Levels Of Worry Research Articles

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, working, and life situation of employees in the Swedish hospitality industry.

Previous studies reported that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively affected the mental health of employees in the hospitality industry internationally, however, its effect in Sweden has not been studied. Unlike several other countries, Sweden never enforced a lockdown. Restaurants, bars, and hotels could remain open and host a limited number of guests but had to abide by certain restrictions. A cross-sectional survey was distributed among hospitality industry employees containing questions regarding the perceived effects of the pandemic on the respondents' working and life situations and their physical and psychological health. The sample consisted of 699 individuals, with a response rate of 47.9%. Although several respondents had been laid off or furloughed, the majority of the sample remained at the same employer. However, more than half of the respondents reported that their economic situation had deteriorated. Compared to before the pandemic, 38.1% experienced elevated levels of stress, 48.3% experienced elevated levels of worry, and 31.4% reported worsened mood. A deteriorating personal economy and difficulty in following COVID-19-related restrictions at work were associated with the worsening of these three mental health aspects. While the fear of becoming infected with COVID-19 was related to higher levels of stress, the fear of infecting others was related to higher levels of worry. Although Sweden imposed less strict measures than most other countries, the personal economy and mental health of hospitality workers were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Personal and contextual variables predict music consumption during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Canada.

The global COVID-19 lockdowns shattered familiar routines, plunging individuals into a disorienting emotional landscape characterized by loss, uncertainty, and a deep yearning for social bonds. Many employed coping strategies such as cleaning, dancing, and mindfulness-based practices to ameliorate negative emotions. Music listening was one of the most widely used coping strategies, moderated by personal and contextual variables. We obtained data from a Canadian national survey conducted in April 2020 to examine the role of personal (sex, age, education level, pre-pandemic income, minority status, feelings about music, and Schwartz's "personal values") and contextual variables (level of worry, changes to income, COVID-19 status and risk, having children at home, and internet access) in predicting music listening for stress relief, changes to music listening, changes to music watching, and music discovery. Our results indicate that women, younger adults, individuals who like or love music, and those reporting high levels of worry were more likely to listen to music to relieve stress. Personal variables were more significantly associated with music listening for stress relief than contextual variables.

Puerto Rican pre-teenagers’ physical and sedentary activities, dietary trends, and stress

The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze physical activity, sedentary activity, and dietary behaviors of preadolescents in Puerto Rico. A secondary purpose was to examine perceived stress and the weight status of the Puerto Rican preadolescents. Participants were 107 pre-teenagers (ages 6 to 11 years old) attending public elementary schools in Puerto Rico. Using a descriptive cross-sectional survey study design, we collected data on participants’ physical activity, sedentary activity, dietary behaviors, and perceived stress. We also measured participants’ height and weight, and calculated body mass indices. MINITAB descriptive and inferential statistical tests were used in analyzing the data. Results indicate that, on average, the participants partook in physical activities for less than 10 minutes each day, but regularly participated in sedentary activities. Their food behaviors varied. ANOVA tests revealed they were not significantly different in height and weight as a function of gender (F = 0.78, p = .46), but differed significantly in height and weight as a function of age (F = 7.02, p < .00) with older children, on average at greater height and weight. On average, the participants’ BMI scores fell within the healthy category, but ranged from healthy to overweight. Mostly, the participants had low levels of stress, worry, or nervousness. Instead, they felt supported and loved. In conclusion, more research in kinesiology is needed, whereby investigators explore, interrogate, and analyze health and social inequities associated with physical and sedentary activities, stress events, and food behaviors of preadolescents in Puerto Rico.

Sport Anxiety, Fear of Negative Evaluation, Stress and Coping as Predictors of Athlete's Sensitivity to the Behavior of Supporters.

The aim of the study was to find predictors of athlete sensitivity to the positive or negative behaviors of supporters and determine a relationship between athletes' sensitivity to the positive and negative behaviors of supporters and traits such as anxiety and stress or the strategies used to cope with stress. The sample consisted of 171 professional athletes. The study determined three variables that are predictors of athlete sensitivity to the positive behavior of supporters (SPS), i.e., strategies of coping with stress, such as high levels of coachability, confidence and achievement motivation and low levels of freedom from worry (change R2 = 0.15, F of change = 9.78, p of change < 0.001). The predictors of sensitivity to the negative behavior of supporters (SNS) are as follows: a low level of freedom from worry and a high level of fear of negative evaluation (change R2 = 0.31, F of change = 38.56, p of change < 0.001). In the context of the athlete's position, the predictors of SPS for midfielders are as follows: high level of susceptibility to stress and two strategies of coping with stress, i.e., peaking under pressure and concentration. For forwarders they are as follows: high level of worry and coping with stress via goal-setting, while for defenders, the ways of coping with stress are confidence and achievement motivation. In terms of SNS, for defenders, the predictors are low levels of freedom from worry, coachability, and a high level of fear of negative evaluation. Forwarders, who are sensitive to the negative behavior of supporters, are characterized by a fear of negative evaluation.

Associations of cancer history, food insecurity, and nonmedical financial worry and mortality risk in the US.

6537 Background: Cancer survivors often face substantial out-of-pocket medical costs, which can adversely affect their financial well-being. Cutting expenses on food and housing to save money are common coping strategies. However, little is known about the extent to which food insecurities and non-medical financial worries affect mortality risk after consideration of medical financial hardship. Methods: The 2013-2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the NHIS linked mortality files with vital status through December 31, 2019 were used to identify cancer survivors (ages 18-64: n=5,110; ages 65-79: n=4,949) and individuals without a cancer history (ages 18-64: n=115,643; ages 65-79: n=24,785). Medical financial hardship included 3 domains: material, psychological, and behavioral. Food insecurity (e.g., worry about food running out) and non-medical financial worries (e.g., paying for monthly bills and housing) were separately summarized and categorized as severe, moderate, and minor/none levels. Using age as the time scale, associations of cancer history, food insecurity and non-medical financial worry and mortality risk were examined with weighted Cox proportional hazards models. Adjusted models included medical financial hardship, sex, educational attainment, marital status, health insurance, comorbid conditions, and survey year. All estimates accounted for complex survey design. Results: In our sample, about 13.8% (ages 18-64) and 7.9% (ages 65-79) reported moderate to severe levels of food insecurity, respectively; 32.1% (ages 18-64) and 19.2% (ages 65-79) reported moderate to severe levels of non-medical financial worries, respectively. In adjusted analyses, cancer survivors had increased mortality risk. After controlling for medical financial hardship, food insecurity was associated with higher mortality risk in both age groups, following a dose-response relationship (Table); Non-medical financial worry was associated with higher mortality risk in the 65-79 age group (Table). Conclusions: Standardized and comprehensive assessment of financial hardship and other social needs, such food insecurity, is essential to identify and mitigate adverse economic impacts of cancer. [Table: see text]

Assessing Resident Well-Being: Ethical Considerations for Researchers When Conducting Qualitative Wellness Research With Resident Populations.

Assessing Resident Well-Being: Ethical Considerations for Researchers When Conducting Qualitative Wellness Research With Resident Populations.

The Interplay of Social, Emotional and Cognitive Factors of Risk Perception and Engagement in Precautionary Behaviours during COVID-19 Lockdown (4.0) in India

Global health authorities are trying to identify factors that influence people’s behavioural patterns to engage in preventive measures against COVID-19. The study examines the predictors of precautionary behaviours following the socio-emotional-cognitive risk perception model and presents a descriptive picture of people’s risk perception and precautionary behaviours during the COVID-19 lockdown in India. Around 203 participants in the age group of 18–67 years living in different covid active zones of India completed the online survey. Indian participants reported high engagement in various precautionary behaviours, with a high level of awareness and risk perception towards the diseases. Participants also expressed moderate to high level of worry towards the pandemic, with a moderate level of trust in the government’s ability to fight the pandemic. Further, a significant positive relationship was observed between risk severity, perceived personal risk impact, and anxiety towards the pandemic, and between awareness and engagement in precautionary behaviours. Additionally, only cognitive factors of risk perception (e.g., perceived psychological invulnerability and awareness about diseases) were found to be significant predictors for engagement in precautionary behaviours. Therefore, the present study emphasises how health agencies should create risk messages that increase people’s estimation of personal risk and knowledge towards the virus.

Mixed and worried? Examining the association between locality type and worrying about social phenomena in Arab citizens of Israel

This study examined the association between the type of locality ethnic minorities reside in and their worrying about social phenomena through the lens of the social capital theory. The study aimed at showing that worry profiles, as well the extent of being concerned about various social phenomena, are not the same for the minority residents of ethnically homogeneous and of ethnically heterogeneous localities. Moreover, the main assumption was that residing in heterogeneous locality corresponds to an increase in concerns about social phenomena. The data were obtained from the Personal and Community Security Index Survey which was conducted among the Arab citizens of Israel in 2020 (N = 947). The data were analyzed using multinomial and linear regression models. The results show that residing in ethnically mixed localities was associated with having a highly worried profile. Residing in mixed localities also related to a greater worry about the general social and the violence-related phenomena. The results supported the social capital theory. The results suggest that residing in ethnically homogeneous localities plays a protective role with respect to being concerned about social phenomena. The results imply that public decision makers should develop long-term plans to reduce worry levels in minority residents of ethnically mixed localities which will include provision of tailored services, fighting against violence, and informing about the proposed solutions for each phenomenon of concern.

Intolerance of Uncertainty, Negative Reinforcement Alcohol Use Motives, and Hazardous Drinking in College Students with Clinically Elevated Worry

Background: Hazardous drinking has remained high for college students in recent years, and individuals who endorse drinking to cope with emotional distress or to conform socially report higher levels of alcohol use. Intolerance of uncertainty, a core process underlying generalized anxiety disorder, has been linked to negative reinforcement drinking motives; however, no research, to date, has examined the role of intolerance of uncertainty in terms of alcohol use motives and hazardous drinking among individuals with generalized anxiety disorder. Objective: The current study was designed to examine the relationships between intolerance of uncertainty, coping and conformity alcohol use motives, and hazardous drinking in an analogue generalized anxiety disorder sample. Methods: Participants were 323 college students (Mage = 19.25, SD = 2.23, Range = 18–40) who endorsed past-year alcohol use and clinically elevated levels of worry. Self-report measures were completed online for course credit. Results: Partially consistent with our hypotheses, uncertainty paralysis predicted greater levels of coping motives, but not conformity motives. Desire for predictability did not predict either drinking motive. Mediation analyses revealed that there was a significant indirect effect of uncertainty paralysis on more hazardous drinking through greater coping motives. Conclusion: Overall, these findings highlight the potential utility of targeting behavioral inhibition due to uncertainty to reduce unhealthy coping via alcohol use and subsequent hazardous alcohol use.

Private renters in shared housing: investigating housing conditions and mental well-being in Australia during COVID-19

Lockdowns were the major policy response to COVID-19 containment in many countries, and subsequently many people spent abnormal amounts of time at home. Research has found that housing conditions affected more peoples’ mental health during the COVID-19 crisis than prior to it, and vulnerable groups were especially affected. One group that may be particularly vulnerable is private renters in shared housing. Using a socio-economic lens, our research examined to what extent mental well-being outcomes were associated with housing conditions in shared housing under COVID-19 restrictions in Australia. Data about private renters were obtained from the Australian Rental Housing Conditions Dataset (n = 1908), collected in mid-2020 during the easing of the first lockdown restrictions. Respondents living in shared arrangements reported higher levels of worry and anxiety (8.5–13.2%) and loneliness and isolation (3.7–18.3%) compared to other household types. Binary logistic regressions showed that COVID-19-related mental and financial well-being variables were the main contributors in COVID-19-related worry/anxiety and loneliness/isolation models. Accumulated housing problems were the only housing condition measure that was significant in the worry/anxiety model. Participants who had more than two people living in a household felt 1.4 times lonelier/isolated compared to those who lived with four or more people. Males and participants who reported good mental health were less likely to feel COVID-19-related worry/anxiety and loneliness/isolation. Our analysis demonstrates the importance of measures for mental health and income during a pandemic and concludes with recommendations of support for shared housing renters during and beyond crisis events.

Correlates of Crime Prevention and Perception of Safety Using the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior (KAB) Model

As empirical studies have progressed, various metrics and study areas have been incorporated into safety perception and worry about victimization. In this study, the Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior Model was applied in evaluating the cognitive and emotional domains of 401 residents of Zamboanga del Sur, Phillipines focusing on their knowledge of crime prevention, safety perception, and fears of victimization. Using the model, the knowledge of crime prevention, safety perception, and fear of victimization was considered an exploratory variable based on the common-sense assumption that feelings and emotions govern how people perceive certain things. The result shows that implemented crime prevention strategies in the province were observable, and community awareness is considerable. Regarding safety and security, the respondents rated the province as safe for everyone and moderately safe when personal belongings are left unattended. The threats to physical safety and security against persons and property are less likely to occur. Finally, the data show a statistically significant weak positive correlation between crime prevention and the perception of safety and security. The associations of safety and security and general satisfaction with personal safety among the representative samples show a significant positive weak correlation. Knowledge of crime prevention strategy and general satisfaction with personal safety shows a weak, statistically significant positive correlation. Thus, awareness of crime prevention significantly influences the safety perception, level of worry, and satisfaction with personal safety.

Individual emergency response and recovery: What people worried about during and after Hurricane Maria.

Hurricane Maria was a disastrous weather event that devastated Puerto Rico (PR) in September 2017. Yet, little is known about people's perceptions of this event. In this investigation, we offer insight about Hurricane Maria's impact on PR's inhabitants. More specifically, we study a sample (n = 542 responses) of individuals' worry levels through four time points during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria: their variation through time, their relationship to decision making, and if and how certain demographic variables may influence them. For these purposes, we designed and implemented the Individual Emergency Response and Recovery Questionnaire, a web-based survey that measured several aspects of the objective and subjective experiences of individuals who underwent Hurricane Maria in PR. Results of a statistical analysis using nonparametric tests show that some of the demographic variables selected as factors of interest influence the worry levels reported by respondents. Most significant results coincide with conclusions drawn by literature: that time, age group, and the level of information influence worry levels. Another key finding is that the worry level may influence individual decision-making frequency. Understanding principal factors in people's behavior and perceptions during hurricanes is crucial to help us learn how to better prepare for and respond to natural disasters in the future.

Worry About COVID-19 and Other Extreme Events Amongst Educators in Australia.

The significant disruption of COVID-19 on schooling has heightened concerns about its impact on educators' wellbeing. The current study examined how educators' worry regarding the COVID-19 pandemic compared to their worry about other extreme events, such as natural disasters and critical incidents (a death or suicide of a child, young person, or colleague). Educators report that they were most worried about COVID-19. Educators working in preschools were more worried about COVID-19 and natural disasters than those in primary and secondary schools. However, worry regarding critical incidents increased with the age of students taught. Worry was influenced by socio-economic advantage (SEIFA), whereby educators working in higher SEIFA communities were less worried about natural disasters and critical incidents but shared similar levels of worry about COVID-19 as educators in lower SEIFA communities. With a better understanding about how different types of worry and levels of worry vary across different educator groups and different contexts, more effective supports can be developed and offered.

Determining levels of knowledge, worry, anxiety and intention to get vaccinated during the recent monkeypox outbreak: a cross-sectional study from the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Determining levels of knowledge, worry, anxiety and intention to get vaccinated during the recent monkeypox outbreak: a cross-sectional study from the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Longitudinal associations of chronic health stress and COVID-19-related anxiety among outpatients with anxiety and mood disorders.

The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led to elevated levels of psychological distress on a global scale. Given that individuals with pre-existing physical conditions are at risk for worse COVID-19 outcomes, those dealing with the stress of physical health problems (including knowing someone with health problems) may experience more severe distress during the pandemic. Patients with emotional disorders who completed a diagnostic assessment in the 6months prior to COVID-19 were surveyed in May-June 2020 on their emotional reactions to COVID-19 (N = 77). Multiple linear regression was used to test the hypothesis that chronic stress due to having and knowing others with physical health problems would predict COVID-related worries and behaviours, holding pre-COVID levels of depression, anxiety and worry about health constant. Chronic stress surrounding the health of others was significantly associated with experiencing more severe COVID-related worry and behaviours. In comparison, chronic stress due to one's own health problems had weak and non-significant associations with COVID-related worries and behaviours. Results indicate that outpatients who report stress about surrounding loved one's health are at risk for experiencing more severe distress during a health pandemic and thus, may benefit from targeted outreach, assessment and intervention.

From theory to practice: a novel meditation program at a global corporation

Global levels of stress, worry, sadness, and anger hit new highs in recent years, and employee well-being has been identified as a necessary focus in occupational health. Developed over 6 years in a large multi-national company, the Meditation Without Expectations™ 8-week course evolved from theories to practice. The intervention teaches 8 meditation techniques in a specific order and incorporates health coaching and adult learning principles that drive impact. The wellbeing program was offered using a virtual online platform to employees in more than 30 countries during 2021-22. Its effectiveness was evaluated using established standard questions and cutting-edge consumer research methods. The descriptive study uses quantitative and qualitative analyses from more than a thousand employees. Paired t-tests are used to compare pre- and post-course survey scores. The test subjects who completed the 8-week course had significant improvements (p < 0.0001) across genders, geographies, and durations of employment, and in all measured domains of stress, mindfulness, resiliency, and empathy, whereas the comparison group did not. Advanced topics analysis is used to extract common learning objectives from unstructured text submitted by enrolled employees, which helped focus the intervention on what people need or want to learn. A proprietary artificial intelligence model is used to classify subjects’ comments after completing the course, finding highly positive outcomes with potential for new habit creation due to a mental model change. A framework of characteristics that make the intervention impactful is also shared.

Psychological Inflexibility, Ruminative Thinking, Worry and Self- Compassion in Relation to College Adjustment

The mental health of college students has received more attention due to the increase in psychological distress starting from the beginning of university life. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one of the third wave Cognitive Behavioral approaches, focuses on behavior change by emphasizing acceptance and awareness with its core concept of psychological inflexibility. This study aimed to investigate the role of psychological inflexibility, rumination, worry, and self-compassion on college adjustment within a path analysis by implementing structural equation modeling. 657 (486 female, 171 male) freshman students at a state university participated in the study. In terms of data collection tools, The University Life Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, the Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire, The Penn State Worry Questionnaire, and The Self-Compassion Scale were used. The results indicated that psychological inflexibility significantly predicted students’ self-compassion, rumination, worry, and college adjustment levels. On the other hand, the results also revealed that while self-compassion significantly predicted college adjustment, rumination and worry levels did not significantly predict the college adjustment of freshman students. The discussions and implications of the study were presented, as well as suggestions for further studies.

Between here and there: comparing the worry about the pandemic between older Italian international migrants and natives in Switzerland

Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, people have been worried about COVID-19. As one of the risk groups, persons aged 65 and older are especially vulnerable. Additionally, minorities and migrants are hit harder by the pandemic than natives. Using data from the TransAge survey, a study including over 3000 older persons (65+) living in Switzerland and Italy, we show that the levels of worry about the pandemic are significantly higher among Italian international migrants living in Switzerland than among Swiss natives. We are not able to fully explain the difference using sociodemographic variables, the COVID-19 situation at the time of the interview, and international migrants’ transnationalism behavior. Nevertheless, transnationalism explains a large part of the difference in worry between the two groups and our study sheds light on the importance of two specific transnational aspects, having Swiss nationality and voting behavior, for the prevention of elevated levels of worry of international migrants.

Effect of the probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P9, on chronic constipation: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Chronic constipation (CC) is a common gastrointestinal condition associated with intestinal inflammation, and the condition considerably impairs patients’ quality of life. We conducted a large-scale 42-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effect of probiotics in alleviating CC. 163 patients diagnosed with CC (following Rome IV criteria) were randomly divided into probiotic (n = 78; received Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P9 [P9]; 1 ×1011 CFU/day) and placebo (n = 85; received placebo material) groups. Ingesting P9 significantly improved the weekly mean frequency of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) and spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs), while significantly reducing the level of worries and concerns (WO; P < 0.05). Comparing with the placebo group, P9 group was significantly enriched in potentially beneficial bacteria (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Ruminococcus_B gnavus), while depriving of several bacterial and phage taxa (Oscillospiraceae sp., Lachnospiraceae sp., and Herelleviridae; P < 0.05). Interesting significant correlations were also observed between some clinical parameters and subjects’ gut microbiome, including: negative correlation between Oscillospiraceae sp. and SBMs; positive correlation between WO and Oscillospiraceae sp., Lachnospiraceae sp. Additionally, P9 group had significantly (P < 0.05) more predicted gut microbial bioactive potential involved in the metabolism of amino acids (L-asparagine, L-pipecolinic acid), short-/medium-chain fatty acids (valeric acid and caprylic acid). Furthermore, several metabolites (p-cresol, methylamine, trimethylamine) related to the intestinal barrier and transit decreased significantly after P9 administration (P < 0.05). In short, the constipation relief effect of P9 intervention was accompanied by desirable changes in the fecal metagenome and metabolome. Our findings support the notion of applying probiotics in managing CC.

Quality of life measures in dysplastic Barrett’s oesophagus are comparable to patients with non-dysplastic Barrett’s oesophagus and do not improve after endoscopic therapy

ObjectiveBarrett’s oesophagus (BO) is a precursor lesion, via dysplastic phases, to oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Although overall risk from BO is low, it has been shown to adversely affect health-related quality of...