Mental Health-related Issues Research Articles

The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Women in the Households: Qualitative Analysis of Women’s Quality of Life and Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a reflective tremor worldwide, with different implications for men and women while affecting all aspects of human beings. Accordingly, this pandemic has affected women in unique gender-specific ways, particularly their traditional status as household managers. The main aim of this study is to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the quality of life and the mental health of women in Sri Lanka using qualitative research methods. The information for the study was gathered through semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 50 respondents selected using a purposive sampling technique. The collected data from the interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The findings of the study indicated that quality of life and mental health difficulties have been exacerbated during the pandemic for many women in households in Sri Lanka. Due to the pandemic, income and consumption levels have significantly changed within the households and that has adversely impacted the quality of life of women. Government-imposed restrictions on COVID-19 have had both adverse and propitious impacts on women’s social interactions. Accordingly, it has also affected the mental health of women. This study will assist policymakers in understanding and devising appropriate policies considering the quality of life and mental health-related issues faced by women in households during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mental Health Issues and Coping Mechanism adopted by Primary Healthcare Workers against COVID-19: A Study in Northwestern State of India

Background: The healthcare providers (HCWs) of primary health facilities suffered with dual burden of work, as they had to deliver COVID-19 related services along with routine work, which put immense strain on their capacities. Objective: To assess the prevalence of mental health issues among HCWs of public primary health facilities and understand the coping mechanisms adopted by them during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: It is a cross-sectional study, conducted by administering telephonic and self-administered questionnaires with a sample of 272 HCWs from 24 public primary healthcare facilities of 13 districts in the state of Rajasthan. Result: 76.2% had a fear of getting infected, whereas 56.3% were not able to spend time with family, and 41% had less time for rest while working in the pandemic. The pandemic impacted the lives of HCWs beyond the workplace, significantly affecting their personal lives as well, leading to mental health-related issues. 53% of HCWs experienced depression ‘sometimes’, followed by anger, boredom, irritability, and fear. Age and type of residence were found to be significantly associated with mental health issues. Exercise (44.9%), followed by yoga (29.4%), and meditation (22.8%) were a few coping mechanisms adopted by HCWs. Conclusion: The impact of COVID-19 on mental health varied with the background characteristics like age, sex, residence, workplace, and nature of work. There is a need to create a resilient health system to support s in primary health facilities.

Nigerian and Ghanaian Young People's Experiences of Care for Common Mental Disorders in Inner London: Protocol for a Multimethod Investigation.

The Care Quality Commission published a review in 2018 in England titled "Are We Listening," which revealed that child and adolescent mental health services are not responsive to the specific needs of young Black people and other ethnic minorities even in areas with ethnically diverse populations. It found that commissioners and service planners failed to engage with these young people and their families to understand their needs and expectations. The purpose of this study is to engage Nigerian and Ghanaian young people (NAGYP) with experiences of care for common mental disorders (CMDs) in London, to increase understanding of their needs, and to give voice to their views and preferences. Their parents', caregivers', and practitioners' views will also be sought for service improvement. Three combined contemporary complementary methodologies-thematic analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), and intersectionality-based policy analysis (IBPA)-will be used across 3 comprehensive phases. First, a scoping review where relevant themes will be critically analyzed will inform further phases of this study. Detailed mapping of community and mental health care services in 13 inner London boroughs to investigate what professionals actually do rather than what they say they do. Second, IBPA will be used to scrutinize improving access to psychological therapies and other legislations and policies relevant to NAGYP to undertake an intersectional multileveled analysis of power, models, and constraints. Third, IPA will "give voice" and "make sense" of NAGYP lived experiences of CMDs via a representative sample of NAGYP participants' (n=30) aged 16-25 years, parents or caregivers' (n=20), and practitioners' (n=20) perspectives will be captured. The study has been approved by the UCL Institute of Education Research Ethics Committee (Z6364106/2022/02/28; health research) and University College London (Z6364106/2022/10/24; social research). Recruitment has begun in 13 inner boroughs of London. Data collection through observation, semistructured interviews, and focus groups are expected to be finalized by early 2024, and the study will be published by early 2025. Combining multiple qualitative methodologies and methods will enable rigorous investigation into NAGYP's lived experiences of care received for CMDs in London. Findings from this study should enable a reduction in the negative connotations and harmful superstitions associated with mental health-related issues in this group, inform evidence-based interventions, and facilitate preventive or early access to interventions. There may also be an indirect impact on problems resulting from mental illness such as school dropout, antisocial behaviors, knife crimes, juvenile detention centers, and even death. PRR1-10.2196/42575.

11.F. Workshop: Can digital health literacy act as a protective factor for students in times of crisis?

Abstract As mental health related issues become more and more prevalent across all ages and social groups around the globe, the identification of protective factors related to well-being is of high importance. In times of the COVID-19-pandemic, this proves to be even more crucial. Young adults and especially students were particularly burdened by social isolation and missing opportunities for personal exchange and supporting relationships during the pandemic. Within this workshop we will discuss the significance of a possible protective factor for the promotion and strengthening of well-being: digital health literacy (DHL). It involves the ability to search for health-related information, to add self-generated content, to evaluate the reliability of health information, to determine the relevance of health information and to protect one's privacy. Findings suggest that it plays a vital part as a protective resource when it comes to maintaining or promoting well-being. This might be particularly the case when the possibility of accessing health-related information is restricted due to reduced social contact. Since important sources for health information are available within the digital space, digital competencies are becoming important to access such information and to conduct a successful and healthy life. The competence of adequately dealing with digital health information, in particular, became more relevant during the COVID-19-pandemic. DHL can be seen as a two-dimensional construct. On the one hand, it refers to the ability to use digital resources to gather health information and, on the other hand, it refers to critical information literacy. Critical information literacy is the ability to collect, understand, evaluate and apply information. Within the proposed workshop, findings of a university survey, conducted within the global COVID-HL network, will be presented. Presentation 1 seeks to address the role of individual factors for the interaction between well-being and DHL. It will further examine the importance of being able to properly assess the relevance of health information. Presentation 2 sheds light on actions, such as adding self-generated health content, when it comes to mental health promotion. It will also take up the relevant individual factors that mediate the relationship between DHL and well-being. Presentation 3 highlights the ability of students to search for health-related information and to use it as a factor to improve their well-being. Presentation 4 provides insight into the importance of DHL for future health professionals in a health sector that is under digital transformation. Lastly, presentation 5 argues for the necessary enhancement of DHL and sense of coherence of students and stresses the need for health promoting and target group specific interventions. In a second step, the audience will be encouraged to ask questions and to engage in a discussion about the suggested conclusions and implications. Key messages • It has been shown internationally that there is a strong relationship between digital health literacy and students’ well-being. • Individual factors are relevant mediators in the relationship between well-being and digital health literacy.

Young Adult’s Mental Health Literacy in Relation to Depression and Their Attitudes Towards Complementary Medicine Practice

Depression and mental health-related issues are increasingly prevalent in young adolescents and adults and so is the use of Complementary Therapies (CTs) to treat depression. Systematic reviews have found that, of all CTs, acupuncture, exercise, and the herbal remedy St John’s Wort have the greatest amount of evidence for efficacy in treating depression. We aimed to assess Mental Health Literacy (MHL) levels in the treatment of depression and Complementary Therapy’s (CT) usage in adolescents and adults. Surveys were distributed to a pre-existing cohort of community women; and a group of young athletes and university students (n = 156, aged ≥16 years). Participant’s level of MHL and the CT’s usage for their personal health was assessed. MHL regarding the identification of depressive symptoms was low, particularly in males aged under 35 years. The majority (59%) of participants utilized CTs 12 months prior to survey completion. Evidence-based professional services were perceived more helpful than self-help methods in treating depressive symptoms. Our findings support previous research indicating high levels of use of CTs. Whilst there was a favorable regard for professional services, greater education regarding the identification of depressive symptoms in young men is needed to improve the MHL in this population.

Perceived influence of alcohol consumption, substance use, and mental health on PrEP adherence and condom use among PrEP-prescribed gay, bisexual, and other men-who-have-sex-with-men: a qualitative investigation

BackgroundGay, bisexual, and other men-who-have-sex-with-men (GBMSM) continue to be disproportionately affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Although HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) offers an effective means of reducing incident HIV among this population, the HIV-preventive success of oral-based PrEP is contingent upon regimen adherence. Elevated rates of alcohol-, substance use-, and mental health-related issues among GBMSM potentially hinder PrEP-taking efforts, however the evidence for this remains mixed. Accordingly, the present study entailed a comprehensive qualitative investigation to explore PrEP-prescribed GBMSM’s perceptions surrounding the influence of alcohol, substance use, and mental health on PrEP adherence.MethodsPrEP-prescribed GBMSM (age ≥ 18 years; prescribed PrEP for ≥ 3 months) were recruited from two PrEP-delivery clinics in Toronto, Canada for focus groups as part of the formative phase of an alcohol-, substance use-, and mental health-focused randomized controlled intervention trial. Focus group discussions qualitatively explored perceived strengths and barriers associated with adherence to PrEP treatment; with an emphasis on alcohol, substance use, and mental health concerns. Condom use among PrEP-prescribed GBMSM within the context of these concerns was also discussed.ResultsA total of five focus groups involving 35 GBMSM were conducted (4–10/group; mean age = 42.4; white = 71.4%). Although participants themselves generally reported successfully adhering to their PrEP regimens—resulting from a strong, underlying motivation for self-care—they recognized the detrimental impact that alcohol, substance use, and mental health had on adherence among their peers. In this regard, alcohol and substances were perceived as detracting from adherence only when consumption was excessive or temporally linked to PrEP dosing. Pronounced mental health issues (e.g., severe depression) were also seen as hindering adherence, although these effects were nuanced and perceived as person-dependent. Alcohol and substances were linked to condomless sex, regardless of PrEP use, and PrEP was therefore viewed as an HIV-protective ‘safety net.’ConclusionsOverall, findings suggest that PrEP adherence can often be successfully achieved in the presence of alcohol-, substance use-, and mental health-related issues. Augmenting self-care, and addressing pronounced addictions- and mental health-related concerns, may enhance PrEP treatment among GBMSM.

Loneliness and mental health related impacts of COVID-19: a narrative review.

Loneliness is the one of the common phase experienced during COVID-19 pandemic. It has impacted mental health of all ages specifically children and adolescents. The aim of this review was to assess level of loneliness and mental health related impacts of COVID-19 among both; children and adolescents. For this literature review, two independent reviewers searched articles on Cochrane library, MEDLINE, Google Scholar and Science-direct. Both MeSH terms and free text terms were used forsearch purposes between December 01, 2019 and December 30, 2021. A total of 14 studies met inclusion criteria and of these, 8 studies were related to mental health related impacts of COVID-19 pandemic whereas 6 studies involved both aspects i.e. loneliness and mental health among children and adolescents. One study was qualitative, one interventional, and remaining 12 were cross-sectional surveys. The findings of this review suggest an increase in level of loneliness and mental health related impacts during COVID-19 pandemic among children and adolescents. Loneliness, social distancing and internet usage therefore re strongly correlated with mental health related issues including stress, anxiety and depression.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on the mental health status of Indian undergraduate health professional students

Introduction and Aim: The psychological effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and related lockdown measures among the Indian population are less known. Undergraduate students are prone to mental health problems making them more vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic and its lockdown. This study sought to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on the mental health status of undergraduate health professional students of a tertiary care setup. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried on undergraduate health professional students of a private Deemed-to-be University. 246 participants took part in this study. A questionnaire was provided as a Google form containing 26 questions. It captured the main dimensions of mental health-related issues in undergraduate students. Paired ‘t’ test was employed to compare the mental health status of the participants before and during the lockdown. Results: A significant majority of our participants experienced stress during the lockdown. There was no significant effect of gender, the number of household members, or prior mental health challenges on the mental status of the students. COVID-19 updates on central government introduced mobile application significantly decreased stress but reports from television/radio and social media significantly contributed to stress. Students engaged in online academic activities of more than four hours per day were significantly stressed. Conclusion: Undergraduate health professional students in our study were significantly more stressed during the lockdown as compared to the pre-lockdown period. Academic online activity also significantly contributed to stress with more than four hours of online engagement precipitating severe stress.

COVID-somnia: anxiety, insomnia, and poor sleep among second-line healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundLittle information is available about the linkage between sleep affection and COVID-19. Preliminary reports and clinical observations focused on the appearance of related mental health issues, especially in healthcare workers (HCWs).MethodsA cross-sectional study is conducted on the COVID-19 second-line HCWs using an English online survey prepared via Google forms. The survey focused on sociodemographic and profession-related characteristics (age, sex, smoking, history of previous sleep disorders or medications affecting sleep, comorbidities specialty, years of experience, and number of hours worked per week) and COVID-19-associated risks (being on the second line of COVID-19 management, following updates and news about COVID-19, and getting an infection with COVID-19 or having a colleague/friend who was infected with or died of COVID-19). Assessment of anxiety, insomnia, and sleep quality was done using the relevant diagnostic scales.ResultsThis study included 162 second-line HCWs with a mean age of 34.36 ± 8.49 years. Although being in second lines, there was a high prevalence of anxiety (49.38%), insomnia (56.17%), and poor sleep quality (67.9%) during the pandemic. One condition was recently developed after the pandemic: insomnia in 6.6%, anxiety in 5.7%, and poor sleep in 16%. Two conditions were developed: insomnia and poor sleep in 21.7%, anxiety and poor sleep in 7.5%, and insomnia and anxiety in 10.4%. The three conditions were de novo experienced in 19.8%. A total of 22.4% of those who followed daily COVID-19 updates developed de novo combined anxiety, insomnia, and poor sleep. A total of 38.5% of participants that had been infected with COVID-19 developed de novo combined anxiety, insomnia, and poor sleep. A total of 50% of participants who had a colleague/friend who died with COVID-19 developed de novo combined anxiety, insomnia, and poor sleep.ConclusionAlthough being in second lines, there was a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep concerning COVID-19-related factors.

Assessment of Anxiety, Depression, Work-Related Stress, and Burnout in Health Care Workers (HCWs) Affected by COVID-19: Results of a Case-Control Study in Italy.

This study aims to investigate whether HCWs infected with COVID-19 may experience potential psychological consequences and a higher incidence of depression, anxiety, work-related stress, and burnout compared to non-infected HCWs. A case–control study with 774 participants was conducted comparing COVID-19-infected HCWs (cases) and non-infected HCWs (controls) from the Occupational Medicine Unit at the Teaching Hospital Policlinico Umberto I, who were administered the same questionnaire including Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and Karasek’s Job Content Questionnaire. No differences in the levels of burnout and decision latitude were found between the two groups. Cases showed higher level of anxiety and job demand compared to controls. In contrast, levels of depression in the case group were significantly lower compared to the control group. The results are indicating the need for workplace health promotion activities based on stress and burnout management and prevention. Multiple organizational and work-related interventions can lower the impact of mental health-related issues in the COVID-19 pandemics, including the improvement of workplace infrastructures, as well as the adoption of correct and shared anti-contagion measures, which must include regular personal protective equipment supply, and the adoption of training programs that deal with mental health-related issues.

From the Defense Health Board: Military Accessions and the Continuum of Mental Health Research.

The Defense Health Board conducted a year-long examination of mental health accession screening and related issues. In its August 2020 report, Examination of Mental Health Accession Screening: Predictive Value of Current Measures and Processes, the Board recommends a paradigm shift in how mental health impacts on readiness are understood and addressed. This shift can only occur with the development and implementation of a research plan that follows cohorts of military personnel from recruitment through their military career. The following article describes this research plan as an excerpt of the larger report.

Gender and sex differences in urban greenness' mental health benefits: A systematic review.

• Urban greenness can improve mental health-related issues. • Reviewed articles have not contemplated adequately and sufficiently gender and sex. • Gender can affect perception & use of urban greenness. • Women and men don’t receive the same amount of mental health benefits from urban greenness.

Relationship between Alexithymia, difficulties in emotion regulation, mental health and internet addiction in young adults

The internet has become a necessary tool for everyone in the 21st century. From using Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram to paying bills, shopping, etc. the internet provides us with a range of services. But at the same time, the number of hours spent online mindlessly scrolling through the websites or binge watching your favorite shows has increased and has become a cause of worry – for both, physical and mental health related issues. The present study aimed to investigate the role of certain psychological variables which are associated with addiction, mainly internet addiction. Alexithymia, emotion regulation difficulties and poor mental health can result into problematic internet use among young adults. Based on these views, it was hypothesized that these variables have association with internet addiction and internet addiction can be predicted by them. Total 250 young adults from different parts of the country participated in the study via offline and online modes of data collection following the safety protocols for COVID-19 virus. Consent form, demographic details and variable tests were given to the sample. Data analysis indicated that alexithymia and difficulties in emotion regulation had a positive correlation with internet addiction, mental health had a negative correlation and regression was significant. Out of all the three variables emotion regulation difficulties could explain internet addiction. Results showed that there was an association between alexithymia, difficulties in emotion regulation, mental health and internet addiction (is greater than 0.01 significant level).

Assange, mental health and assurances in extradition.

Julian Assange is wanted by the United States so it can prosecute him for espionage and hacking. His extradition was barred on mental health grounds. That decision has been overturned. The English High Court has accepted US assurances detailing how he will be treated if transferred. Assange is seeking to appeal to the UK Supreme Court. Mental health-related issues have played a central role in his case to date, and look to continue to do so. The specific timing and effect of assurances are central to the present litigation. The Supreme Court will imminently decide on the next stage in Assange's fight against extradition.

Variable feelings of cohesion, trust, individualism and exclusion and their consequences on Swiss public mental health during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionThe first cases of COVID-19 in Switzerland were related to the Milan cluster in February 2020. Border crossing restrictions were imposed and economic support measures worth 40 billion Swiss francs were announced. By 24th September 2021 Switzerland achieved a fully vaccination rate of 54%, confirmed 836’000 cases and 11’060 deaths.Objectives The objective was to describe and analyse the mental health of the general Swiss population under the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and it’s social changes: including a case description, transgenerational influence and psychosocial treatment opportunitiesMethodsTo answer the research question, I used deepened internet research, population interviews among different age gropus and colloquies with healthcare providers and federal authorities.ResultsDifferent psychosocial phenomena lead to the transgenerational influence. Unfortunately, vaccination rate is slowed down by this pandemic’s impacts on public mental health. While during the first wave the positive feelings of cohesion and trust dominated, the mood changed afterwards to anxiousness and reactive individualism. Among all generations the fear of infection was shown to be a general booster of anxiety and distress. In fact, Swiss experts perceive the corona crisis as a catalysator for depression and anxiety disorders.ConclusionsSpecific psychosocial treatment has to address general and individual vulnerability factors. However, staying in touch with family members, pursuing meaningful activities and being physically active can all help to overcome COVID-19 related mental health issues.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Participants' Engagement With Telephone Support Interventions to Promote Healthy Feeding Practices and Obesity-Protective Behaviours for Infant Obesity Prevention.

BackgroundParticipant engagement with program interventions is vital to support intended behaviour changes and outcomes. The aim of this research was to investigate participant engagement with the Communicating Healthy Beginnings Advice by Telephone (CHAT) program, an early childhood obesity prevention program that included interventions for promoting healthy infant feeding practices and obesity-protective behaviours via telephone, and whether engagement with the telephone support program varied by participants’ sociodemographic characteristics.MethodsThis study used de-identified CHAT program data of participants who received the interventions via telephone. Data analysed included 1) participant engagement in telephone support from late pregnancy to 12 months of child's age, 2) demographic characteristics collected at late pregnancy and 3) intervention providers’ observations and notes (qualitative data) for 10 participants from each engagement group (low, medium, high) to explore issues discussed during telephone support.ResultsCall completion rate by participants was above sixty percent for all six stages of the telephone support program with more than half of the participants (57%) demonstrating high level of engagement. We found that participants’ country of birth, employment status and annual household income were predictors of engagement with the telephone support provided in the CHAT program. The odds of participants’ engagement with the telephone support program were 1.68 times higher for Australian born (95% CI 1.07 – 2.62), 1.63 times higher for participants who were employed (95% CI 1.01 – 2.66) and 1.63 times higher for participants with annual household income ≥AUD$80,000 (95% CI 1.02 – 2.60).ConclusionsParticipant engagement with the program interventions was good. Participants’ engagement with the telephone support program was significantly associated with certain socio-demographic characteristics. Australian born participants, and participants associated with higher household income and employment engaged significantly more with the telephone support provided in the CHAT program. Additionally, the program engaged more participants older than 30 years of age and those who spoke English at home. The program provided unintended personal benefits to some participants with high engagement level due to their various psychosocial needs such as domestic violence, mental health and sleep related issues. Although not an intended benefit of the intervention, psychosocial needs of participants were met which was a likely factor for mothers’ engagement with the program. This is an important factor that needs to be considered while implementing future programs or scale up of this program.

Policing mental health? Norwegian police’s work with preventing radicalization into violent extremism

ABSTRACT In this paper, we investigate how mental health-related issues have become part of the Norwegian police’s practical work in the prevention of violent extremism (PVE). Through interviews with Norwegian police, we show that mental health issues are a recurring part of their PVE work and that operating in the grey area between policing and health care is challenging. We show that for police, assessing whether extreme views and attitudes are just that – extreme – or indications of mental health issues can be difficult. We also show that the police tend to view mental health issues as one of many factors contributing to violent extremism rather than as a singular, causal factor. We argue for the importance of improving the police’s approach to mental health-related issues, both by increasing knowledge about mental health issues as basis for initial mental health assessments and by establishing access to competent professional health personnel. A better understanding of how mental health issues interact with other challenges in a person’s life, including aspects relevant to the criminal justice system – notably radicalization into violent extremism – and how multi-agency approaches can be best utilized in such circumstances, is needed in order to provide better PVE measures.

Association between using social media WeChat and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older people: findings from a national survey

ObjectivesWe aimed to assess the characteristics and health status of a study sample using social media WeChat and to identify the association between social media usage and depressive symptoms among people aged 45 and older in China.MethodsData were drawn from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Depressive symptoms were measured by the 10-item form of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10). The propensity score matching method (PSM) was performed to balance the characteristics of WeChat users and non-WeChat users. Multilevel logistic regression was used to test the association between the incidence of depressive symptoms and WeChat usage by introducing covariates step by step. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to estimate the robustness of the primary findings.ResultsA total of 5415 matching cases out of 11,338 total sample were used in this study to generate the final analysis. A multilevel logistic regression model showed that a significantly lower incidence of depression was related to WeChat usage after adjusting for all possible covariates (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.62–0.94). The most popular WeChat functions used by the study population were watching news (80.4%), posting Moment messages (75.5%), chatting with friends (66.0%), and watching videos (65.2%). The sensitivity analysis yielded similar findings to the primary analyses.ConclusionsUsing social media WeChat showed an association with lower depressive symptoms among people aged ≥45 and older in our study sample. Further studies need to be explored on the promotion and education of social media WeChat usage, targeting the improvement of mental health-related issues through social network connections.

A study to assess the risk factors contributing to psychological stress, anxiety and depression in mothers of Covid-19 positive hospitalized children in a Tertiary care hospital

Parents of the COVID -19 positive hospitalized children are facing different psychological stresses which are affecting child’s care and well-being. To determine the psychological stress, anxiety and depression and to identify the associated influencing factors in mothers of hospitalized COVID-19 infected children In this cross-sectional observational study, 150 mothers of COVID-19 positive hospitalized children in a paediatric tertiary care hospital were randomly selected and studied. Data collection tool was a two part questionnaire; the first part was based on ‘Perceived stress scale-10’ and ‘Hospital anxiety and depression scale’ and the second part included stressors related to COVID-19 pandemic selected based on previous researches. The incidence of these stressors and their significance in causing stress, anxiety and depression was assessed using standard statistical methods.83.4% had moderate psychological stress, 35% had significant anxiety and 38% had significant depression. Worry about hospital bed availability and treatment cost (Odd’s ratio>9) and worry about getting infection (Odd’s ratio>8) as main stressors for stress, concern about family members and worry about getting infection (Odd’s ratio>9 for both) as main factors for anxiety and concern about family members (Odd’s ratio>22) as main factor for depression was found in study population. This pandemic has imposed grave psychological impact on mothers of hospitalized COVID infected children and various influencing social factors have been identified through our study. Holistic approach including socio-economic, administrative and political measures should be taken and adequate psychological support should be provided to address maternal mental health related issues.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Managing Potentially Volatile Police-Public Interactions: A Narrative Review.

We conducted a narrative review of existing literature to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) necessary for officers who police in democratic societies to successfully manage potentially volatile police–public interactions. This review revealed 10 such KSAs that are frequently discussed in the literature. These KSAs include: (1) knowledge of policies and laws; (2) an understanding of mental health-related issues; (3) an ability to interact effectively with, and show respect for, individuals from diverse community groups; (4) awareness and management of stress effects; (5) communication skills; (6) decision-making and problem-solving skills; (7) perceptual skills; (8) motor skills related to use-of-force; (9) emotion and behavior regulation; and (10) an ability to treat people in a procedurally just manner. Following our review, we conducted semi-structured interviews (N = 7) with researchers who specialize in police training and adult education, interactions with individuals in crisis, and racialized policing, as well as two police trainers with expertise in de-escalation and use-of-force training. These interviews confirmed the importance of the 10 KSAs and highlighted two additional KSAs that are likely to be critical: understanding the role of policing in a free and democratic society and tactical knowledge and skills. To ensure that police–public interactions are managed effectively, police trainers may want to focus on the development and evaluation of these KSAs—something that is not always done currently.