional quality of life and turnover intention in Korean nurses.

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of depressive symptoms and professional quality of life on turnover intention. The high turnover rate of nurses is a critical healthcare issue globally. Nurses often experience depressive symptoms and compassion fatigue due to the efforts of patient care. The impact of such psychological health issues on turnover intention needs to be confirmed. Participants were 10163 female nurses who completed an online or mobile survey using the Korea Nurses' Health Study. To identify the influencing factors on the turnover intention of nurses, descriptive statistics, spearman's correlation coefficients and multivariable ordinal logistic regression were performed. The turnover intention increased by about 2.81-4.60 times when depressive symptom was moderate or more, 1.14 times when secondary traumatic stress disorder was moderate or more, and 1.54 times when burnout was moderate or more. When compassion satisfaction was moderate or high, the turnover intention decreased by 0.72 and 0.52 times. Korean nurses demonstrated high levels of depressive symptoms, secondary traumatic stress and burnout, while demonstrating lower levels of compassion satisfaction. The results of this study demonstrate that depressive symptoms, secondary traumatic stress, burnout and compassion satisfaction affect turnover intention. To reduce nurses' turnover intention, it is necessary to reduce depressive symptoms and enhance the quality of professional life. Hospital managers need to maintain adequate nurse-to-patient ratios and provide nurses with a supportive work environment. Also, health policymakers need to identify factors affecting hospital nurses' turnover intention and provide strategies to address them. These conditions may reduce the excessive workload placed on nurses, thereby preventing depression and burnout and improving nurses' quality of work-life.

Linking Diversity and Mental Health: Task Conflict Mediates Between Perceived Subgroups and Emotional Exhaustion.

Diversity and psychological health issues at the workplace are pressing issues in today’s organizations. However, research linking two fields is scant. To bridge this gap, drawing from team faultline research, social categorization theory, and the job-demands resources model, we propose that perceiving one’s team as fragmented into subgroups increases strain. We further argue that this relationship is mediated by task conflict and relationship conflict and that it is moderated by psychological empowerment and task interdependence. Multilevel structural equation models on a two-wave sample consisting of 536 participants from 107 work teams across various industries and work contexts partially supported the hypotheses: task conflict did indeed mediate the positive relationships between perceived subgroups and emotional exhaustion while relationship conflict did not; effects on stress symptoms were absent. Moreover, contrary to our expectations, neither empowerment, nor task interdependence moderated the mediation. Results indicate that team diversity can constitute a job demand that can affect psychological health. Focusing on the mediating role of task conflict, we offer a preliminary process model to guide future research at the crossroads of diversity and psychological health at work.