Psychological Impact Of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Research Articles

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 among Health-care Workers in Nepal: An Analytical Cross-sectional Study

Context: Many psychological problems including stress, anxiety, insomnia, depression, frustration, denial, anger, and fear emerged during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Aims: This study was done to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, and fear experienced by health-care workers (HWs) during COVID-19 in Nepal. Settings and Design: This was web-based analytical cross-sectional study conducted among health-care workers from December 27, 2020, to February 28, 2021, all over Nepal. Subjects and Methods: All the HWs including doctors, nurses, and allied health-care professional from 7 provinces were selected using convenience sampling technique. Data collection was done using the validated questionnaires. Statistical Analysis Used: Univariate and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to find the association between the different variables. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 608 HWs completed the survey with a mean age of 30.82 ± 6.68. About 27% had symptoms of depression, 28% anxiety, 10% stress, 18% insomnia, and 49.8% fear of COVID-19. Resident doctors and health workers who had bachelor level of education and working experience <2 years were significantly associated with higher odds of experiencing depression and anxiety. Health workers working 2–5 years and with more than 5 years' experience had significantly lower odds of experiencing fear. History of tobacco use or medical condition had significantly higher odds of experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, and fear. Conclusions: This study concluded that the prevalence of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and fear was found to be high. Resident doctors and health workers with bachelor level of education, working experience <2 years, and history of medical condition were significantly associated with experiencing adverse mental health outcomes.

Psychological Impact of Coronavirus Disease-2019 on Healthcare Workers

Purpose We studied the psychological impact of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on employees at an urban tertiary care center in the United States' mid-Atlantic region. Methods A Research Electronic Data Capture, or REDCap, survey was completed by 1,116 employees who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic at the tertiary care center. Data included findings from a demographic survery, the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 7 (GAD-7). A series of Chi- square and, as appropriate, Fisher's Exact tests were performed to compare outcomes among healthcare workers. Results Healthcare employees who had direct contact with patients during the pandemic had significantly higher scores (increased impairment) on the GAD-7 (P<.05), PHQ-9 (P<.001), and IES-R scales (P<.01). Employees with prior psychiatric diagnoses had significantly higher scores on those same corresponding psychological measures (P<.001). Employees who identified with a set of spiritual beliefs had significantly lower scores on the GAD-7 (P<.001) and PHQ-9 (P<.01). Employees reporting five or more years of work experience had lower markers of distress across measures (P<.05). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound psychological effect on healthcare workers. Our findings point to patient contact and prior psychologic distress as risk factors for impairment, while employee spirituality and prior work experience appear to mitigate risk. Healthcare leaders may use our findings to help employees cope with health crises.

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Community Pharmacists: A Cross-Sectional Study in Lusaka District, Zambia

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused serious health problems globally. This has included increased psychological challenges among frontline healthcare workers (HCWs). Community pharmacists are critical in the fight against COVID-19 and in sensitising the public about vaccinations and other public health interventions. However, little is known about the psychological impact of COVID-19 and the acceptance of vaccinations among community pharmacists in Zambia. Therefore, this study assessed the psychological impact of COVID-19 among community pharmacists in Lusaka, Zambia.

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers in Africa, Associated Factors and Coping Mechanisms: A Systematic Review

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health problem that has caused harm to the mental health of healthcare workers. In Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic has led healthcare workers to experience mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia and burnout. This study aimed to review published studies on the effect of COVID-19 on the mental health of healthcare workers, associated factors and coping strategies that have been employed in Africa. Methods: This was a systematic review that was conducted through searching databases including; PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar. The study included published literature from January 2020 to May 2022 that met the inclusion criteria. The selection of articles was conducted following the 2020 PRISMA guidelines. Results: A total of 39 articles were retrieved, of which only 18 met the inclusion criteria and were used in this study. Our review revealed that healthcare workers experienced mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress and burnout that were associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Coping strategies such as religious practices, support from family members and colleagues and avoiding listening to social media about COVID-19 were used to minimize mental health problems. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased mental health disorders among healthcare workers in Africa. Identification of factors associated with mental health problems is cardinal in developing coping mechanisms against the psychological impact of COVID-19. Therefore, there is a need for governments to develop and implement strategies for protecting the mental health of healthcare workers during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract- Poster

Background • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and lockdown has caused negative impact on mental health status of health care workers including the physiotherapists as physiotherapists are also involved in the care of patients with COVID-19 infection.• Taking care of COVID-19 infected patients can be exhaustive both physically and mentally due to involved risk of contracting the disease which may prove fatal for some.• Due to ongoing lockdown many physiotherapists are not able to work either fully or partially as per their potential. So, physiotherapists like other health care workers are not immune to mental health impacts of COVID-19 lockdown. Aim• To assess relationship between psychological impact of COVID-19 in the form of anxiety and depression, and the resilience among physiotherapists.Methods• Data were collected from total 378 physiotherapists.• Beck’s depression inventory (BDI), generalized anxiety disorder 7 item (GAD-7) scale, and brief resilience scale (BRS) were used to assess depression, anxiety, and resilience respectively among the study participants.• Data were analyzed by using SPSS 15 and, Chi-sqaure, Fisher exact, and Person’s correlation tests.Results• Prevalence of anxiety and depression were 37.8% and 31% respectively.• As regards the resilience, 2.9% had high, 74.3% had normal, and 22.8% had low resilience levels.• Physiotherapists who had high level of resilience had lower rates of anxiety on GAD-7 and lower rates of depression on BDI.Conclusion• Strengthening the resilience of physiotherapists can promote their mental health in longer run in face of stressful event like COVID-19 lockdown.• So, resilience strengthening programs must be the priority.

Abstract- Poster

Background • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a rapidly evolving as well as a psychologically distressful situation.• Undergraduate (UG) Health sciences students (HSSs) are prone to depression, anxiety, and stress during such pandemic period due to the negative impact of COVID-19 lockdown on their academics. Aim• To assess the mental health impact of COVID-19 lockdown and its relationship with the resilience among undergraduate health sciences students.Method• Data were collected from undergraduate health sciences students by using Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale – 21 item (DASS -21) which was used to assess mental health impact of COVID-19 and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) which was used to assess the level of Resilience among study participants.• Data were analyzed by using SPSS 15, Chi-square, Fisher exact and Pearson’s correlation tests.Results• The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress were 7.6%, 6.3%, and 1.0% respectively.• As regards resilience, 1.3%, 56.7%, and 42.0% had high, normal, and low levels respectively.• Those study participants with high resilience had lower rates depression, anxiety, and stress as the psychological impact of COVID-19 lockdown.Conclusion• Resilience acts as a protective factor against depression, anxiety, and stress due to COVID-19 lockdown.• Hence, programs to strengthen the resilience among undergraduate health sciences students must be the priority which can have preventing value during stressful period of pandemics.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers: cross-sectional analyses from 14 countries.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been impacted psychologically due to their professional responsibilities over the prolonged era of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The study aimed to identify the predictors of psychological distress, fear, and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic among HCWs. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among self-identified HCWs across 14 countries (12 from Asia and two from Africa). The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and the Brief Resilient Coping Scale were used to assess the psychological distress, fear, and coping of HCWs, respectively. A total of 2447 HCWs participated; 36% were doctors, and 42% were nurses, with a mean age of 36 (±12) years, and 70% were females. Moderate to very-high psychological distress was prevalent in 67% of the HCWs; the lowest rate was reported in the United Arab Emirates (1%) and the highest in Indonesia (16%). The prevalence of high levels of fear was 20%; the lowest rate was reported in Libya (9%) and the highest in Egypt (32%). The prevalence of medium-to-high resilient coping was 63%; the lowest rate was reported in Libya (28%) and the highest in Syria (76%). COVID-19 has augmented the psychological distress among HCWs. Factors identified in this study should be considered in managing the wellbeing of HCWs, who had been serving as the frontline drivers in managing the crisis successfully across all participating countries. Furthermore, interventions to address their psychological distress should be considered.

The psychological impact of COVID-19 on people suffering from dysfunctional eating behaviours: a linguistic analysis of the contents shared in an online community during the lockdown.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread several months ago from China and it is now a global pandemic. The experience of lockdown has been an undesirable condition for people with mental health problems, including eating disorders. The present study has the aim of understanding the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with selfreported disordered eating behaviours. A linguistic analysis was carried out with regard to the online posts and comments published by 1971 individuals (86% women) in a Facebook online community focusing on EDs during the lockdown. A total of 244 posts and 3603 comments were collected during the 56 days of lockdown (from the 10th of March until the 4th of May 2020) in Italy and were analysed by Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software. The results showed that words related to peer support decreased in posts over time, and that anxiety and anger increased in the published comments. Moreover, greater feelings of negativity and anxiety were found in posts and comments throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as lesser use of words related to positive emotions. Thematic qualitative analysis revealed eight themes that described the main subjective components of ED symptomatology and distress during the first COVID-19 lockdown. The current findings can help in delivering tailored treatments to people with eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Interns' Education, Training, and Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and objectivesThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has challenged healthcare systems worldwide. Various studies have revealed the negative impact of the pandemic on the education and mental health of medical students and residents. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical interns’ educational experience, clinical practice, and mental health. We also engage in a discussion on the compensatory methods that have been adopted to improve medical interns’ learning processes during the ongoing pandemic.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted at the King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from March to October 2020. The participants consisted of medical interns. The survey collected information on participants’ demographics, training, and the educational and psychological impact of the pandemic.ResultsThe survey was distributed to 480 medical interns, of whom 345 (71.8%) participated. Most of our sample (75.6%) believed that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted their cumulative experience. Regarding the pandemic’s impact on training and education, it was found that the emergency department rotation was the most affected rotation (60.3%). The majority of the participants (55.9%) believed that all tracks have received equal education and the volume of patients seen by interns decreased by 91.9%. As for the compensatory methods, 73.3% reported the utilization of remote platforms. Regarding the pandemic’s mental health impact, 36% believed that it has affected their mental health, where increased stress levels were noticed in 47.8% of participants. Statistical significance was found in both Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scores, which indicated that during the pandemic, 20.6% of the participants suffered from depression, and 13.9% had moderate to severe anxiety.ConclusionsThis study highlights the negative educational and psychological impact of COVID-19 on medical interns. With emerging infectious diseases on the rise, recognizing the impact of COVID-19 on medical interns is vital to improving interns’ educational experiences and mental health during future crises.

Increased occurrence of PTSD symptoms in adolescents with major depressive disorder soon after the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in China: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundThe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to threaten the physical and mental health of people across the world. This study aimed to understand the psychological impact of this disease on adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) at 1 month after the start of the outbreak in China.MethodsUsing the Children’s Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-13) questionnaire, we investigated the occurrence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in two groups of adolescents: MDD patients who were in continuous antidepressant therapy and healthy controls. Total scores and factor subscores were compared between the two groups and subgroups stratified by sex and school grade. Logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with high total CRIES-13 scores.ResultsCompared to controls (n = 107), the MDD group (n = 90) had higher total CRIES-13 scores and a higher proportion with a total score ≥ 30. They also had a lower intrusion subscore and a higher arousal subscore. In the MDD group, males and females did not differ significantly in total CRIES-13 scores or factor subscores, but junior high school students had higher avoidance subscores than senior high school students. Logistic regression showed high total CRIES-13 scores to be associated with MDD and the experience of “flashbacks” or avoidance of traumatic memories associated with COVID-19.ConclusionsIt is crucial to understand the psychological impact of COVID-19 on adolescents with MDD in China, especially females and junior high school students. Long-term monitoring of adolescents with a history of mental illness is required to further understand these impacts.Trial registrationChiCTR, ChiCTR2000033402, Registered 31 May 2020,

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Frontline Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia

This study assesses the determinants and severity of psychological distress among frontline Ministry of Health workers within Saudi Arabia during the rapid acceleration phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. Moreover, we assess distress sustainability and stress-coping behaviors. We conducted an online national cross-sectional survey. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (k10) is a highly reliable instrument used to assess depression and anxiety. We evaluated stress-coping behavior and the persistence of the disorders. Binary logistic regression identified the sociodemographic factors related to severe distress.The prevalence of severe psychological distress among COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) was 27.3%. Factors associated with severe psychological distress in multiple regression analyses were male gender (p < 0.001), working for >45 hours/week (p = 0.009), age of >40 years (p = 0.038), years of experience for more than seven years (p = 0.048), Asir region (p = 0.003), and using psychological services (p < 0.001). The prevalence of severe psychological distress was 27.3%. Factors associated with severe psychological distress in multiple regression analyses were male gender, working >45 hours/week, age, years of experience, region, and using psychological services. The results form a foundation for targeted psychological health support services at the individual and institutional levels to prevent progression to mental illness.

The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Among Pakistani Adults in Lahore.

Background: In the wake of the worldwide spread of the novel coronavirus and the resultant restrictive measures, mental health has become a crucial issue. Physical health is not the only aspect of humans that is at risk. Globally, the rates and severity of mental illness are being significantly impacted by this pandemic. Two scales have been validated to measure the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the levels of anxiety and obsessional thinking in clinical and non-clinical populations. The present study was designed to investigate the levels of anxiety and obsessions related to COVID-19 in the general public of Lahore, Pakistan.Materials and Methods: Data were collected via snowball sampling from May 9 to May 19. An online survey consisting of a demographic profile and two scales, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS), was sent through email, WhatsApp, and Facebook groups to adults (18 years and above) of Lahore, Pakistan.Results: A total of 240 individuals (20% men and 80% women) recorded their responses. The majority belonged to a nuclear family system (60%), and their education level ranged from high school to Ph.D. The cut-off score for probable dysfunctional coronavirus anxiety and obsession levels was not met within this sample (CAS, M = 3.24, SD = 4.21; OCS, M = 4.14, SD = 3.15), suggesting that the general population of Lahore, Pakistan is not suffering from dysfunctional anxiety or obsessions related to COVID-19. Forty-seven participants' score on OCS and 35 participants' scores on CAS were above the cut-off, i.e., ≥7 and ≥9, respectively. The results of the correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship (**p < 0.619) between anxiety and obsessions related to COVID-19.Conclusion: One important, yet surprising, conclusion of this study is that the average adult in Lahore does not show much anxiety or obsessions related to COVID-19. Other studies around the world using these measurement tools have indicated significantly high levels of both anxiety and obsessions related to COVID-19. These findings may demonstrate the resilience of Pakistanis or perhaps the lack of understanding of the seriousness of the situation.

The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Providers in Obstetrics: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

Objective: To assess the psychological distress of healthcare providers (HCPs) working in the field of obstetrics during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to identify factors associated with psychological distress at the individual, interpersonal, and organizational level.Design: Cross-sectional survey study.Setting: Four University hospitals in Italy.Participants: HCPs working in obstetrics, including gynecologists, residents in gynecology and obstetrics, and midwives.Methods: The 104-item survey Impatto PSIcologico COVID-19 in Ostetricia (IPSICO) was created by a multidisciplinary expert panel and administered to HCPs in obstetrics in May 2020 via a web-based platform.Main Outcome Measures: Psychological distress assessed by the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) included in the IPSICO survey.Results: The response rate to the IPSICO survey was 88.2% (503/570), and that for GHQ-12 was 84.4% (481/570). Just over half (51.1%; 246/481) of the GHQ-12 respondents reported a clinically significant level of psychological distress (GHQ-12 ≥3). Psychological distress was associated with either individual (i.e., female gender, stressful experience related to COVID-19, exhaustion, and the use of dysfunctional coping strategies), interpersonal (i.e., lower family support, limitations in interactions with colleagues), and organizational (i.e., reduced perception of protection by personal protective equipment, perceived delays on updates and gaps in information on the pandemic) factors in dealing with the pandemic.Conclusions: Results confirm the need for monitoring and assessing the psychological distress for HCPs in obstetrics. Interventions at the individual, interpersonal, and organizational level may relieve the psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic and foster resilience skills in facing emotional distress.

COVID-19 and radiotherapy: impact on work and personal life of Lombardy residents during first lockdown, survey endorsed by AIRO Young.

Since 20 February 2020, Lombardy has been one of the most affected areas worldwide by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study is to evaluate work and psychological impact of COVID-19 on Lombardy radiation therapy (RT) residents in the first 3 months of the outbreak (first lockdown). An online questionnaire (22 multiple choice questions) via Microsoft Forms was administered on 30 May 2020 to RT residents. Nineteen Lombardy RT residents responded to the survey. Nineteen percent of residents underwent a nasal swab and 11% were quarantined. Seventeen residents (89%) reported an increase in workload. Twelve residents (63%) did not find any difference in terms of work distress; worsening was highlighted in 5 cases (26%). The majority has never considered the possibility of stopping work due to excessive stress (89%). Almost all the residents experienced self- or relative-referred apprehension (95%). Ninety-five percent reported having missed extra-work social relationships. Most of the sample noted worsening sleep quality and difficulty concentrating (69%). No residents requested psychological support, even if provided by the hospital. Overall, the residents adapted to the new workplace scenario, although some health risks and well-being challenges have been reported. An extension of the survey to all Italian RT residents endorsed by Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology "Young AIRO" will allow an evaluation of COVID-19 impact on a national level. A second survey is planned to underline differences between the first lockdown and the current situation of the pandemic.

Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on irritable bowel syndrome.

Background and AimGastrointestinal manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic may mimic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and social distancing measures may affect IBS patients negatively. We aimed to study the impact of COVID‐19 on respondents with self‐reported IBS.MethodsWe conducted an anonymized survey from May to June 2020 in 33 countries. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices on personal hygiene and social distancing as well as psychological impact of COVID‐19 were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed to determine differences in well‐being and compliance to social distancing measures between respondents with and without self‐reported IBS. Factors associated with improvement or worsening of IBS symptoms were evaluated.ResultsOut of 2704 respondents, 2024 (74.9%) did not have IBS, 305 (11.3%) had self‐reported IBS, and 374 (13.8%) did not know what IBS was. Self‐reported IBS respondents reported significantly worse emotional, social, and psychological well‐being compared with non‐IBS respondents and were less compliant to social distancing measures (28.2% vs 35.3%, P = 0.029); 61.6% reported no change, 26.6% reported improvement, and 11.8% reported worsening IBS symptoms. Higher proportion of respondents with no change in IBS symptoms were willing to practice social distancing indefinitely versus those who deteriorated (74.9% vs 51.4%, P = 0.016). In multivariate analysis, willingness to continue social distancing for another 2–3 weeks (vs longer period) was significantly associated with higher odds of worsening IBS.ConclusionOur study showed that self‐reported IBS respondents had worse well‐being and compliance to social distancing measures than non‐IBS respondents. Future research will focus on occupational stress and dietary changes during COVID‐19 that may influence IBS.

The Collateral Impact of COVID-19 Emergency on Neonatal Intensive Care Units and Family-Centered Care: Challenges and Opportunities.

The ongoing Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is disrupting most specialized healthcare services worldwide, including those for high-risk newborns and their families. Due to the risk of contagion, critically ill infants, relatives and professionals attending neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are undergoing a profound remodeling of the organization and quality of care. In particular, mitigation strategies adopted to combat the COVID-19 pandemic may hinder the implementation of family-centered care within the NICU. This may put newborns at risk for several adverse effects, e.g., less weight gain, more nosocomial infections, increased length of NICU stay as well as long-term worse cognitive, emotional, and social development. This article aims to contribute to deepening the knowledge on the psychological impact of COVID-19 on parents and NICU staff members based on empirical data from the literature. We also provided evidence-based indications on how to safely empower families and support NICU staff facing such a threatening emergency, while preserving the crucial role of family-centered developmental care practices.

Cochlear implant habilitation during Covid-19 pandemic: A parents' perspective

Aim and Objectives: The current study was undertaken to assess the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on cochlear implant rehabilitation of children with congenital nonsyndromic bilateral severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The objectives were to find out the psychological impact of COVID-19 on parents of children with cochlear implant habilitation, to assess the performance of children with cochlear implant habilitation through teletherapy, and to analyze the problems faced by the parents to obtain the professional hearing health-care services for their cochlear implanted children. Materials and Methods: An online questionnaire survey was conducted among the parents of children who had undergone cochlear implantation (CI) consequent to congenital severe-to-profound SNHL. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, these children were receiving regular auditory verbal therapy (AVT) including visits to the Centre for audiological services (mapping and troubleshooting of the speech processor). Results: The online questionnaire survey has undertaken. A total of 50 parents were participated in this study. All the parents are unanimously reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected them in the form of accessing the professional health-care services for regular mapping and troubleshooting of the speech processor and also their children's rehabilitation. However, active involvement between the health-care professionals and the parents through video consultation and tele AVT has definitely helped the children to a great extent. Conclusion: The present study emphasizes the great challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic for continued rehabilitation of CI children. The innovative digital media technology helps in addressing such medical issues through telemedicine, teleaudiology, and teletherapy.

A cross-sectional online survey of relationship between the psychological impact of coronavirus disease 2019 and the resilience among postgraduate health sciences students from Maharashtra, India

Introduction: Because of the rapid global spread, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a state of an emergency situation. Postgraduate (PG) health sciences students (HSSs) are the frontline healthcare workers who are susceptible to psychological issues like depression, anxiety and stress during such stressful pandemic period. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between the psychological issues such as depression, anxiety and stress and the level of resilience among PG HSSs during the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional online survey was conducted by the department of Psychiatry of tertiary health care center from Maharashtra state of India over a 10 days period (from April 15, 2020 to April 24, 2020), with a sample size of 195 which was calculated by using the formula of sample size calculation for the cross-sectional study design. Data were collected using the purposive sampling method from the PG HSSs. Data were recorded from the study participants in an online structured questionnaire prepared for the study using the sociodemographic details and the two scales namely Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 item (DASS-21) and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). DASS-21 scale was used to assess the presence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress, while BRS scale was used to assess the level of resilience among the PG HSSs. Data were collected and analyzed using the SPSS software version 15.0, Fisher's exact test, and Pearson's correlation test.Results: Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress were 43.1%, 68.7%, and 11.3%, respectively. There was a high positive correlation between all three subscales of DASS-21 (depression, anxiety, and stress subscales). On BRS, 2 (1.0%) study participants had high resilience, 120 (61.5%) had normal resilience, and 73 (37.5%)Conclusion: Study concluded that significant proportion of PG HSSs had psychological impact of COVID-19 in the form of depression, anxiety and stress. Programs such as timely evaluation of mental health status and stress management to address these psychological issues should be a priority. In long terms, increasing the resilience of PG HSSs can have protective value against the psychological issues during the stressful events of infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19 pandemic.The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Medical knowledge, Patient care, Professionalism, Practice based learning and improvement.

Before and after the Quarantine: An Approximate Study on the Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on the Italian Population during the Lockdown Period

COVID-19 (Corona-Virus Disease 2019) in Italy and the measures that were adopted to contain its diffusion had a strong impact on people’s quality of life and mental health. The objective of the study was to quantify the psychological impact of the lockdown period on the general Italian population during the two weeks when the COVID-19 emergency in Italy was at its peak. The study (1556 adults) was conducted from April 6th to April 12th, 2020. A survey was developed through Google Forms in order to assess different psychological measures (Self Efficacy, Locus of Control, Social Connectedness, Sense of Virtual Community, Flourishing, Positive and Negative Affect, Life Satisfaction, and Risk Propensity). The results were then compared to reference data. Thelockdown period increased arousal mainly for negative emotions, but also for positive emotions, and quality of life seemed to be reduced. From a psychosocial point of view, while social connectedness has decreased during lockdown, probably because of isolation and social distancing, the virtual social community seemed to increase in the same period. Interestingly, we revealed how self efficacy increased during the lockdown period, and, at the same time, the Locus of control appeared as externalized, and the risk propensity as reduced. The results are discussed considering previous literature, and a coherent theoretical framework is proposed in order to refine the forecasting model for the psychological impact of the lockdown.

COVID-19 Related Distress Is Associated With Alcohol Problems, Social Media and Food Addiction Symptoms: Insights From the Italian Experience During the Lockdown.

Background: Several scholars hypothesize that one of the most negative impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis would concern the increase of prevalence and severity of both substances and behavioral addiction. Despite the general concerns about the increase of prevalence and severity of addictions related to the COVID-19 emergency, few data are still available. Thus, the main aim of this study was to investigate the association between COVID-19 related distress and: (i) alcohol problems, (ii) social media addiction (SMA) symptoms, (iii) food addiction (FA) symptoms.Methods: A national online-survey was carried out during the Italian lockdown (i.e., 9 March 2020–4 May 2020). In the current study, 1,519 participants (365 men and 1,154 women, mean age: 28.49 ± 10.89 years) were included. The survey included socio-demographic related items (e.g., age, sex, residential regions, education level, civil status, tobacco use, etc.), as well as ad-hoc developed questions aimed to investigate COVID-19 related variables (e.g., isolation/quarantine, personal diagnosis to COVID-19, friends or relatives with COVID-19 diagnosis, etc.). Participants also completed the following self-report measures in order to investigate: the psychological impact of COVID-19, alcohol problems, SMA symptoms, FA symptoms, and impulsivity.Results: The psychological impact of COVID-19 was independently associated with alcohol problems (β = 0.058, p = 0.043), SMA symptoms (β = 0.259, p < 0.001), and FA symptoms (β = 0.150, p < 0.001).Conclusion: Taken together, our results seem to confirm the general concerns about the negative impacts of the COVID-19 emergency on addictive behaviors, suggesting that this issue should be carefully monitored.