Levels Of Worry Research Articles

Evaluating the impact of financial worry on mental health: a cross-sectional study among Kenyan radiographers

BackgroundPsychological distress is a major public health concern that has many influencing factors. One of them is the financial capability of an individual. Despite the integral role of radiographers in healthcare delivery, there is limited literature about radiographers in Kenya and more so regarding their mental well-being. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the effect of perceived financial worry on mental health among Kenyan radiographers.MethodsData was collected from registered radiographers in Kenya through an online survey conducted between December 2023 and January 2024. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between financial worry and psychological distress.ResultsOut of the 2055 radiographers invited to participate in the survey, 245 responded (11.92% response rate). The gender distribution of the respondents was 39.2% female and 60.8% male, closely mirroring the latest data on registered radiographers (37.3% female and 62.7% male). Most respondents in our study were under 30 years old (56.7%). The majority of radiographers (62.4%) reported poor social support. Additionally, most radiographers experienced some level of financial concern across various issues, with an average financial worry score of 16.75 (standard deviation: 4.97; minimum 3, maximum 24). A significant proportion (36.7%) also showed signs of psychological distress. Individuals with higher levels of financial worry were noted to be more likely to experience psychological distress after adjusting for the socioeconomic and health-related variables (adjusted odds ratio, AOR 1.20, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.10–1.31, p < 0.001). Furthermore, individuals with at least moderate social support (AOR: 0.39; 95% CI 0.18–0.86, p = 0.019) and larger families (AOR: 0.11; 95% CI 0.02–0.78, p = 0.027) were less likely to experience psychological distress compared to their peers.ConclusionsA significant number of radiographers reported experiencing financial worry which was associated with an increased likelihood of psychological distress. This emphasizes the need for policies and mechanisms to address financial worry and psychological distress to have a more resilient medical workforce in Kenya.

Emotional Reactivity and Regulation Relate to Surgical Treatment Decision Making Among Newly Diagnosed Women With Breast Cancer.

Despite bilateral mastectomy (BLM) for early-stage breast cancer (BC) showing no survival benefit and increased risk compared to breast conserving surgery, some patients still choose this treatment. This study examined whether emotion reactivity and regulation influence treatment decision making among newly diagnosed women with breast cancer. Cross-sectional survey data were analyzed as part of a larger study. Measures included the Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy (CPM) survey, PROMIS Anxiety scale, and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) Cognitive Reappraisal and Emotional Suppression subscales. Primary analysis included a logistic regression model predicting treatment choice (BLM vs. non-BLM). Participants (N = 137) with unilateral BC (Stages 0-III) were divided between BLM (n = 66) versus breast conserving surgery (i.e., non-BLM, n = 71) treatment groups. Compared to the non-BLM group, the BLM group was younger, more likely to be partnered, and had a higher household income. Women with high levels of BC-specific worry were 3.6 times more likely to choose BLM compared to women with low levels of worry (OR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.07-0.8.93). Those who used cognitive reappraisal were 10% less likely to choose BLM compared to women who did not use cognitive reappraisal (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82-0.99). There were no group differences in levels of generalized anxiety (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.87-0.99) or emotional suppression (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.90-1.16). Findings suggest the choice of BLM may be due, in part, to negative emotional experiences after a BC diagnosis and lesser use of reappraisal to reframe cancer-related fears. These may be important targets of intervention to support women making BC treatment decisions.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health of Health Education Specialists

The physical, mental, and professional impacts of the pandemic on healthcare and public health workers have been widely discussed in the media and the scientific literature, but what is known about health education specialists (HES) appears to be far less. To address this gap, a brief online survey including questions from the PHQ-9 Depression Questionnaire, General Anxiety Disorder Scale, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale, Brief COPE, the Transtheoretical Model, and the Health Belief Model, was sent to certified (CHES®) and master certified (MCHES®) HES. Of the 11,743 successfully delivered, 1,480 (13%) were completed. The overwhelmingly female (89%), white (71.5%), non-Hispanic (86%), respondents reported being employed full-time (80.7%) and holding at least a master’s degree (77.7%). Though approximately half of participants reported at least some level of anxiety, worry, trouble sleeping, tiredness, poor appetite or overeating, trouble concentrating, depression, and/or little interest in doing things, the majority had not sought treatment. Not surprisingly, there was a significant correlation between those who reported a notable increase in COVID-19 work hours and those who felt nervous, anxious, or on edge over the last two weeks (r=8.5, p&lt;.05). HES frequently turned to various forms of healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms besides professional treatment. These findings are important both to document the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the HES workforce, as well as to highlight the ways employers can offer appropriate support to those needing mental health interventions.

Investigating the impact of COVID-19 related worries and loneliness on alcohol consumption: an ecological momentary assessment.

Adverse alcohol consumption is a major public health concern, which might have been further increased by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study we investigated the impact of a lockdown stage on the association between alcohol consumption, loneliness, and COVID-19-related worries. We used smartphone-based Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. We recruited 280 participants from the general population, who experienced at least mild loneliness and distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed daily alcohol intake, loneliness, and COVID-19-related worries every evening for 7 consecutive days across a no-lockdown [8th August 2020-1st November 2020] and lockdown stage [2nd November 2020-11th March 2021]. We did not find that a lockdown stage, compared to a no-lockdown stage, is associated with increased alcohol consumption. We found that loneliness, previous day drinking, and COVID-19-related worries were not associated with increased, but with decreased alcohol consumption. Moreover, COVID-19-related worries were more negatively associated with alcohol consumption during a no-lockdown stage compared to a lockdown stage. We found that the effect of COVID-19 related worries on alcohol consumption is mediated by loneliness. Our study suggests that heightened levels of worry can decrease alcohol intake. This association can be explained by loneliness: individuals who worry more are lonelier and thus less likely to engage in social drinking. However, during a lockdown stage, the negative association between worrying and drinking diminishes.

Living in the vicinity of pesticide-treated crop fields: Exploring associated perceptions and psychological aspects in relation to self-reported and registry-based health symptoms

BackgroundExposure to pesticides in the living environment can be associated with the prevalence of health symptoms. This study investigates associations between health symptoms among residents in areas with fruit crop fields where pesticides are applied, and psychological perceptions and attitudes about environmental aspects and exposures.MethodsA cross-sectional survey combined with routine primary care electronic health records (EHR) data was conducted in 2017 in rural areas of the Netherlands with high concentration of fruit crops (n = 3,321, aged ≥ 16 years). Individual exposure to pesticides was estimated using geocoded data on fruit crops around the home. Validated instruments were used to assess symptom report and psychological perceptions and attitudes. Annual prevalence of various health symptoms was derived from EHRs. Multilevel regression models were used to analyze associations between health symptoms (outcome), fruit crops, and multiple psychological perceptions and attitudes (confounders).ResultsLiving in the vicinity of fruit crop fields was generally not associated with self-reported symptom duration and general practitioner (GP) registered symptoms. For self-reported symptoms, symptom prevalence decreased when crop density within 250 m and 500 m from the home increased. No associations were found at other distances. Furthermore, higher levels of environmental worries, perceived exposure, and perceived sensitivity to pesticides and attribution of symptoms to environmental exposures were generally associated with a higher number of self-reported symptoms, and longer symptom duration. Symptoms reported to GPs were not associated with psychological perceptions and attitudes, except for perceived sensitivity to pesticides.ConclusionPsychological perceptions and attitudes appear to be related to self-reported symptoms, but not to GP-registered symptoms, independent of the actual levels of exposure as measured by the size of the area of crop fields. Perceptions about environmental factors should be taken into account in environmental health risk assessment research when studying health symptoms.

A qualitative study exploring the experiences and needs of fear of disease progression in patients after open-heart surgery

ObjectiveOpen-heart surgery (OHS) is a stressful event for patients, all of whom experience varying levels of worry and fear, leading to fear of disease progression (FoP). An in-depth understanding of the experiences and needs of FoP in patients after OHS is beneficial for healthcare providers to make optimal decisions, but this has not been reported. We aimed to explore the experiences and needs of FoP in patients after OHS by adopting a qualitative interview method. MethodsA qualitative study was performed to recruit 18 qualified patients through purposive sampling and then conduct face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. The research setting was the cardiovascular surgery ward of a tertiary hospital in Guangdong, China, in 2024. The data were analyzed and extracted using conventional content analysis. ResultsIn the study, four themes emerged: a) sources of FoP; b) effects of FoP; c) attitudes towards FoP; d) supportive service needs. The desire to obtain meaningful assistance and the profound experiences of FoP in patients after OHS gave rise to these themes. ConclusionsFoP following OHS is a subjective feeling characterized by fear and discomfort. Care workers must completely grasp the patients' fear and provide personalized interventions to support them through the difficult recovery phase, which will also be the focus of future efforts in this area.

Healthcare workers’ knowledge and preparedness for unprecedented foodborne botulism outbreak in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundThe recent unprecedented foodborne botulism outbreak in Saudi Arabia necessitated an assessment of healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). This study assessed healthcare workers' knowledge regarding the transmission, contagiousness, presentation, and diagnosis of foodborne botulism, as well as their management practices, including contacting public health authorities, administering antitoxin, preparedness to respond to botulism cases and consulting generative Artificial Intelligent (AI)-chatbots, like ChatGPT. MethodsA cross-sectional online survey targeting Saudi HCWs was conducted from May 6–19, 2024, following the first foodborne botulism outbreak. The survey, developed by infectious disease and public health experts according to the Saudi Public Health Authority (SPHA) botulism guidelines, covered several sections: demographics, knowledge about foodborne botulism, attitudes and perceptions, intended practices, and worry level. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, multivariable linear regression to assess factors influencing knowledge, and multivariable logistic binary regression to evaluate factors affecting confidence in handling botulism. ResultsAmong the 1058 participants, the knowledge score was 9.69/20 (48.4 % correct ± 18 %), with higher scores among HCWs working in tertiary centers, older than 34 years, reading SPHA botulism protocol, and using scientific journals as main information sources. HCWs consulting ChatGPT had significantly lower knowledge scores (p-value < 0.001). HCWs displayed highly intended practices in managing botulism, with a mean score of 4.10/5. The self-rated management confidence was moderate (2.84 ± 1.05 out of 5-points). Multivariable logistic binary regression showed that previous experience with botulism and reading SPHA protocol were the most significant factors associated with a higher management confidence. ConclusionsThis study highlights significant HCWs’ knowledge gaps during unprecedented foodborne botulism outbreak. Previous experience with botulism cases and reading recent guidelines were associated with higher knowledge and confidence, while reliance on ChatGPT was linked to lower scores. This study emphasizes the importance of timely publishing local guidelines to favorably affect both knowledge and confidence to deal with infectious outbreaks. Future research should evaluate long-term effectiveness of educational interventions.

Heightened vulnerabilities to anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic: an intersectional analysis

ABSTRACT This study examines how anti-Asian racism intersects with sexism and ageism, impacting Asian Americans’ fear of racial victimization. Using nationally representative data from the “Dynamics of Social Life during COVID-19” survey, we show that these intersections affect subjective experiences of racism among young and older Asian Americans across various ethnic groups in the U.S. Younger Asian women report the highest levels of worry about racism, with this concern decreasing with age. In contrast, older Asian men worry more than younger men. Asian women also reported more instances of unfair treatment and discrimination, while Asian men reported higher instances of racial violence. Our findings reveal that anti-Asian racism is a multifaceted phenomenon shaped by intersections of gender, age, and ethnicity. We discuss existing obstacles and potential pathways to building panethnic solidarity among Asians across cultures.

Providing Information or Support Based on Cancer Worry Can Decrease Psychological Distress Among Daughters of Women with Breast Cancer

Cancer Worry (CW) can shape the responses and behaviors of information or support-seeking of daughters of women with breast cancer. This study aims to explore the roles of Cancer Worry (CW) as a moderator and mediator in the relationship between information needs, support needs, and psychological distress. A cross-sectional and correlational design was used in conjunction with a convenience sampling strategy. Daughters of mothers with breast cancer were requested to complete the questionnaires Impact of Event Scale Chinese version (IES-C), Cancer Worry Scale for Genetic Counseling (CWS-GC), and Information and Support Needs Questionnaire (ISNQ). Hayes' PROCESS macro using SPSS for Windows were used to examine the mediator and moderator role of CW. A total of 194 daughters provided data. Cancer worry was significantly correlated with total IES (r = 0.352, P < .01), intrusion-IES (r = 0.353, P < .01), avoidance-IES (r = 0.313, P < .01), unmet support needs (r = 0.226, P < .01), and unmet information needs (r = 0.17, P < .05). Cancer worry mediated the relationship between unmet support needs and total IES (β = 0.089, 95% CI: 0.026, 0.171) and moderated the relationship between unmet information needs and total IES (β = -0.395, P = .018, 95% CI: -0.723, -0.066). The role of cancer worry should be paid attention to when clinicians deliver information and provide support as well as tailoring psychological intervention for ameliorating distress in daughters of women with breast cancer. Providing personalized information and support is essential to address the unmet needs of daughters of women with breast cancer. Healthcare professionals providing interventions to reduce distress and improve overall care should consider individual CW. This research looks at how worrying about cancer affects daughters of women who have breast cancer. It focuses on the degree of cancer worry changes the way they feel when they don't get the information and support. Researchers used surveys to gather data from these daughters, examining how their level of cancer worry influenced their needs for information and support and their psychological distress. They found that greater unmet support needs will intensify worry about cancer and then increase psychological stress. However, too much or too little worry about cancer will also heighten their psychological distress due to limited information. The findings suggest that healthcare providers, including nurses, should consider the level of worry about cancer when offering support and information to these individuals to help reduce their stress.

Correlation of intratumoral mast cell quantity with psychosocial distress in patients with pancreatic cancer: the PancStress study

Mast cells are commonly found in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), yet their role in the disease remains uncertain. Although mast cells have been associated with depression in several diseases, their connection to PDAC in this context remains unclear. This study explored the correlation between mast cells and psychosocial stress in patients with PDAC. Prior to surgery, 40 patients with PDAC (n = 29 primary resected, n = 11 neoadjuvant treated) completed four questionnaires assessing stress and quality of life. Immunostaining was performed on the resected tumor tissue. Spearman analysis was employed to correlate mast cells with distress and neuropeptides serotonin and beta-endorphin serum and tissue levels. Patients with PDAC exhibited elevated levels of distress and worry. Lower number of mast cells within the tumor correlated with greater psychological burden. Among primary resected patients, mast cell count moderately correlated with joy and inversely with worries. Following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, strong inverse correlation was observed between anxiety, depression, and mast cell quantity. No correlation was found between mast cells and serotonin or beta-endorphin levels. In summary, mast cell presence inversely correlates with psychosocial stress, suggesting a link between immune cells and psychological well-being in pancreatic cancer. Targeting mast cells might offer therapeutic avenues for addressing cancer-induced depression and anxiety.

Fear of recurrence and its association with mental health outcomes after spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)

Abstract Background Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute myocardial infarction, predominantly affecting younger women with few traditional cardiac risk factors. The condition is characterised by relatively high rates of recurrence. Recent qualitative studies demonstrate that SCAD survivors often experience fears about the future, particularly relating to SCAD recurrence and death. Research in psycho-oncology demonstrates that experiencing fear of cancer recurrence predicts worse outcomes for mental health and quality of life, an association that is also likely in cardiac patients. To date, no quantitative research has investigated fear of recurrence and its association with mental health in SCAD survivors. Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of fears relating to SCAD recurrence and the association of fear of recurrence with mental health outcomes. Methods 293 SCAD survivors completed an online questionnaire assessing the psychosocial impacts of SCAD. Participants rated whether they experienced these impacts ‘not at all’, ‘a small amount, ‘a moderate amount’ or ‘a large amount’ within the first six months of their SCAD. Items related to fears about the future, recurrence, and death were extracted for analysis. Participants also completed measures of anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), distress (Cardiac Distress Inventory - Short Form), and mental health related quality of life (Short Form 12, mental health component). Results In the six months following their SCAD, 97.6% of survivors experienced some level of worry about having another SCAD, 95.6% were concerned about triggering another SCAD, 95.6% experienced fear of the future, and 82.6% experienced fear of dying. Reports of experiencing ‘a large amount’ of fear in these areas were 54.6%, 45.1%, 42.7%, and 30.4% respectively. The amount of worry reported about having another SCAD was significantly associated with increased levels of anxiety, depression, and cardiac distress, and reduced mental health quality of life. Conclusions Almost all SCAD survivors reported fears, worries, and concerns related to recurrence. Worry about SCAD recurrence was significantly associated with important mental health outcomes. Cardiac health professionals should monitor fears of recurrence in their patients, as a large amount of worry may be indicative of poor mental health, and referral to psychology services may be appropriate.Rates of fears of SCAD recurrence

The association of micro and macro worries with psychological distress in people living with chronic kidney disease during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Psychological distress can be exacerbated by micro (personal) and macro (societal) worries, especially during challenging times. Exploration of this relationship in people with chronic kidney disease is limited. (1) To identify the types and levels of worries concerning people with chronic kidney disease in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) to explore the association of worries with psychological distress including depression, stress, anxiety, and health anxiety. A cross-sectional online survey collected data at two time points (Autumn 2020, n = 528; Spring 2021, n = 241). Participants included kidney transplant recipients and people with non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease. The survey included questions about worry taken from the World Health Organisation COVID-19 Survey, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and the Short Health Anxiety Index. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. Worries about loved ones' health, the healthcare system becoming overloaded, losing a loved one, economic recession, and physical health were the highest rated concerns. Worrying about mental health was associated with higher depression, stress, anxiety, and health anxiety. Worrying about physical health was associated with anxiety and health anxiety. Worrying about losing a loved one was associated with health anxiety, and worrying about not being able to pay bills was associated with stress. People with kidney disease reported micro and macro worries associated with psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study highlights factors that should be considered to improve the mental health and well-being of people with kidney disease.

Cancer-related Fear and Worry in Patients with Low-Risk Thyroid Cancer: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Little is known about how patients' emotions impact the choice between hemi- and total thyroidectomy (TT) for low-risk thyroid cancer (LR-TC) and how these emotions change after treatment. To investigate thyroid cancer-specific fear and worry both before and after treatment of LR-TC with hemi- or TT. This prospective cohort study enrolled adults with confirmed or likely LR-TC at 15 institutions. Participants completed measures of thyroid cancer-related fear and worry at the time of their treatment decision and 9-months later. Participants were categorized as having low, medium, or high levels of fear and worry in accordance with the literature. Those choosing hemi-thyroidectomy were compared to those choosing TT. Of 177eligible patients, 125 (70.6%) enrolled and 114 completed both surveys (91.2% retention). Overall, 41 (36.0%) participants chose hemi-thyroidectomy and 73 (64.0%) chose TT. Across all participants, thyroid cancer-related fear and worry both decreased significantly after surgery (fear 25.8±6.4 to 23.1±7.4; worry 8.2±2.4 to 5.4±2.1, p<0.001). The proportion of participants with high fear decreased from 64.9% to 50.9%, while the proportion with high worry decreased from 75.4% to 41.2% (p<0.001 for both). At both time points, no differences existed between those choosing hemi- and TT in levels of worry or fear. Patients with LR-TC report lower levels of fear and worry 9-months after surgery regardless of the extent of surgery, suggesting that both surgeries provide an emotional benefit to some patients. Thyroid cancer-related fear and worry do not appear to influence patients' decisions to undergo hemi- or TT.

A randomized controlled trial of a self-guided mobile app targeting repetitive negative thought to prevent depression in university students: study protocol of the Nurture-U Reducing Worry prevention trial

BackgroundTackling poor mental health in university students has been identified as a priority in higher education. However, there are few evidence-based prevention initiatives designed for students. Repetitive Negative Thought (RNT, e.g. worry, rumination) is elevated in university students and is a well-established vulnerability factor for anxiety and depression. Furthermore, there are now evidence-based cognitive-behavioural interventions to tackle RNT. A mobile self-help cognitive-behavioural app targeting RNT, adapted for students may therefore be an effective, scalable, and acceptable way to improve prevention in students.MethodsAn online single blind, two-arm parallel-group Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) to examine the incidence of major depression and symptoms of anxiety and depression across 12 months in university students aged over 16 who screen into the study with self-reported high levels of worry and/or rumination and no current diagnosis of major depression. Eligible participants will be randomised to the active intervention arm (usual practice plus using a self-guided mobile app targeting RNT) or to the control arm (usual practice). In total, 648 participants aged over 16, with no current major depression, bipolar disorder or psychosis will be recruited from UK universities. Assessments will take place at baseline (pre-randomisation), 3 months and 12 months post- randomisation. Primary endpoint and outcome is incidence of major depression as determined by self-reported diagnostic criteria at 12-month follow-up. Depressive symptoms, anxiety, well-being, health-related quality of life, functioning and academic outcomes are secondary outcomes. Compliance, adverse events, and potentially mediating variables will be carefully monitored.DiscussionThe trial aims to provide a better understanding of the causal role of tackling RNT (worry, rumination) using a self-help mobile app with respect to preventing depression in university students. This knowledge will be used to develop and disseminate innovative evidence-based, feasible, and effective mobile-health public health strategies for preventing common mental health problems.Trial registrationhttps://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN86795807 Date of registration: 27 October 2022

Risk Perception, Cooperation, and Emotional Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring Adaptive Risk Perception

During the COVID-19 pandemic, while risk perception may promote public cooperation with pandemic prevention, it may also increase emotional distress and thus endanger mental health. This study aimed to examine whether there is an adaptive risk perception pattern that fits both needs of pandemic control and mental health protection. Two waves of Chinese participants (N sample 1 = 1633, N sample 2 = 1899) completed the Scale of Pandemic Risk Perception, the Scale of Public Cooperation with Pandemic Prevention, the Epidemic Worry Scale, and the Positive and Negative Affective Schedule during Feb 3rd to 5th, and during Feb 18th to 20th, 2021 respectively. Four risk perception profiles were identified by using latent profile analysis based on pandemic risk perception. Regression mixture models found that individuals in the perceived-controllable-high-perceived-risk profile were the most cooperative and reported the least worries and negative affect. The perceived-uncontrollable-high-perceived-risk profile demonstrated high cooperation but serious worry and negative affect. Individuals in the ignoring-risk profile reported the least levels of cooperation and worry but the highest levels of negative affect. Finally, the perceived-moderate-perceived-risk profile reported moderate levels of both cooperation and emotional distress. These results were well repeated in two samples. Present findings point towards an adaptive risk perception pattern (the controllable-high-perceived-risk profile) which may optimize cooperation while also avoid serious emotional distress.

The links between symptom burden, illness perception, psychological resilience, social support, coping modes, and cancer-related worry in Chinese early-stage lung cancer patients after surgery: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the links between the clinical, demographic, and psychosocial factors and cancer-related worry in patients with early-stage lung cancer after surgery.MethodsThe study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design. Questionnaires, including assessments of cancer-related worry, symptom burden, illness perception, psychological resilience, coping modes, social support and participant characteristics, were distributed to 302 individuals in early-stage lung cancer patients after surgery. The data collection period spanned from January and October 2023. Analytical procedures encompassed descriptive statistics, independent Wilcoxon Rank Sum test, Kruskal-Wallis- H- test, Spearman correlation analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression.ResultsAfter surgery, 89.07% had cancer-related worries, with a median (interquartile range, IQR) CRW score of 380.00 (130.00, 720.00). The most frequently cited concern was the cancer itself (80.46%), while sexual issues were the least worrisome (44.37%). Regression analyses controlling for demographic variables showed that higher levels of cancer-related worry (CRW) were associated with increased symptom burden, illness perceptions, and acceptance-rejection coping modes, whereas they had lower levels of psychological resilience, social support and confrontation coping modes, and were more willing to obtain information about the disease from the Internet or applications. Among these factors, the greatest explanatory power in the regression was observed for symptom burden, illness perceptions, social support, and sources of illness information (from the Internet or applications), which collectively explained 52.00% of the variance.ConclusionsHealthcare providers should be aware that worry is a common issue for early stage lung cancer survivors with a favorable prognosis. During post-operative recovery, physicians should identify patient concerns and address unmet needs to improve patients’ emotional state and quality of life through psychological support and disease education.

Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Effect on University Students’ Fitness Level

Background and Study Purpose: Through the present paper, we aimed to determine to what extent physical capacity was affected by the restrictions during the pandemic. This confirmatory study hypothesises that university students’ fitness level and effort capacity decreased after the pandemic compared to the results obtained before sanitary restrictions. Material and Methods: Fifty female students at the economic faculties, part of two groups of 25 each, in the age range between 19 and 21, passed six physical tests. The applied physical tests targeted strength (sit-ups and squads in 30 s), power (standing long jump), flexibility (sit and reach), coordination (Matorin test), and cardio-respiratory fitness level (Ruffier test). Results: All test results, except one, demonstrate a statistically significant difference, confirming the hypothesis that the two samples differ in strength, power, flexibility, coordination, and cardio-respiratory fitness. By calculating Cohen d effect size, the standardized mean difference of the pandemic effect demonstrates how substantially different are the two samples. Conclusions: This study compares objective results of standardised fitness tests in two successive samples of young women that can contribute to a better understanding of the long-term impact of the pandemic breakdown on the fitness level. The physical abilities decrease between 10 and 28 per cent, with the most worrying level recorded at flexibility and abdominal strength tests. Remedial measures are needed to reverse the physical potential decrease of young adults after the sanitary crisis. A diminished physical potential of the future educated workforce would have lasting effects on their physical and mental health with higher healthcare expenditure and economic consequences due to a resilience and productivity decrease.

Is Climate Change Worry Fostering Young Italian Adults’ Psychological Distress? An Italian Exploratory Study on the Mediation Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty and Future Anxiety

Climate Change is a phenomenon that has been increasingly investigated in the literature from a psychological perspective for its impact on mental health, particularly that of young adults who, already affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, are highly worried about it. Despite this, few studies have been conducted in the Mediterranean region, especially in southern Italy, and little consideration has been given to the role of other variables in the relationship between environmental emotions and mental health. The present study aims to explore the relationship between Climate Change Worry and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in a sample of 283 Italian young adults (age range 18–25; M = 21.3; SD = 1.7) from Southern Italy (91% from Campania), examining the mediating effect that Intolerance of Uncertainty and Future Anxiety have on the target. At the same time, it endeavors to explore the joint effect of the two mediators in the relationship between Climate Change Worry and Psychological Distress. Findings highlighted that Climate Change Worry had a significant positive effect on Anxiety and Stress levels and positively influenced Intolerance of Uncertainty and Future Anxiety; the latter two also increased the impact of Climate Change Worry on Psychological Distress, acting as vulnerability factors in all parallel mediation models performed and, specifically, in the fully mediated Depression model. Furthermore, the findings of the serial model corroborated the joint effect of the two mediators and highlighted how young adults with higher levels of Climate Change Worry experienced more Intolerance of Uncertainty, which positively influenced Future Anxiety levels and, in turn, exacerbated the Global Psychological Distress. Finally, levels of Psychological Distress, Climate Change Worry, and Future Anxiety were significantly higher in women. To conclude, exploring the indirect pathways through which negative environmental emotions affect Psychological Distress seems to be a fertile research area to study in more depth the impact of the climate crisis on new generations.

Examining the Relationship and the Gender Differences between Re-Injury Worry, Confidence, and Attention after a Sport Musculoskeletal Injury.

Introduction: A sport injury is an unfortunate event that can significantly impact the injured athletes' psychology. There have been no studies examining gender differences in the psychological state after a sport-related musculoskeletal injury. Τhe aims of the current study were to (a) investigate the relationship between re-injury worry levels, confidence, and attention in the injured athletes who followed a rehabilitation program in order to return to competition, and (b) compare differences in these psychological factors between male and female athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used. A total of 60 athletes (30 men and 30 women) volunteered to participate, aged 25.50 ± 5.25 years old, all of whom had experienced a musculoskeletal injury within the past year. Three validated questionnaires, i.e., the Causes of Re-Injury Worry Questionnaire, the Sport Confidence Questionnaire of Rehabilitated Athletes Returning to Competition, and the Attention Questionnaire of Rehabilitated Athletes Returning to Competition, were completed by the participants on their first competitive game after their rehabilitation program. Results: All of the athletes experienced average levels of re-injury worry due to their opponents' ability and distraction attention, and high levels of confidence and functional attention. Many factors from the questionnaires were correlated with each other. Men experienced lower levels of re-injury worry due to rehabilitation compared to the women athletes (U = 329.00, p < 0.05), and women exhibited higher "Re-injury Worry due to Opponent's Ability" compared to the men athletes (U = 292.00, p < 0.01). Conclusions: A strong relationship was found between re-injury worry, confidence, and attention, with few gender differences. Since there is no previous research examining re-injury worry, confidence, and attention between men and women, future research with larger and more homogeneous samples is needed to confirm the present results.

Parental care and overprotection predict worry and anxiety symptoms in emerging adult students

Anxiety disorders represent a prevalent mental health concern, with escalating rates, especially among emerging adults. University students, in particular, face a myriad of academic and life stressors that can amplify feelings of worry and anxiety. While early parental bonding seem to predict anxiety disorders later in life, the applicability to emerging adult students and its applicability to predict sub-clinical and transdiagnostic anxiety features remain unclear. This study aims to examine i) the relationship between demographic variables and key features of anxiety disorders (i.e., worry and anxiety symptoms); and ii) the predictive association between early parental bonding and anxiety-related features. A sample of 370 university students in Italy (n = 279 females; M age = 20.84 years, SD age = 1.81 years) completed the Parental Bonding Instrument, the Penn State Worry Questionnaire, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Females reported higher levels of worry and anxiety compared to males. Significantly higher worry and anxiety symptoms were reported by individuals who experienced affectionless control (low care and high overprotection) as compared to those exposed to optimal parenting (high care and low overprotection). Predictive models indicated that scores of parental care (i.e., the principal component between maternal and paternal care scores) and parental overprotection (i.e., the principal component between maternal and paternal overprotection scores) are robust predictors of worry and anxiety symptoms. However, this relationship showed a gender-specific pattern: lower parental care was more significant in predicting anxiety features in males, while high overprotection was more significant in females. The findings contribute to the comprehension of the risk factors influencing the susceptibility of emerging adult students to anxiety disorders.