Role Of Psychological Distress Research Articles

Sleep Disorder among IT Professionals: The Role of Psychological Distress and Work

Sleep Disorder among IT Professionals: The Role of Psychological Distress and Work

A multivariate analysis of workplace ostracism and employee engagement: the role of psychological distress and mindfulness

A multivariate analysis of workplace ostracism and employee engagement: the role of psychological distress and mindfulness

Understanding the relationship between corporal punishment and adolescent externalizing problems: the roles of psychological distress and parent-child relationship

Understanding the relationship between corporal punishment and adolescent externalizing problems: the roles of psychological distress and parent-child relationship

Job Insecurity and Intention to Quit: The Role of Psychological Distress and Resistance to Change in the UAE Hotel Industry.

Hotel organizations today are in a state of constant change due to high competition, the emergence of pandemics, and cyclical economic crises. Hospitality employees are currently affected by job insecurity. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of job insecurity on intention to quit among hospitality workers, integrating the mediating effect of psychological distress and resistance to change and their mutual relationship. A total of 312 surveys were completed in four four- and five-star hotels in the UAE (Dubai and Sharjah). The SmartPLS 4 software was used to test the hypotheses in a mediation model with the bootstrapping method. The results showed that all of the direct links were positive and significant, and mediating relationships were confirmed. This study found that job insecurity predicts intention to quit through psychological distress and resistance to change acting as mediators, and these factors themselves also impact significantly on intention to quit. Resistance to change is impacted significantly by job insecurity and psychological distress, which suggests that a deeper approach to employees’ resistance to change should be taken, especially when conducting performance appraisals in the hotel industry, by searching for its roots and aiming to minimize employees’ intention to quit.

Predictors of posttraumatic stress symptoms, COVID-related functional impairment, and burnout among medical professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Physicians are particularly vulnerable to mental health symptoms during global stressors such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Such stressors can increase death anxiety, which is a vulnerability factor for psychological dysfunction. Thus, exposure to COVID-related death may play a unique role in physicians’ mental health during the pandemic. This cross-sectional study collected self-reported data from 485 resident physicians and fellows. Participants reported mental health symptoms, including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), burnout, and functional impairment due to the pandemic. Participants also reported death anxiety, COVID-19 anxiety, cognitive accessibility of death-related thoughts (DTA), and workplace exposure to COVID-19. Death anxiety, COVID-19 anxiety, DTA, and workplace COVID-19 exposure all independently predicted PTSS. Furthermore, COVID-19 anxiety and DTA interacted to predict PTSS, such that high levels of COVID-19 anxiety predicted higher PTSS, regardless of DTA level. Death anxiety and COVID-19 workplace exposure interacted to predict PTSS as well, such that death anxiety predicted PTSS only when COVID-19 exposure was high. Burnout was predicted by COVID-19 anxiety and workplace exposure, and COVID-related functional impairment was predicted by death anxiety and COVID anxiety. These findings demonstrate that death-related and COVID-related concerns, independently and in interaction with each other, play an important role in psychological distress among physicians.

Psychological Distress and Its Mediating Effect on Experiences of Online Risk: The Case for Vulnerable Young People

There is strong evidence showing that vulnerable children and adolescents, such as children who are carers for their family, in care themselves, or who have a physical disability or special educational needs, are at greater risk of mental health problems and poor social wellbeing. Recent research indicates this heterogenous but vulnerable group is also disadvantaged online and may be at greater risk of harm. This study aimed to examine participants’ vulnerability (vulnerable vs. non-vulnerable), psychological distress, parental e-safety support, and online lives, specifically their experiences of online risk. The roles of psychological distress and parental e-safety support were explored as possible mediators and moderators, respectively, for the relationship between vulnerability and online risk. Survey data was collected from 15,278 participants (11–17 years old; M = 12.60, SD = 1.44), 46.6% identified as females, 46.6% identified as males and 6% identified as “other”. Participants were recruited from schools/colleges in different parts of England, of whom 3,242 were categorised as vulnerable. Using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) the results showed that, when compared to the non-vulnerable participants, the vulnerable groups (single or multiple vulnerabilities) experienced more psychological distress and online risks. They also received less e-safety support from parents or carers. Furthermore, mediation and moderated mediation analysis showed that the relationship between vulnerability and online risk was significantly and partially mediated by psychological distress. Parental e-safety support was found to moderate the relationship between psychological distress and online risk and between vulnerability and online risk. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that vulnerability offline is mirrored online. Psychological interventions and parental e-safety support are required to navigate the internet safely. Children’s services and practitioners should consider online risks in their assessments and interventions.

Perceptions of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Psychological Distress amongst Russian Citizens during Spring 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the emotional state of a wide range of people around the world. Studying the social and psychological factors of psychological distress is required in the context of the pandemic in different countries. This study aims to explore the relationship between the emotional state of Russian citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic and their perceptions of it, and its dependence on various socio-demographic characteristics. A socio-demographic questionnaire, the Russian version of the Perceived Stress Scale, the State Scale from Spilberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the modified version of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire were used for the purposes of this study. The data was analyzed via descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Correlation Analysis, Scale Consistency Analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (Path Analysis Method). The study sample consisted of 1192 Russian-speaking respondents. The findings suggest that psychological distress affects all components of the ideas about the pandemic. The "Psychological distress" variable positively influences the "Threat to life" and "Fear of an unknown disease" components of the ideas about the pandemic, whereas the "Control" component (ideas about the ability to control events) is ambivalent. On the one hand, the severity of psychological distress reduces the idea of being able to control events; on the other, the psychological distress experienced increases the feeling of threat and uncertainty, and stimulates the control of these feelings to be realized. In addition, significant differences were revealed in the nature of perceptions of the pandemic and psychological distress, as dependent on gender, age, type of employment, daily routine during self-isolation, income, as well as a fear of possible stigmatization with regard to COVID-19. It has been shown that underestimating the disease leads to improvement of psychological well-being. However, respondents who underestimated the danger of coronavirus paid less attention to the measures taken against the virus. If the respondent had relatives infected with COVID-19, they were found to perceive the COVID-19 pandemic as more threatening and less understandable. Through assessing a level of threat and fear of an unknown disease, we defined that psychological distress has a direct and mediated influence on the feeling of control over the pandemic. However, the results on the role of psychological distress and perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, taken together, appear rather contradictory. Further research exploring additional predictors of psychological well-being and distress during the COVID-19 pandemic is required to provide solid conclusions.

Coping Style, Insomnia, and Psychological Distress Among Persons With Gastrointestinal Cancer

Although insomnia has been shown to play an important role in psychological distress among gastrointestinal cancer patients, little is known about the internal mechanisms underlying this relation. Coping styles have been shown to moderate the effect of sleep on emotion, and this moderating effect may be age-dependent. The aim of this study was to test how age and coping styles moderate the role of insomnia on psychological distress among gastrointestinal cancer patients. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with a convenience sample. A total of 352 patients with gastrointestinal cancer from two tertiary hospitals were recruited to participate in this study. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, the Insomnia Severity Index, and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire were used to assess patients' psychological distress, insomnia, and coping styles, respectively. We performed hierarchical multiple regression and Johnson-Neyman statistical analysis to probe the moderating effect of coping styles and age. The mean age of the participants was 58.32 years. Nearly half of the participants reported psychological distress, and many reported insomnia. Insomnia was significantly positively associated with psychological distress. Coping styles and age moderated the relationship between insomnia and distress. Specifically, positive coping buffered the effect of insomnia on psychological distress only for subjects aged 34 years and younger; negative coping exacerbated the above relationship in patients aged 68 years and older while weakening the relationship in participants aged 51 years and younger. There are age differences in the moderating role of coping styles on the relationship between insomnia and distress among gastrointestinal cancer patients. This study provides preliminary evidence to inform tailored guidance on coping styles by age groups to attenuate the risk for psychological distress related to insomnia in the cancer population.

Social support and subsequent cognitive frailty during a 1-year follow-up of older people: the mediating role of psychological distress

BackgroundFrailty and cognitive impairment are two common geriatric symptoms linking adverse health-related outcomes. However, cognitive frailty, a new definition defined by an international consensus group, has been shown to be a better predictor of increased disability, mortality, and other adverse health outcomes among older people than just frailty or cognitive impairment. This study estimated the prospective association between social support and subsequent cognitive frailty over 1 year follow-up, and whether psychological distress mediated the association.MethodsThe data was drawn from a prospective repeated-measures cohort study on a sample of participants aged 60 and over. A total of 2785 older people who participated in both of the baseline and 1-year follow-up survey were included for the analysis. Cognitive frailty was measured by the coexistence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment without dementia. Control variables included sex, age, education, marital status, economic status, smoking status, alcohol drinking status, chronic conditions, and functional disability. Path analyses with logistic function were performed to examine the direct effects of social support (predictors) on subsequent cognitive frailty (outcome) at 1-year follow-up and the mediating role of psychological distress (mediator) in this link.ResultsAfter adjusting for covariates and prior cognitive frailty status, social support was negatively associated with psychological distress (β = − 0.098, 95% CI = − 0.137 to − 0.066, P < 0.001) and was negatively associated with the log-odds of cognitive frailty (β = − 0.040, 95% CI = − 0.064 to − 0.016, P < 0.001). The magnitude of mediation effects from social support to cognitive frailty via psychological distress was a*b = − 0.009, and the ratio of a*b/(a*b + c’) was 24.32%.ConclusionsLower social support is associated with increased rates of subsequent cognitive frailty over 1-year follow-up, and this link is partially mediated through psychological distress, suggesting that assessing and intervening psychological distress and social support may have important implications for preventing cognitive frailty among older people.

Worsening pain and quality of life for spine surgery patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: Roles of psychological distress and patient activation

BackgroundPublic health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have disrupted access to basic resources (income, food, housing, healthcare). The effects may impact patients differently based on socioeconomic status (SES), pre-existing psychological distress, and patient activation (knowledge, skills, and motivation to manage healthcare). We examined changes in access to basic resources and in pain and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during the pandemic and determined how pre-existing psychological distress and patient activation are associated with exacerbation or mitigation of effects on pain and HRQoL. MethodsThis cross-sectional study assessed 431 patients in a longitudinal-outcomes registry who underwent or scheduled spine surgery at our institution and were surveyed about COVID-19 effects on accessing basic resources. We assessed pain (numeric rating scale) and HRQoL (PROMIS 29-Item Profile). Information on preoperative SES, psychological distress, patient activation, pain, and HRQoL was collected previously. We compared access to basic resources by SES. We compared changes from pre-COVID-19 to COVID-19 assessments of pain and HRQoL and proportions of patients reporting worsened pain and HRQoL stratified by psychological distress. We analyzed associations between patient activation and negative effects on HRQoL using multivariable linear regression. Alpha=0.05. ResultsRespondents reported minor disruptions in accessing basic resources (no difference by SES) but significant worsening of back (p=.027) and leg pain (p=.013) and HRQoL (physical function, fatigue, p<0.001; satisfaction with participation in social roles, p=0.048) during COVID-19. Psychological distress was associated with clinically relevant worsening of back, pain, leg pain, and physical function all, (p<0.05). High patient activation was associated with less impairment of physical function (p=0.03). ConclusionPatients with pre-existing psychological distress experienced greater worsening of pain and HRQoL. High patient activation appeared to mitigate worsening of physical function. Providers should screen for psychological distress and patient activation and enhance supports to manage pain and maintain HRQoL in at-risk patients.Level of Evidence: III

Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrated by Men Seeking Help: The Explanatory Roles of Psychological Distress and Affect Dysregulation

Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrated by Men Seeking Help: The Explanatory Roles of Psychological Distress and Affect Dysregulation

The Role of Psychological Distress in Relational Health Instability among Romantic Couples: A Qualitative Inquiry

Background: Relationship instability, which creates an additional burden to the couples, has contributed to relationship disconnection. Factor like stress plays a vital role in the flux of relationship status and in understanding the stability of intimate relationships and quality in romantic relationships. Yet, there is a dearth on psychological distress noted on non-marital relationship disconnection, since the most documented research has centered on the context of marital bond disconnection. Thus, it prompted the researcher to conduct a qualitative inquiry on the role of psychological distress among women with experiences on mutual bond disconnection. Methods: Constructivist grounded theory and feminist theory designs were utilized to describe the role of psychological distress in relational health instability from the lens of women who participated on this study. This study employed theoretical and purposive sampling methods to enter research interest on relationship loss. Guided by a semi-structured questionnaire, the researcher explored women’s experiences on mutual bond disconnection. However, this paper focused on the thoughts, views, and feelings among women on relational health instability among couples Results: Thematic analysis generated the participants’ psychological stressors such as disrespect, disinclination, and monetary issues that caused their relational health instability and further led to mutual bond disconnection. Moreover, it provided an in-depth understanding of the factors causing romantic relational health instability such as: (i) humiliation, and (ii) financial matters. Conclusion: The findings provided an increased in-depth understanding of the psychological factors that leads to unhealthy relationships among romantic couples which further cause the mutual bond disconnection.

A Multivariate Analysis of Workplace Ostracism and Employee Engagement: The Role of Psychological Distress and Mindfulness

A Multivariate Analysis of Workplace Ostracism and Employee Engagement: The Role of Psychological Distress and Mindfulness

Postoperative delirium in older patients with cancer: the role of psychological distress and social support.

Delirium is a common and important adverse event in the perioperative period. Older people with cancer are at significant risk, and outcomes are poor. There is increasing awareness of the effect of psychological distress and social support on pathogenesis and outcomes of delirium in this setting. This review aimed to describe recent research in this evolving area. Across six recent studies of postoperative delirium in older people with cancer, delirium incidence ranged from 8 to 19.8%. Poor social support and high levels of distress are implicated in the development of postoperative delirium. Distress can be related to negative emotional reaction to diagnosis, preconception of cancer diagnosis and interactions with the healthcare system. Prevention of delirium is key, and multicomponent interventions show evidence of effectiveness. 'Emotional distress' has been included in a new core outcome set for studies of interventions to prevent and/or treat delirium. Postoperative delirium in older adults with cancer is common and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Psychological distress and social support play an important role, but there are many unmet research needs in this area.

The role of psychological distress in the relationship between lifestyle and compulsivity: An analysis of independent, bi-national samples.

Poor mental health is a state of psychological distress that is influenced by lifestyle factors such as sleep, diet, and physical activity. Compulsivity is a transdiagnostic phenotype cutting across a range of mental illnesses including obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance-related and addictive disorders, and is also influenced by lifestyle. Yet, how lifestyle relates to compulsivity is presently unknown, but important to understand to gain insights into individual differences in mental health. We assessed (a) the relationships between compulsivity and diet quality, sleep quality, and physical activity, and (b) whether psychological distress statistically contributes to these relationships. We collected harmonized data on compulsivity, psychological distress, and lifestyle from two independent samples (Australian n=880 and US n=829). We used mediation analyses to investigate bidirectional relationships between compulsivity and lifestyle factors, and the role of psychological distress. Higher compulsivity was significantly related to poorer diet and sleep. Psychological distress statistically mediated the relationship between poorer sleep quality and higher compulsivity, and partially statistically mediated the relationship between poorer diet and higher compulsivity. Lifestyle interventions in compulsivity may target psychological distress in the first instance, followed by sleep and diet quality. As psychological distress links aspects of lifestyle and compulsivity, focusing on mitigating and managing distress may offer a useful therapeutic approach to improve physical and mental health. Future research may focus on the specific sleep and diet patterns which may alter compulsivity over time to inform lifestyle targets for prevention and treatment of functionally impairing compulsive behaviors.

Patterns of Psychological Distress and Well-Being among Adults in Relation to Gender during COVID-19 Pandemic

AbstractCoronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the worsening of mental health of people in terms of increased psychological distress and decreased psychological well-being. The study was designed to understand the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on psychological distress and well-being. Present study also explored the variances in psychological distress and well-being in relation to development stages (young adulthood and adulthood), gender (males and females), people who had been infected by coronavirus and those not infected, and respondents whose immediate family members/relatives/friends/classmates had been infected by coronavirus and those not infected. An online survey was conducted in the midst of the pandemic. Responses of 250 respondents were gathered and analysed using the General Well-being Questionnaire developed by Veit and Ware in 1983. The results indicated that COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in determining psychological distress and well-being. Gender differences in psychological distress and well-being are present with males being high on psychological distress and females being high on psychological well-being. Adults were found to be high on psychological distress than young adults. It was also revealed that as a person (respondent himself/immediate family/friends/relatives) becomes infected and recovers, their psychological distress declines, and well-being increases, probably because of reduced fear of being infected again. Along with other demographic variables, developmental stages and gender differences also played a crucial role in psychological distress and well-being of adults.

Is the Pain Just Physical? The Role of Psychological Distress, Quality of Life, and Autistic Traits in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, an Internet-Based Survey in Italy.

Background: Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDS) have been associated with psychological distress, comorbid psychiatric disorders, and worsening in quality of life (QoL). Among the neurodevelopmental disorders, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have shown the highest rates of co-occurrence with EDS. The reasons for these associations are unknown and a possible role of pain in increasing the risk of psychiatric disorders in EDS has been suggested. However, a detailed picture of an Italian EDS sample is still lacking. Methods: We conducted a web-based survey in a third level center for the diagnosis of EDS in northern Italy, to investigate psychological distress, QoL, and the presence of autistic traits. Furthermore, we correlated the psychometric data with some clinical variables. Results: We observed a high rate of psychological distress with 91% of the responders at high risk of common mental disorders, low QoL, and high prevalence of autistic traits in EDS patients. Specifically, patients lacking a specific genetic test, diagnosed as suspects of EDS appeared to be at greater risk and reported worse psychological QoL. Pain was significantly associated with both psychological distress and worse QoL. Conclusions: Our findings support the need of further research and of a multi-disciplinary approach to EDS including psychological and psychiatric liaison.

A survey on psychological distress and problematic smartphone use: two sides of the same coin?

Abstract Background Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is defined as a maladaptive smartphone use causing significant impairment in several areas of the individual and interpersonal functioning. Smartphones allow people to access the internet and social media at all times, providing the illusion of being in constant connection with the world. Literature has shown that maladaptive smartphone use is more frequent in young adults, and it is associated with psychological difficulties such as depression, anxiety, and feelings of tension and emotional discomfort, which can generally be referred to a condition of psychological distress. Aim The aim of the study was to investigate the role of psychological distress and possible risk factors associated with PSU, as well as to evaluate the factor structure of the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Version (SAS-SV) test Italian translation in a sample of students. Methods A sample of 2260 students (aged 18-25 years) filled in a web-based survey that included a sociodemographic questionnaire, also investigating time spent using smartphone and the preferred social media; the SAS-SV, the Internet Addiction Test and the Matthey Generic Mood Questionnaire were also part of the survey. Results A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that moderate-high perception of psychological distress, time spent using smartphone overnight and during the day, education, and sex are independent predictors of potential smartphone addiction, as measured by the SAS-SV. An Exploratory Factor Analysis followed by a Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed a reliable two-factor structure of SAS-SV. Conclusions The results of the study highlighted predictors that can be useful in prevention, confirming the impact of the extent of time spent using the smartphone, especially at night, and underlining the role of psychological distress in maladaptive smartphone use. Key messages The findings raise concerns about the potential spread of smartphone addictive behaviour in Italian young adults. Perceiving a psychological distress condition was associated with potential smartphone addiction. It is important for prevention to have reliable screening tools that are quick and easy to fill out.

Men’s Shame and Anger: Examining the Roles of Alexithymia and Psychological Distress

The psychological mechanisms connecting shame and anger among men remain underexplored. This study aimed to understand the potential roles of psychological distress and alexithymia in this pathway, both in the form of difficulty identifying and describing one’s feelings. Self-report measures were completed by 1,000 men (age mean = 49.6 years; range = 19–86 years). Conditional process analysis investigated a moderated mediation effect to determine whether men’s distress mediated the relationship between shame and anger, and whether this effect differed according to severity and type of alexithymia. Findings indicated moderated mediation, with psychological distress a significant mediator in the association between shame and anger. Furthermore, difficulties describing feelings (but not identifying feelings) moderated the relationship between shame and psychological distress. Men’s shame can be expressed via anger when experiencing psychological distress, and the inability to express one’s feelings exacerbates this pathway. Clinical and public health avenues to reduce the impact of alexithymia are discussed. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.2021.1977598 .

Peran resource dan vulnerability index of resilience terhadap distres psikologis remaja saat pandemi Covid-19

Changes that occur rapidly during a pandemic are prone to causing psychological distress in adolescents. Therole of resources and the vulnerability index of resilience need to be explored as variables that affect psychologicaldistress. This study used a quantitative design with 111 adolescents who were collected online. Data were processedusing descriptive and correlation-regression analysis. The resource index has a negative effect of 12.6 %, while thevulnerability index has a positive effect of 21.2 % on psychological distress. The interaction of both indexes has a rolein psychological distress (R2= 0.21,F= 14.50,ρ= 0.000). Other findings indicate that participant psychological distress is high, with an average resource and a low vulnerability index. This study found that the higher the resourceindex, the lower psychological distress. Conversely, the higher the vulnerability index, the higher the psychologicaldistress. Intervention needs to be done by targeting both resilience indexes.