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Introduction: In stressful times, people often listen to "coping songs" that help them reach emotional well-being goals. This paper is a first attempt to map the connection between an individual's well-being goals and their chosen coping song. Methods: We assembled a large-scale dataset of 2,804 coping songs chosen by individuals from 11 countries during COVID-19 lockdown. Individuals reported their well-being goals and also named their coping song. We applied an unsupervised topic-modeling approach to identify 15 self-emerging topics from the song lyrics, and connected them to well-being goals. Results: We found significant association between certain lyrics' topics and specific well-being goals. This association weakened for participants for which music is highly important. No significant patterns were found for the songs' acoustic features. Discussion: This paper posits that song lyrics, despite their brevity and presumed simplicity, can be meaningful for self-regulation of emotional states, and should receive more attention by researchers and streaming services alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased psychological distress. Transdiagnostic factors, including childhood trauma, maladaptive personality traits (MPTs), mentalizing, and emotion dysregulation are considered relevant to the development and maintenance of mental health problems. These factors probably play a significant role in individuals' reactions to pandemic-related distress (PR distress). The aim of this study is to examine the associations with these transdiagnostic factors in relation to PR distress and psychopathological symptoms. Materials and methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we investigated a convenience sample of 6,451 adults (mean age = 44.1; SD = 11.8; 69.1% female, 30.3% male, 0.01% diverse) recruited via social media platforms in German-speaking countries (August 2020 – February 2021) by utilizing self-report instruments (PID5BF+, MentS, DERS-SF, PHQ-9, GAD-7, a composite PR distress score). Structural equation modeling was performed for data analysis. Results: The results revealed significant associations between different types of childhood trauma and MPTs (−0.14 < β < 0.48) as well as a parallel mediation of the relationship between MPTs and psychopathological symptoms via mentalizing (βanxiety = −0.03; βdepression = 0.01) and emotion dysregulation (βanxiety = 0.24; βdepression = 0.23). Discussion: Mentalizing and emotion dysregulation seem to play a significant role in relation between childhood trauma and MPTs and psychopathological symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, transdiagnostic factors may be a valuable target for the development of interventions aiming to reduce psychological distress related to a pandemic or other crises events. Specific prevention and intervention methods that target emotion dysregulation and mentalizing could help vulnerable individuals, particularly those with childhood trauma and MPTs, to protect against or alleviate the detrimental effects of PR distress on their mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 lockdown in China, the shift of family members' work and study to online platforms accelerated internet proliferation and led to a growing prominence of internet addiction among younger age groups, posing a threat to individual and societal health development. Previous research has primarily focused on upper-grade elementary students, with relatively less attention given to younger age groups, resulting in insufficient representativeness of the elementary student samples. Additionally, research exploring how parental addictive behaviors are associated with the mechanisms of internet addiction among elementary students has been limited, which affects the development of scientifically based and effective intervention measures for addressing internet addiction in this population. This study, grounded in Family Systems Theory, explores the associative mechanisms between parental smartphone dependence and elementary students' internet addiction, specifically examining the mediating role of parent–child conflict and the moderating role of parental roles. Using a convenience sampling method, questionnaires were administered to parents from two elementary schools, resulting in 433 valid responses. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that parental smartphone dependence is associated with elementary students' internet addiction and that this association is further influenced by the mediating role of parent–child conflict. Additionally, parental roles moderate the relationships between parental smartphone dependence and parent–child conflict, as well as between parent–child conflict and elementary students' internet addiction. Compared to mothers, fathers' smartphone dependence is more significantly correlated with parent–child conflict, and conflicts initiated by fathers are more strongly associated with elementary students' internet addiction. This may be related to China's traditional "male breadwinner, female homemaker" family culture. Mothers typically assume more parenting responsibilities and establish closer emotional bonds with their children, serving as a protective factor against internet addiction. Therefore, it is recommended that parents reduce smartphone dependence to avoid parent–child conflicts, and that fathers increase their involvement in parenting activities to build stronger emotional connections with their children, thereby fostering healthier internet use behaviors among elementary students. The findings provide valuable insights for developing effective family-based interventions to address internet addiction in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health workers directly involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with COVID-19 are at risk of developing mental health symptoms. Objective: The study aimed to assess the quality of life (QoL) of healthcare workers at Prince Mohammed bin Nasser Tertiary Hospital in Jazan during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the relationship between QoL and stress, anxiety, and depression. Pandemic. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among healthcare workers at Prince Mohammed bin Nasser Hospital in the Jazan. The study included a sample of 352 healthcare workers. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire pertaining to sociodemographic characteristics and the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale questionnaire, SF-36, for QoL. Descriptive statistics, frequencies, and percentages were used. A chi-squared test was performed to compare categorical data. A one-way ANOVA was performed to compare the effect of disorder variables on QoL. Multiple linear regression analyses were carried out to discern the differences between the different groups of participants in QoL measures. Results: Our results showed a poor QoL among those with a chronic disease (p = 0.002), who worked in the COVID-19 department (p = 0.030) and those who experienced the death of relatives or friends due to COVID-19 (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Healthcare workers, particularly those with chronic diseases or who had lost relatives to COVID-19, exhibited significantly lower QoL levels, especially those working directly in COVID-19 departments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the anxiety levels and sleep quality of elite soccer athletes in training pre-pandemic and during the lockdown caused by COVID-19. Method: This is an exploratory study with a longitudinal design carried out with elite soccer athletes from two Brazilian soccer clubs. Data collection took place in person pre-pandemic (training) and online (during lockdown) between February and May 2020. The instruments used to assess sleep, daytime sleepiness, and anxiety were the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Daytime Sleepiness Scale-(ESS-BR), and Competitive Anxiety Scale (SCAT). For data analysis, descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, maximum and minimum) and non-parametric inferential statistics were used, establishing a significance of p < 0.05. Results: In total, 76 male soccer athletes participated in the study. A significant increase was observed in anxiety levels in confinement compared to pre-pandemic training (p = 0.017; g = 0.83), and sleepiness significantly reduced in training compared to baseline levels (p = 0.007; g = 0.48). The athletes demonstrated good sleep quality and the pandemic did not significantly alter daytime sleepiness compared to training and baseline. Conclusion: From the results it can be concluded that elite soccer athletes presented alterations in anxiety levels compared to training during confinement, however, no effects of confinement were observed on sleep quality and sleepiness. New studies are needed to analyze the long-term consequences of the pandemic and the relationships between anxiety and sleep in training and competition in athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The employment psychology and issues being faced by university students have garnered significant attention after the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: Focusing on Chinese university students, this study compares the changes in their employment psychology between the initial and normalization stages of COVID-19 prevention and control in China and examines their employment choices during the normalization stage. This study also investigates how the transformed employment psychology of these students influences their employment intentions. Results: (1) Chinese university students exhibit stronger feelings of employment confusion, anxiety, stability preference, uneasiness, and inferiority during the normalization stage compared with the initial stage, thus leading to a more negative employment psychology; (2) during the normalization stage, university students display a more pessimistic outlook on their employment situation and show their preference for direct employment, particularly in public institutions, state-owned enterprises, and government organizations. They also show a greater interest in working in first-tier cities than in their hometowns; (3) the employment psychology of these students in the post-pandemic period significantly influences their employment intentions, with employment stability preference psychology playing a crucial role; and (4) the employment stability preference psychology positively and significantly affects the employment intentions of junior college students. Conversely, this employment stability preference psychology has a negative effect on the employment intentions of academic master's and doctoral students. This paper also proposes some strategies to enhance the employment psychology of university students and improve their quality of employment at various levels, including government, school, enterprise, family, and individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the daily routines of children, with social distancing and quarantine leading to reduced social interactions and potential increased conflicts within families. These factors can increase the risk for anxiety and depression while reducing overall quality of life. Methods: Our study included 1843 school children aged 8 to 12 from 56 schools over a 2.5-year period before and during the pandemic. This multi-wave cross-sectional study utilized baseline data from an optimization trial of an indicated preventive intervention. The main outcomes were self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression, and quality of life was the secondary outcome measure. Furthermore, responses to COVID-relevant questions were measured using a self-composed scale. Our objectives were to compare anxiety and depression symptom levels between cohorts of children who participated in the study before and during the pandemic, to examine if anxiety or depression predicted the COVID response, and whether anxiety and depression and subtypes of anxiety had an impact on quality of life during the pandemic. Linear regression and interaction models were used to examine relevant associations. Results: Levels of anxiety and depression were higher in all waves compared to pre-pandemic levels. Quality of life was lower during the pandemic than before the pandemic, particularly among children with generalized anxiety symptoms. Quality of life was negatively associated with loneliness. Discussion: Our study revealed that children reported higher anxious and depressive symptoms during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels, as well as reduced quality of life. Lockdowns and restrictions may have contributed to this burden. Additionally, self-reported loneliness was a significant possible consequence of the restrictive measures imposed on children during the pandemic. Additional research is needed to investigate the long-term effects of the pandemic on children, particularly regarding the stability of elevated levels of anxiety and depression. Such studies could examine whether these conditions are indicative of a trajectory toward more severe internalizing disorders. Clinical trial registration: NCT04263558. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the face of the proliferation of misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, crowdsourced debunking has surfaced as a counter-infodemic measure to complement efforts from professionals and regular individuals. In 2021, X (formerly Twitter) initiated its community-driven fact-checking program, named Community Notes (formerly Birdwatch). This program allows users to create contextual and corrective notes for misleading posts and rate the helpfulness of others' contributions. The effectiveness of the platform has been preliminarily verified, but mixed findings on reliability indicate the need for further research. Objective: The study aims to assess the reliability of Community Notes by comparing the readability and language neutrality of helpful and unhelpful notes. Methods: A total of 7,705 helpful notes and 2,091 unhelpful notes spanning from January 20, 2021, to May 30, 2023 were collected. Measures of reading ease, analytical thinking, affect and authenticity were derived by means of Wordless and Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC). Subsequently, the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U -test was employed to evaluate the differences between the helpful and unhelpful groups. Results: Both groups of notes are easy to read with no notable difference. Helpful notes show significantly greater logical thinking, authenticity, and emotional restraint than unhelpful ones. As such, the reliability of Community Notes is validated in terms of readability and neutrality. Nevertheless, the prevalence of prepared, negative and swear language in unhelpful notes indicates the manipulative and abusive attempts on the platform. The wide value range in the unhelpful group and overall limited consensus on note helpfulness also suggest the complex information ecology within the crowdsourced platform, highlighting the necessity of further guidance and management. Conclusion: Based on the statistical analysis of the linguistic and psycholinguistic characteristics, the study validated the reliability of Community Notes and identified room for improvement. Future endeavors could explore the psychological motivations underlying volunteering, gaming, or even manipulative behaviors, enhance the crowdsourced debunking system and integrate it with broader efforts in infodemic management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has faced students with many challenges, contributing to their mental distress. This article explores the role of demographic characteristics, psychological status, year of study, and social support during the COVID-19 pandemic in explaining Slovenian university students' mental health problems and help-seeking behavior. Methods: In February and March 2021, data were collected on 5,234 full-time Slovenian postsecondary students who were enrolled in public and concessionary independent higher education institutions. Participants completed a questionnaire, which included The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD-7), Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3), and items measuring psychological status, help-seeking behavior and demographics. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression and hypothesis testing for differences. Results: Factors, such as gender, age, psychological status and social support, contributed to experiencing anxiety and depression among Slovenian students during the COVID-19 pandemic, with year of study additionally contributing to experiencing depression. Similarly, gender, age, psychological status and social support contributed to help-seeking behavior. Higher levels of depression and anxiety were reported by female students, students with prior mental disorders, and students with lower social support levels. Female students and students with lower social support levels reported more frequent help-seeking behaviors. Conclusion: The results provide insight into the mental state of the Slovenian student population in the context of imposed public health measures at the end of the second COVID-19 wave in Slovenia. The findings can help identify vulnerable groups within the student population to whom we must be particularly attentive in times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the longitudinal association of sedentary behavior, light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) participation with depressive symptoms and whether their possible association changed depending on the pandemic phase. Methods: This longitudinal study conducted secondary analysis from the Spanish cohort of the Remote Assessment of Disease and Relapse – Major Depressive Disorder (RADAR-MDD) study. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8). Sedentary behavior and physical activity were estimated via wrist-worn devices. Linear mixed models evaluated the longitudinal associations of sedentary behavior and physical activity (light and moderate-to-vigorous intensities) with depressive symptoms. Results: In total, 95 participants (67.5% women, 53.0 [±10.5] years of age on average) were monitored pre-COVID-19 and included in the analyses. Pre-COVID-19, 73.7% of participants presented depression, and, on average, participated in 13.2 (±1.08) hours/day of sedentary behavior, 2.42 (±0.90) hours/day of light physical activity and 23.6 (±19.80) minutes/day of MVPA. Considering all the observations (from November 2019 to October 2020), an additional hour/day of sedentary behavior was longitudinally associated with higher depressive symptoms [ β std = 0.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10 to 0.47], whereas an additional hour/day in light physical activity was associated with lower depressive symptoms (β std = −0.06, 95% CI −0.59 to −0.15). Time in MVPA was not associated with depressive symptomatology. The association of sedentary behavior and light physical activity with depressive symptoms was significant only during pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 relaxation periods, whereas during the strictest periods of the pandemic with regards to the restrictions (lockdown and de-escalation), the association was not observed. Conclusion: Sedentary behavior and light physical activity were longitudinally associated with depressive symptoms in participants with a history of MDD. The incorporation of light physical activity should be stimulated in adults with a history of MDD. Neither sedentary behavior nor light physical activity were associated with depressive symptoms during the most restrictive COVID-19 phases, whereas sedentary behavior (positively) and light physical activity (negatively) were associated with depressive symptoms in persons with MDD before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: One factor associated with rising rates of depression and anxiety among youth is a lack of meaning in life (MIL). The importance of living a meaningful and purposeful life cannot be overstressed, especially for adolescents who are in a critical life stage and have recently experienced a 3-year-long global health crisis, namely the COVID-19 pandemic. Although previous studies have examined adolescents' MIL, the majority of them adopted a variable-centered approach. The present study adopts a person-centered approach to investigate the updated MIL among Chinese adolescents in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demographic factors related to profile classification, and the differences in mental health among adolescents in different MIL classes. Methods: A questionnaire assessing MIL, depression, anxiety, stress, and demographic information was administered to 1,196 Chinese adolescents (mean age = 13.07 ± 0.58; 44.73% were female individuals). A three-step latent profile analysis was conducted. Results and discussion: This study revealed that (1) adolescents can be categorized into three classes: high MIL, medium MIL, and low and searching MIL. (2) Adolescents from intact families with higher educated mothers were more likely to be classified as high MIL class rather than low MIL class. Furthermore, (3) adolescents with high MIL experienced the best mental health outcomes, those with medium MIL experienced moderate mental health, and those with low MIL, who were still searching for MIL, exhibited the poorest mental health. External support may be necessary in the search process for Chinese adolescents. Future research could explore the process of searching for MIL and identify the challenges adolescents encounter when developing their sense of MIL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown significantly disrupted daily routines and impacted physical activity, diet, mental well-being, and sleep. This mixed-methods study investigates these changes over three periods—pre-pandemic, pandemic onset, and one-year post-onset—to understand their causes and inform public health policy for improved resilience during future crises. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted with 34 US participants who completed open-ended qualitative questions and quantitative assessments in May 2020 and May 2021. Participants were recruited via social media from 10 states with high COVID-19 cases. Quantitative data categorized health changes (positive, negative, or no change), while qualitative data were analyzed thematically to explore reasons for these changes and uncover interrelationships among health behaviors. Results: Quantitative results showed that, during the pandemic onset, most participants experienced negative changes in diet, mental well-being, and sleep, while physical activity varied. By one-year post-onset, improvements were noted across all health pillars, with mental well-being and sleep showing the most significant positive changes. Thematic analysis of qualitative data revealed stress, anxiety, and personal motivations as key drivers of health behaviors. Participants' narratives provided a deeper understanding of these shifts that a Likert-style survey alone could not capture, highlighting the interconnectedness of health pillars. Discussion: The findings demonstrate the importance of addressing mental well-being to improve overall health resilience. Public health interventions should prioritize mental health and consider the interrelated nature of health behaviors. The mixed-methods approach combined quantitative trends with qualitative insights, offering a comprehensive understanding of why health changes occurred, providing actionable guidance for future public health policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review examines the application and findings related to the Perceived Stress Scale for Children (PSS-C) since its development by B. White in 2014. The PSS-C is designed to assess children's perceived stress, focusing on their subjective experience rather than objective stressors. Our review utilized the PRISMA method to systematically collect and analyze pertinent literature, with a specific focus on studies which utilized the PSS-C. A comprehensive screening process reduced the extensive initial search results from various databases, ultimately resulting in the inclusion of 21 studies. These studies were assessed based on criteria that included publication date, language, and relevance to children's perceived stress. We categorized the selected studies into several themes: (1) the impact of COVID-19 and the return to school; (2) mindfulness as a coping mechanism; (3) the effectiveness of breathing techniques; (4) mental health intervention programs; and (5) the cultural context of stress. The review also highlighted potential biases in the studies, particularly concerning sample size and randomization procedures. Key findings from the reviewed studies included the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's perceived stress, the role of mindfulness and breathing techniques in stress reduction, and the effectiveness of intervention programs. In conclusion, the review emphasized the significance of the PSS-C as a tool for evaluating perceived stress in children and stressed the necessity for additional research to examine its connections with different psychological and social factors. The findings underscore the importance of supportive parent–child interactions, especially during challenging situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and the possible advantages of mindfulness and other coping mechanisms in reducing stress. Subsequent research should persist in enhancing stress assessment tools and exploring the enduring impacts of stress on children's growth and welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in online searches related to psychological distress. Governments worldwide have responded with various measures to mitigate the impact of the virus, influencing public behavior and emotional well-being. This study investigated the relationship between government actions and public reactions in terms of online search behaviors, particularly concerning psychological distress during the pandemic. The primary objective of this study was to analyze how changes in government policies during the COVID-19 pandemic influenced public expressions of psychological distress, as reflected in the volume of related online searches in Kuwait. Method: Utilizing Google Trends data, the study analyzed search frequencies for terms associated with psychological distress such as "anxiety" and "lockdown." The analysis correlated these search trends with government actions using the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT). The study period covered March 1, 2020, to October 10, 2020, and involved extensive data collection and analysis using custom software in R programming. Results: There was a significant correlation between the stringency of government-imposed restrictions and the volume of online searches related to psychological distress. Increased searches for "lockdown" coincided with heightened government restrictions and were associated with increased searches for "anxiety," suggesting that policy measures significantly impacted public psychological distress. Conclusion: The study concludes that governmental responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, measured through OxCGRT, have a measurable impact on public psychological distress, as evidenced by online search behaviors. This underscores the importance of considering psychological impacts in policymaking and suggests further research to explore this dynamic comprehensively. Future studies should focus on refining the correlation between specific types of policy measures and different expressions of psychological distress to better inform public health strategies and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceived COVID-19 crisis strength has been associated with teachers' emotional labor, but little is known about the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this association. This study aimed to explore whether interpersonal stress would mediate the relationship between perceived COVID-19 crisis strength and emotional labor, and whether gender would moderate the indirect pathway between perceived COVID-19 crisis strength and interpersonal stress. Participants were 889 primary-and secondary-school teachers from Guangxi, China, selected using convenient sampling method. They completed measurements regarding emotional labor, interpersonal stress, and perceived COVID-19 crisis strength. Results showed that perceived COVID-19 crisis strength was negatively associated with deep acting but not surface acting, and this association was fully mediated by interpersonal stress. Moreover, the indirect relationship between perceived COVID-19 crisis strength and interpersonal stress was moderated by gender, with the indirect relationship being stronger for male teachers than for female teachers. This study illuminates the psychological mechanisms underlying the association between perceived COVID-19 crisis strength and emotional labor, enriching our understanding of this association and gender differences among primary and secondary school teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The present study aims to evaluate the role of sense of coherence and self-efficacy in relation to mental health and well-being, with and without social restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this study seeks to investigate the differences in sense of coherence, self-efficacy, mental health and well-being depending on the manner in which the pandemic is being handled. Methods: A total of 27,162 students at Heidelberg University were surveyed via email at two measurement points, once with and once without social restrictions. The survey assessed sense of coherence, self-efficacy, mental health and well-being. To this end, the questionnaires Sense of Coherence Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, WHO-Well-being-Index and the General Self-Efficacy Scale were employed. A total of 2,398 individuals participated in the initial measurement, while 701 individuals participated in the subsequent measurement. Results: The lifting of social restrictions has been associated with a notable improvement in well-being and mental health, particularly in the context of depressive syndromes. Further analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between the sense of coherence and self-efficacy at both measurement points, as well as between these two constructs and mental health and well-being. Furthermore, the sense of coherence and self-efficacy were found to account for a notable proportion of the observed variability in mental health and well-being values. Self-efficacy exhibited a significantly higher mean value at the initial measurement time point compared to the subsequent time point. In contrast, no significant difference was observed in the sense of coherence between the two measurement points. Discussion: The findings presented here illustrate the significance of social interaction, sense of coherence and self-efficacy for mental health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mental health is the cornerstone of public health, especially where middle-aged and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic were concerned. The impact of Internet usage on mental health in the time of the crisis still presents a mixed picture. Methods: This study employs the PSM-DID method according to longitudinal data (CFPS) to explore whether Internet usage reduced the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of middle-aged and older adults. Results: The results reveal that Internet use improves the mental health of middle-aged and older adults during the pandemic in China, but that the impact varies between urban and rural residents. Furthermore, the moderator effects model shows that people's perceptions of the Internet have an impact upon the length of time spent online and its consequent effect on mental health. Discussion: These findings suggested that Internet use had a significant effect on alleviating the levels of depression in middle-aged and older adults. Greater marginal gains may be realized by enhancing the digital capacity of and narrowing the digital divide that exists among rural residents. The enhancement of digital capacity and proper guidance in digital education should be taken into consideration where the mental health of middle-aged and older adults is at issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on infant development. The study investigated the development of infants at 10–11 months of age between 2020 and 2023 by using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development-2020 (KSPD2020), an individualized developmental scale, and the Kinder Infant Developmental Scale (KIDS), a developmental questionnaire. We compared the results of the KSPD2020 with those of a pre-pandemic developmental research and compared the developmental age (DA) of KIDS with children's chronological age (CA). Moreover, the same developmental research was conducted again on the same children at 18–24 months of age. DA for receptive language and expressive language was lower in the KIDS compared to CA in the investigation at 10–11 months. However, in the investigation at 18–24 months, there were no areas where KIDS' DA was lower than CA, and DA in the areas of manipulation, receptive language, social relationship with adults, discipline, and eating was higher than CA. On the other hand, using the KSPD2020, there were no differences when compared to pre-pandemic data in the investigation at 10–11 months. Furthermore, the investigation at 18–24 months showed that developmental quotient (DQ) was lower in the Language-Social (L-S) areas than in the investigation at 10–11 months. The lower DQ of L-S in this study was also evident in comparison to the 18–24 months pre-pandemic data. These results suggested that to investigate the medium- and long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's development, it is necessary to use not only parent-filled questionnaires but also individualized developmental scales. In addition, the finding that results may differ depending on the method of developmental assessment is considered important not only for developmental researchers but also for professionals involved in supporting children's development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The mental health of populations is usually affected after a disaster event. However, it is not known what the level of mental health of Chinese population 1 year after COVID-19, nor what factors influence it. Aim: This study aimed to examine the mental health status of general population in Chengdu 1 year after COVID-19, and then analyse influencing factors. Method: This study is a cross-sectional survey based on the SCL-90 questionnaire. Continuous data were described as M and SD, and counting data were described as frequencies(n) and percentages (%). Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were used for statistical inference, and significance variables were included in the binary logistic regression equation for multivariate analysis. Results: There were 172 participants with positive screening results. Age, marital status, number of kids, self-perceived health and the presence of chronic disease had an effect on screening results. Logistic regression analysis showed that age and self-perceived health were the main influencing factors. Discussion: Young people aged 18–19 and those who consider themselves not very healthy were at higher risk of poor mental health 1 year after the COVID-19 outbreak. Impact statement: Community institutions and community workers should focus on the mental health status of people 1 year after COVID-19, with a focus on people with poor self-perceived health and younger age groups, and take early preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The main objective of this study is to explore the relationships among job stress, job satisfaction, and turnover intentions among bank employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on variations across different demographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed, and data were collected from 501 bank employees using the Job Stress Questionnaire (JSQ), the Simplified Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ), and the Intention to Leave Scale (ILS). Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses were used to test the research hypotheses. Results: The findings show that job stress is significantly negatively correlated with job satisfaction and positively correlated with turnover intention. Interpersonal relationship stress emerged as the strongest predictor of turnover intention, while job autonomy stress significantly influenced job satisfaction. Demographic factors, including age, income, and education level, moderated these relationships, with younger, higher-income, and more educated employees reporting lower stress and higher satisfaction. Employees with dependents reported higher stress levels, lower job satisfaction, and greater turnover intentions compared to those without dependents. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of managing workplace stress and enhancing job satisfaction to reduce turnover intention, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions focused on improving interpersonal relationships and providing targeted support for older and lower-income employees are recommended to mitigate stress and improve retention rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous research studies show that mindfulness can mitigate the negative impact of trauma on mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety, mediating the relationship between trauma exposure and mental health, and treating symptoms resulting from traumatic events. During the COVID-19 pandemic, which was considered a traumatic event, the wellbeing of adults and children was severely compromised. Although children seem less vulnerable to the physical effects of the virus, this does not seem to be true for the psychological effects. Indeed, a prolonged period of loss of family activities and routines can have a negative impact on the mental health of children and adolescents. To investigate how mindfulness can help preschool children cope with the effects of COVID-19, a study was conducted on 46 children aged 4–5 years. The programme, based on the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn and adapted to the age of the participants, consisted of eight weekly 45-min sessions. Qualitative and quantitative results showed positive feedback, indicating that mindfulness helps children make sense of their experiences and achieve functional post-traumatic growth. This approach is seen as a challenge to guide children toward the restoration of psychological wellbeing, which is essential for good psychological balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The study has investigated the lived experience of flautists, focusing on their experiences and perceptions of performance-related physical discomfort, injury and related mental health challenges that they might have encountered in practice and performance. The aims of the research have been to provide flautists with an opportunity to reflect on any physical or psychological performance issues in their own words, and to understand the subjective meaning of these experiences. Methods: A basic qualitative approach was used for gathering data. All the fieldwork was undertaken during or immediately after the Covid-19 pandemic. Consequently, the participating flautists were deliberately selected using professional networks on the basis of their answers to a pre-interview initial questionnaire related to the characteristics of their personal backgrounds and their experiences, as well as being able to participate remotely. There have been two data collection phases. Phase 1 was a specially designed pre-interview questionnaire drawing on themes from appropriate literature. Phase 2 built on the pre-interview questionnaire responses and was designed as semi-structured interviews, undertaken on Zoom, and included a 'River of Flute-playing Experience' activity during the interview. The 'River of Experience' method is an autobiographical research tool in which participants were asked to annotate key biographical experiences and challenges at various points along their drawing of a meandering river. The combined data analyses drew on thematic analysis. Results: The eight participants reported a personal history of performance-related health and wellbeing challenges that they had faced at some point in their lives. The findings reveal that flautists encounter health-related challenges associated with their practice and performances, and the data suggest that they each require an understanding of likely performance-related health challenges and supportive resources to assist them in managing these challenges. Discussion: The participants' diverse experiences highlight the importance of managing health and the value of supportive social connections. They cope with health challenges by integrating passion, resilience, and adaptability into their lives, finding ways to grow and continue to thrive in their flute-playing journey. The study underscores the need for comprehensive health education and support resources for flautists, emphasising the significance of resilience and adaptability in fostering health, wellbeing, and success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Misinformation spreading on social media often parallels public crises, such as the outbreak of COVID-19, because people's behaviors regarding misinformation may be influenced by their typical life circumstances. With the increasing severity of living conditions, misinformation is believed to spread more widely, while corrective behaviors tend to decrease. Furthermore, social comparison also affects the perception of life circumstances and subsequent behaviors. Taking Shanghai's COVID-19 lockdown as an example, this study examined whether two representative factors--the duration of the lockdown and the satisfaction with relief measures--affected people's tendency to share and correct misinformation. By employing the third-person effect (TPE) theory, the underlying mechanisms of social comparison were also explored. Methods: An online survey was conducted in April 2022, when the Zero- COVID policy was implemented in Shanghai. In addition to questions about life circumstances, a third-person perception scale, a behaviors of sharing misinformation scale, and a behaviors of correcting misinformation scale were included in the survey. Finally, 7,962 valid responses were collected. Results: It was found that both behaviors--sharing and correcting misinformation--were affected by life circumstances but in different ways. The evidence also supported the existence of third-person perception (TPP). It was observed that the relationship between satisfaction with relief measures and sharing behavior was mediated by Third-Person Perception. Conclusion: This study reveals that the proliferation of misinformation during crises is related to the deterioration of people's perception of life circumstances. Social comparison often plays a significant role, as was reflected by the TPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite popular speculation that nostalgic social media use skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, this has yet to be formally investigated in the scientific literature. Methods: Interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) using a segmented regression model was performed to examine the changes in the weekly volume of searches for nostalgic songs on Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), as a proxy for nostalgic social media use, before and after the lockdown of Wuhan (signaled the start of the pandemic on a national scale in China). Results: Across the study period (January 1, 2019–February 28, 2021), an immediate and significant increase in nostalgic social media use was observed when the pandemic initially started (95% CI  =  [47314.30, 154969.60], p  <  0.001) compared with the pre-pandemic baseline. Discussion: This study provides empirical evidence for the impact of the pandemic on nostalgic social media use. It also advances our understanding of the increased usage of social media during the pandemic. Additionally, as nostalgia has drawn increasing attention from media researchers, this study offers methodological insights into the quantification of nostalgia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The mental health of populations is usually affected after a disaster event. However, it is not known what the level of mental health of Chinese population 1 year after COVID-19, nor what factors influence it. Aim: This study aimed to examine the mental health status of general population in Chengdu 1 year after COVID-19, and then analyse influencing factors. Method: This study is a cross-sectional survey based on the SCL-90 questionnaire. Continuous data were described as M and SD, and counting data were described as frequencies(n) and percentages (%). Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were used for statistical inference, and significance variables were included in the binary logistic regression equation for multivariate analysis. Results: There were 172 participants with positive screening results. Age, marital status, number of kids, self-perceived health and the presence of chronic disease had an effect on screening results. Logistic regression analysis showed that age and self-perceived health were the main influencing factors. Discussion: Young people aged 18-19 and those who consider themselves not very healthy were at higher risk of poor mental health 1 year after the COVID-19 outbreak. Impact statement: Community institutions and community workers should focus on the mental health status of people 1 year after COVID-19, with a focus on people with poor self-perceived health and younger age groups, and take early preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on infant development. The study investigated the development of infants at 10-11 months of age between 2020 and 2023 by using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development-2020 (KSPD2020), an individualized developmental scale, and the Kinder Infant Developmental Scale (KIDS), a developmental questionnaire. We compared the results of the KSPD2020 with those of a prepandemic developmental research and compared the developmental age (DA) of KIDS with children's chronological age (CA). Moreover, the same developmental research was conducted again on the same children at 18-24 months of age. DA for receptive language and expressive language was lower in the KIDS compared to CA in the investigation at 10-11 months. However, in the investigation at 18-24 months, there were no areas where KIDS' DA was lower than CA, and DA in the areas of manipulation, receptive language, social relationship with adults, discipline, and eating was higher than CA. On the other hand, using the KSPD2020, there were no differences when compared to pre-pandemic data in the investigation at 10-11 months. Furthermore, the investigation at 18-24 months showed that developmental quotient (DQ) was lower in the Language-Social (L-S) areas than in the investigation at 10-11 months. The lower DQ of L-S in this study was also evident in comparison to the 18-24 months pre-pandemic data. These results suggested that to investigate the mediumand long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's development, it is necessary to use not only parent-filled questionnaires but also individualized developmental scales. In addition, the finding that results may differ depending on the method of developmental assessment is considered important not only for developmental researchers but also for professionals involved in supporting children's development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study examines the social impact and psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the growth of adolescents students, aged 11-13, on well-being and learning. Methods: Said review, therefore, will consider all the report of scientific works published since 2020 on the following platforms: SCOPUS, PsycoInfo, and Web of Science. Specifically, the research has selected all studies concerning students aged 11-13. Furthermore, the authors have restricted the scope of the study to two fundamental aspects of the above-mentioned subjects, such as their physical and psychological well-being and didactic learning following the COVID-19 pandemic. The justification for choosing such themes lies in the fact that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the ensuing measures adopted to curb its spread have had -and very likely will continue having-sizable repercussions in the life of each individual, especially in students considered, whose psychological and physical well-being has been considerably affected. Results: In particular, during the peak of the pandemic and its subsequent phases, the various measures issued to limit contagion have completely compromised and disregarded the rights of children and youngsters. Suddenly, leisure, sport, play, relations, and socialization disappeared from their lives. Besides, in the early stages of the pandemic, remote teaching replaced face-to-face teaching, later to become an intermittent system in the red- and orange-labelled areas of the country. Consequently, such measures have severely limited opportunities for learning, growth, curiosity and creating relationships that are typical of both a school and outside environment. Concerning the well-being of the subjects considered, a review of the target literature indicates a wide range of psychological and physical disorders, such as malaise, eating and sleep disorders, addiction to games, internet, alcohol, and drugs. For what regards, instead, the realm of learning, most studies highlight a diminished school performance as the main implication of remote teaching. Furthermore, a remarkable number of studies reveals substantial social inequalities; specifically, students coming from middle class families have managed to maintain higher quality educational standards in a critical context such as the pandemic, while those students coming from socially disadvantaged families have had fewer learning opportunities both in terms of time and range of experiences (due to lack of electronic devices, Internet connectivity, homework, continuity of after-school activities). In summary, if the school system pre-COVID-19 already presented significant limitations in its ability to reduce existing social inequalities, school closures during lockdowns pose enormous challenges in developing effective policies to compensate learning losses and inequalities. Discussion: Therefore, based on the results shown, the necessity arises of an emergency plan with social and educational objectives to restore those social, emotional, and cognitive abilities that are compromised. In general, it is the responsibility of countries and governments to guarantee the right to education in these difficult times, while avoiding any type of inequalities and establishing a digital learning system, that allows to face situations such as those generated by the Coronavirus, thus preventing those situations of serious anxiety and stress that have affected most subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals were asked to perform costly actions to reduce harm to strangers, even while the general population, including authorities and experts, grappled with the uncertainty surrounding thenovel virus. Many studies have examined health decision-making by experts, but the study of lay, non-expert, individual decisionmaking on a stranger's health has been left to the wayside, as ordinary citizens are usually not tasked with such decisions. Methods: We sought to capture a snapshot of this specific choice behavior by administering two surveys to the general population in the spring of 2020, when much of the global community was subject to COVID-19-related restrictions, as well as uncertainty surrounding the virus. We presented study participants with fictitious diseases varying in severity that threatened oneself, a loved one or a stranger. Participants were asked to choose between treatment options that could either provide a sure, but mild improvement (sure option) or cure the affected person at a given probability of success (risky option). Results: Respondents preferred gambles overall, but risk-seeking decreased progressively with higher expected severity of disease. This pattern was observed regardless of the recipient's identity. Distinctions between targets emerged however whendecisions were conditioned on a treatment's monetary cost, with participants preferring cheaper options for strangers. Discussion: Overall, these findings provide a descriptive model of individual decision-making under risk for others; and inform on the limits of what can be asked of an individual in service to a stranger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Mexico, academic activities during the COVID-19 pandemic were conducted from home for over 2 years. Especially during the initial months of the pandemic, the lockdown conditions necessitated a reorganization and a new understanding of social dynamics. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the perceptions of university students and teachers regarding emerging psychosocial factors that either encouraged or hindered work and/or study from home during confinement, as well as their perceptions of work overload. Furthermore, the differences between students and teachers in the studied variables were analyzed. Method: A predominantly quantitative, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted with 108 participants (42.6% university teachers; 57.4% graduate or postgraduate students) who filled out an online questionnaire encompassing two open-ended inductors to identify the positive and negative aspects of working or studying from home and their frequency of perceptions, the COVID-19 Work Overload from Home Scale (ESTC-COVID-19), and questions about the hours per day devoted to different activities. The open responses were categorized by two independent groups of the research team; the emerging categories were then consensually agreed upon and further transformed into dummy and continuous variables. These variables and the results of the ESTC-COVID-19 were analyzed with SPSS 19 using Pearson's correlation coefficient, the Chi-squared test, and Student's t-test. The results identified 9 positive and 10 negative emerging psychosocial factors attributed to at least 10% of the sample's open answers. In addition, work overload correlated negatively with the emerging factor of "Making better use of time" and positively with "Work, school, and/or domestic activities overload;" moreover, students perceived more work overload than teachers. Discussion: Differences between students and teachers were observed in the following psychosocial factors: "Self-management," "Comfort," and "Enjoying home" (as positive factors) and "Domestic work" and "Interruptions, distractors, noise" (as negative factors), with students generally reporting more discomfort than teachers. The study analyzes these differences in relation to the demands and nature of the study and work activities undertaken by both groups, as well as the previous training of the skills and the resources required to carry them out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 was a novel stressor that gave rise to pandemic related anxiety and increased the risk of mental health issues, particularly in youth. It is important to understand how such events contribute to psychological distress in young people to adequately intervene in the aftermath and to plan for future similar events. Using cross-sectional data from the CoSPACE Ireland study dataset this paper reports on the predictive relationship between COVID-19 anxiety and psychological distress for Irish adolescents (N = 314, M = 14.05, SD = 2.7, 11-18 years), while controlling for other influencing factors across multiple levels of a bioecological systems approach. Covariates were age, gender, ethnicity, social economic status, Peer Support, School Support and Parent-Child Closeness. Findings indicate that COVID-19 anxiety was a significant predictor of adolescents' psychological distress. Specifically, Consequence Anxiety (worries about the indirect consequences of COVID-19) was found to be a predictor of adolescents' psychological distress rather than Disease Anxiety (worries about the COVID-19 virus itself). Individual factors (e.g., age, ethnicity, special educational needs) and microsystem factors (e.g., parent child closeness, peer support) were also found to impact on adolescents' levels of psychological distress. A significant moderation analysis revealed that greater parent-child closeness reduced the strength of the positive association between Consequence Anxiety and psychological distress. These findings suggest that strategies to alleviate adolescents' psychological distress during pandemics should focus on reducing pandemic-related anxiety, specifically Consequence Anxiety. A multisystemic approach is also recommended to reduce the negative mental health impacts of the pandemic on adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cancer survivors experienced poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and greater psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic than those without cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms that may explain how negative experiences during the pandemic are associated with distress and HRQoL remain unknown. We examined whether psychosocial risk factors (i.e., healthcare disruption, disruption to daily activities and social interaction [DDASI], and financial hardship) mediated the relationship between negative COVID-19-related experiences and cancer survivors' HRQoL and psychological distress (i.e., depressive symptoms, and anxiety) and whether the mediating effects were moderated by psychosocial protective factors (i.e., stress management ability and social support). Methods: A total of 9,651 cancer survivors completed a questionnaire assessing negative COVID-19-related experiences, psychosocial and practical experiences, and HRQoL. Conditional process analysis was used to evaluate the proposed moderated mediation models. Results: Participants had a mean age of 63.8 years (SD = 12.3) and were mostly non-Hispanic White (82.3%). DDASI and financial hardship mediated the relationship between negative COVID-19-related experiences and cancer survivor's HRQoL and psychological distress. Stress management ability buffered the indirect effect of DDASI on cancer survivors' HRQoL and psychological distress. Social support buffered the indirect effect of financial hardship on HRQoL and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Financial resources and social interactions may buffer negative effects of major disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies should assess the longitudinal impact of these associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 period posed great challenges to global education systems, especially teachers even after lock-down. Teachers' wellbeing has been a concern because they have to balance health with work. Since the role of teachers is pivotal in education, there is increased in research on their wellbeing status. Method: The current systematic review aims to analyze the distribution of research on teacher wellbeing from 2020 to mid-February 2024 using a quantitative method. It focuses on yearly distribution of studies, the research methods adopted by scholars, and the group of teachers investigated over the period. The PRISMA guidelines were followed, and 103 empirical studies were selected for the analysis. Results: The review shows notable increase in research, particularly in 2022 and 2023, representing 37.9% and 35.9% of studies, respectively. This suggests a growing interest in teacher wellbeing among educational researchers. The findings also indicate that researchers mostly adopted quantitative methods in form of surveys (79.6%) for studies on teacher wellbeing. However, there has been an increase in qualitative and mixed-methods research recently, with qualitative research accounting for 9.7% and mixed-method research accounting for 10.7%. The review also identified a greater focus on teachers in general than on specific group of teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Social isolation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked interest in its psychological and neurobiological consequences. The pandemic has been associated with an increase in anxiety, depression, and stress, according to some cross-sectional studies. This study aims to analyze changes in the levels of anxiety, depression and stress by comparing the confinement phase to the post-confinement period in the Ecuadorian population. Methods: A longitudinal, comparative, prospective study was conducted using an online survey comprising two sections. The first section gathered demographic information, whereas the second section included the DASS-21 questionnaire. Ecuadorian participants who completed the survey during the initial data-collection period were included. Results: In total, 162 participants were included in the final analysis. The average age of the participants was 29.6 ± 11.7 years, and the majority were women (63.3%). In 2020, the median depression, anxiety, and stress scores were 6 (IQR 2-12), 6 (IQR 2-10), and 10 (IQR 6-16) respectively. In 2021, the median depression score was 8 (IQR 4-14), the median anxiety score was 8 (IQR 4-14.5), and the median stress and its interquartile range were 10 (IQR 6-18). The levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly inversely correlated with age, number of children, self-reported general health, and self-reported mental health in both 2020 and 2021. Conclusion: Exercise, being a student, sex and having had COVID-19 examination may be predictors for the changes in the levels of psychological disorders. Implementing psychological strategies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, and physiological interventions, like regular physical activity, early in the post-lockdown period could help mitigate the negative mental health impacts observed in the aftermath of the pandemic. These interventions can provide necessary support and coping mechanisms for those at higher risk, thereby improving overall mental health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has deprived travelers of the right to continue their travel or leisure activities, while creating concerns about the safety of travel. In view of the great impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on travelers, we discussed the impact of virtual reality on travel anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, and considered the regulatory effect of blockade intensity. In order to explore the relationship between virtual reality and travel anxiety in depth, this study conducted a questionnaire survey on 299 Chinese tourists who had experienced virtual reality activities related to travel, and empirically analyzed the questionnaire data using SPSS 26 software. The results show that virtual reality has a significant negative effect on travel anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e., virtual reality technology can provide a safer virtual travel experience for people and reduce their travel anxiety. At the same time, the relationship between virtual reality and travel anxiety varied to some extent depending on the intensity of the lockdown in each region, with the mitigating effect of virtual reality on travel anxiety being enhanced by high levels of lockdown. Therefore, we believe that although lockdown policies are necessary for some time to come, travel companies need to make further efforts to provide more convenient virtual reality services to alleviate travel anxiety caused by COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown to tourists. At the same time, virtual reality opens up new ideas for travel businesses under the impact of COVID-19 and contributes to the sustainable development of the travel industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly every facet of life, constituting a "new normal" and prompting an ongoing collective psychological crisis. People's ways of coping with the pandemic and corresponding wellbeing are of particular research interest; however, these constructs have largely been examined using deductive quantitative approaches, deficit-based lenses, and mononational samples. Methods: The current mixed-methods study used inductive-sequential (QUAL, QUAN) approaches to explore positive coping strategies (approach coping style and COVID-related connection appraisal) and well-being (loneliness, distress, and happiness) across individuals from the United States, Japan, and Mexico. Qualitative data were gathered from N = 141 U.S., Japanese, and Mexican adults to examine how people perceived connection during the pandemic. Results: Qualitative analyses illuminated common themes in which people appraised the pandemic as an opportunity for connection and strengthened interpersonal relationships. Quantitative measures, including a newly-developed questionnaire on COVID-related connection appraisal, were then administered to a separate sample of N = 302 adults in the U.S, Japan, and Mexico to assess associations among approach coping style, COVID-related connection appraisal, and well-being outcomes (loneliness, distress, happiness). Quantitative analyses found significant associations among approach coping style, COVID-related connection appraisal, and all well-being outcomes. Of note, these associations did not differ by country. COVID-related connection appraisal mediated the relationship between approach coping style and two well-being outcomes (loneliness and happiness). Discussion: Findings point to approach coping style and connection appraisal as pathways for resilience and growth in the face of global suffering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic held considerable health-related outcomes worldwide, including mental health challenges, with elevated risk of psychiatric sequelae. Methods: This study aimed to test the longitudinal (1 year) predictive role of psychosocial factors on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depressive symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 survivors (N = 209 at T1; N = 61; attrition rate 70.83%), through Pearson's correlation analyses and longitudinal multiple regression analyses. Participants (age M = 35.4, SD = 10.1) completed online selfreport questionnaires of psychosocial variables, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Results: Depression and anxiety symptoms were increased, and 42% of survivors presented clinically meaningful PTSD symptoms. PTSD symptoms were longitudinally predicted by having children (β = 0.32, p < 0.01), number of recent major life events (β = 0.34, p < 0.01), and psychological flexibility (β = -0.36, p < 0.01). Number of major life events (β = 0.29, p < 0.05) and psychological flexibility (β = -0.29, p < 0.05) predicted anxiety. Number of recent major life events (β = 0.32, p < 0.01) was the sole predictor of depressive symptoms. Discussion: Psychosocial variables contribute to the long-term harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychopathological symptoms. These results suggest that, during the pandemic, mental health was impacted by both sociocontextual factors and individual self-regulatory skills, namely the ability to respond flexibily to contextual cues and guide behavior according to the direct experience. Specifically, results point out the importance of societal incentives to reduce parental burden and socioeconomic losses, as well as to promote adaptive psychological skills such as psychological flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19, as a significant public health issue, has had a major impact on the mental health of people worldwide. Research shows a significant positive correlation between individuals' risk perception levels and negative emotions during the outbreak of COVID-19. However, some studies also suggest that the relationship between the two is not significant. Therefore, we will conduct a meta-analysis to explore the relationship between risk perception and negative emotions from cultural, temporal, and individual psychological perspectives. Methods: Searches were conducted in the Web of Science, Pub Med, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, Scopus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases, focusing on publications from January 2020 onwards, specifically targeting studies examining the relationship between risk perception and negative emotion during COVID-19. Results: A total of 58 papers with 85 effect sizes were meta-analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.0 software, with a combined sample of 83,948 individuals. Risk perception of COVID-19 showed a moderate positive correlation with negative emotions (r = 0.211, 95%CI [0.18, 0.24]). There was no moderating effect of tight-loose cultures on the relationship between risk perception of COVID-19 and negative emotions. However, the epidemic period, gender ratio, and measurement methods did have moderating effects on the relationship between risk perception of COVID-19 and negative emotions. Conclusion: In future research, we can further develop theories related to the risk perception of COVID-19 and negative emotions, and based on these, formulate interventions to promote people's mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic broughtabout unprecedented problems for contemporary society. Among the numerous challenges faced following the spread of the virus, the need to provide assessment tools and remote psychological assistance certainly deserves particular attention. Indeed, this profound paradigm shift in psychological assessment and care occurred during a period of fragility for people already suffering from the restrictions imposed to stem the spread of the virus. One population particularly affected by the pandemic was students, including university students. The latter faced the pandemic in a particularly critical formative period. Methods: For these reasons, our systematic review has two main objectives: (i) identify the assessment tools and psychological dimensions most used/investigated during the pandemic in Italian university students; (ii) systematize and deepen our knowledge about the impact of the pandemic on the psychological wellbeing of Italian university students. Our search used PRISMA 2020 guidelines on Web of Science, Pubmed, Scopus, and EBSCOHost. Results: The results indicated that the psychological dimensions most investigated in university students during the pandemic were anxiety and depression. At the same time, the most used assessment instruments were the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y) and the Beck Depression lnventory-ll (BDI-II). Furthermore, it is clear from the results that the pandemic has harmed the psychological wellbeing of university students. Finally, we dedicated a section to discuss the interventions implemented by university counseling services during the pandemic. Discussion: This review could improve the work of university counseling services in this post-pandemic period and contribute to developing specific screening and assessment programs for future emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Our study aimed to evaluate patients after suicide attempts treated at the Department of Trauma Surgery for Children in the peripandemic period, assessment of potential risk factors, and the school's participation as the unit responsible for the prevention of suicidal behavior. Materials and methods: Retrospective review of the medical database at equal time intervals of 24 months to identify patients treated before and after the COVID-19 was done. Thorough analysis including injury mechanism, medical procedures, history of previous mental disorders or suicidal behavior was performed. Furthermore, results were compared with the Polish police suicide statistics. Results: Based on our retrospective review we found 4 patients treated in our department before the pandemic and 10 patients treated after COVID-19 outbreak. The group before SARS-Cov-2 era consisted of three girls and one boy with a mean age of 14.97 (12.7-17.6). The group treated in the pandemic crisis consisted of 8 boys and 2 girls, the mean age was 15.49 (10.8-17.2). In the pre-COVID-19 group, 2 out of 4 patients had received psychiatric treatment before, but none had attempted suicide before. In the COVID-19 group, 6 out of 10 patients had previously received psychiatric treatment, moreover 3 of them attempted suicide before. Based on our analysis, the number of individuals who displayed suicidal attempts has raised. Between 2018 and 2021 the largest number of suicides concerned the 13-18 y.o. group, both for the Silesian Voivodeship (H = 9.374; p = 0.0092) and for the whole country (H = 10.203; p = 0.0061). Conclusion: (1) Results of our study indicate that the pandemic may have caused a wide range of negative mental health consequences for young individuals; (2) Suicide attempts in children are often related with high energy trauma; (3) Teachers and school psychologists, as well as medical health providers, should be aware of rising suicide rates among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aims to investigate whether exercise adherence and positive mental character significantly affect subjective well-being among Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether positive mental character plays a mediating role. Methods: The study employed questionnaires, including the Exercise Adherence Scale, the Positive Mental Character Scale, and the Subjective Well-Being Scale, which were administered to students across seven universities in Henan Province, China. A total of 1,001 participants were analyzed in the final sample. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 for descriptive statistics, independent samples T-test, correlation, and regression analyses. Furthermore, structural equation model with AMOS was conducted to examine the potential mediating effect of positive mental characteristics on the relationship between exercise adherence and subjective well-being. Results: The results indicated significant differences in exercise adherence, positive mental character, and subjective well-being between male and female participants, with males scoring higher in all three domains. Among Chinese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant correlation among exercise adherence, positive mental character, and subjective well-being. Exercise adherence was found to have a significant and positive impact on both positive mental character and subjective well-being. Additionally, it was found that positive mental character had a significant positive association with subjective well-being. The mediating role of positive mental character in the relationship between exercise adherence and subjective wellbeing was partially supported. Discussion: Exercise adherence among Chinese college students had a significant positive association on both positive mental character and subjective well-being throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The exercise adherence can directly or indirectly enhance subjective well-being through its association with positive mental character. Therefore, positive mental and subjective well-being can be enhanced by consistent physical activity even during a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Excessive fear of a threatening condition or situation can result in individuals engaging in unhealthy behaviors, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying the influential factors of fear can be effective in designing and implementing health-center interventions to control and reduce the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional design implemented in Iran in 2022. Participants were adults 18--65 years of age recruited randomly from primary Health Care Services Centers (HCSCs) by medical records (n = 380, 64.7% female, mean (SD) age 32.14 ± 10.98 years) in urban and rural areas of the county. The data collection included a demographic form, Fear of COVID-19 questionnaire, Perceived Barriers of COVID-19 preventive behaviors, Self-efficacy, and Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA) questionnaire. Results: It was determined that the fear of COVID-19 showed statistically significant differences according to gender (p-value = 0.013), education level (p-value = 0.001), and job status (p-value = 0.001). According to the hierarchical linear regression, educational level (p-value = 0.001; β = 0.665), job (β = 0.126; p-value = 0.018), self-efficacy (p-value = 0.015; β = 0.103), and Health Literacy (HL) (p-value = 0.001; β = 0.446) were significant predictors of fear of COVID-19. Also, among variables, educational level (p-value = 0.001; β = 0.665) and HL (p-value = 0.001; β = 0.446) were the most important predictors for fear of COVID-19. Discussion: This research shows that HL has a potential and determinative role in controlling fear of COVID-19. The findings can help healthy policymakers and healthcare providers design HL-based programs in similar epidemics and pandemic situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This corrigendum addresses errors in an article titled "The relationship between perceived organizational support and insomnia in Chinese nurses: the serial multiple mediation analysis." It corrects mistakes in the author list, article citation, copyright statement, and author contributions. It also rectifies errors in the text regarding questionnaire issuance dates, number of questionnaires issued, response rate, and grammar in the Results and Discussion sections. The corrigendum ensures the accuracy of the original article. Another corrigendum corrects errors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, funding statement, and a table in the article. These corrections do not alter the scientific conclusions of the study. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: To explore the impact of COVID-19 on the sleep of healthcare workers from Fujian Province supporting Hubei Province and its related risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional, anonymous, self-reported online questionnaire survey was conducted among all participants. The questionnaire consisted of five parts: sociodemographic characteristics and COVID-19 epidemic-related factors, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire-5 (MEQ-5), and 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Results: Among 552 participants, 203 (36.8%) had a PSQI score > 7, indicating the presence of sleep disorders. Logistic regression analysis revealed that sleep disorders were independently associated with a history of previously diagnosed sleep disorders (OR 6.074, 95% CI 2.626-14.049, P < 0.001), rotating night shifts > 3 times per week (OR 3.089, 95% CI 1.650-5.781, P < 0.001), using electronic devices before sleep >1 h (OR 1.685, 95% CI 1.131-2.511, P = 0.010), concern about contracting COVID-19 (OR 1.116, 95% CI 1.034-1.204, P = 0.005), perception of societal support for supporting healthcare workers in Hubei (OR 0.861,95% CI 0.744-0.998, P = 0.047) (OR 0.861, 95% CI 0.744-0.998, P = 0.047), non-medical staff (OR 0.257, 95% CI 0.067-0.987, P = 0.048), ESS score (OR 1.068, 95% CI 1.018-1.121, P = 0.007), and GHQ-12 score (OR 1.511, 95% CI 1.281-1.782, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Sleep disorders were highly prevalent among healthcare workers from Fujian Province supporting Hubei Province during the COVID-19 pandemic. Risk factors for sleep disorders included a history of previously diagnosed sleep disorders, rotating night shifts > 3 times per week, using electronic devices before sleep >1 h, excessive concern about contracting COVID-19, and poorer psychological health. Higher perceived societal support and understanding of support for healthcare workers supporting Hubei were associated with a reduced risk of sleep disorders, as was being non-medical staff. Providing more sleep hygiene education and psychological health services for frontline healthcare workers is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth with developmental and pre-existing mental health conditions have been particularly vulnerable to declines in psychological functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to first, analyze service usage within an outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry clinic in the months preceding and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and second, to examine associations with potential protective factors against mental health concerns in a treatmentengaged sample. Service usage was examined using clinic billing data, and reports on protective factors were gathered via parent survey of 81 children ages 6--17 years who received mental health treatment in an outpatient psychiatry clinic during the pandemic. Protective factors were assessed at the individual, family, and community levels, and included children's use of coping strategies, parental resilience, and parents' perceived social supports. Study outcomes, including mental health concerns, mental health emergencies, pandemic-related distress, and social impact of the pandemic, were analyzed via Pearson correlations and simultaneous multiple linear regressions. Findings suggest increased service usage and child coping, parental resilience, and social connectedness as factors associated with fewer mental health concerns in youth with psychiatric concerns during the pandemic. This study lends support for expanding psychiatric services with continued use of telemedicine platforms. Further, findings suggest a mental health benefit to optimizing individual, parental, and community-based resources to enhance children's psychological functioning, particularly for youth with pre-existing mental health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this paper is to delve into the emotional and psychological challenges that fathers face as they navigate the complexities of having a preterm infant in the NICU and in an unprecedented sanitary context. Methods: We used three data collection methods such as interviews (narrative and the Clinical Interview for Parents of High-risk Infants-CLIP) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to gain a comprehensive understanding of the cases. Results: The following analysis explores two individuals' personal experiences of becoming a first-time father during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic through a close examination of two superordinate themes: "A series of separations through the experienced COVID-19 restrictions" and "Moments of connection." The transition to fatherhood is essentially with a medicalized form of connection with their newborn and the perceived paternal identity. In terms of temporality, these fathers experienced a combination of concerns about their infants' long-term development and COVID-19 health concerns. Furthermore, they showed indications of phobic or hypochondriac tendencies using a psychoanalytic framework, along with an increased risk of postpartum depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multilevel psychosocial stressors associated with COVID-19 pandemic set the stage to investigate risk factors and groups susceptible for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). A national sample of 9,929 Brazilian adults aged 36.1  years on average participated in the study. Cross-sectional data were collected in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. NSSI levels were considered high in the total sample (13.2%) when compared to other studies in this context. The variables with the highest explanatory power in the regression models were age, anxiety, and depression. The main risk factors were being younger, living in the South or Southeast regions of Brazil, having lower educational attainment, and having higher rates of anxiety and depression. Respondents had the highest probability of NSSI in 2022. The sustained higher rates of NSSI in 2023 compared to the beginning of the pandemic underscores the need for continuous monitoring and the development of preventive actions for self-injurious behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, young adults worldwide showed signs of distress as they were affected in their specific developmental tasks, including the construction of personal and professional futures. Methods: The present study aimed to assess the situational future time perspective of Italian university students during the second pandemic wave, as measured by an ad hoc constructed instrument, to explore its interaction with some dispositional traits relevant in future construction, such as optimism, sense of life, aggression, and dispositional future time perspective, and to test their effect on psychological well-being. The total sample consisted of 389 subjects (18-35 years, M = 23.5, SD = 4.4). Results and discussion: The results indicated that the pandemic experience, assessed by surveying specific indicators, negatively affected the future time perspective of students, particularly those dispositionally optimistic and convinced that life has meaning. However, awareness of the negative impact that the pandemic brought to the vision of the future seems to have dampened the levels of depression and stress, while anxiety was found to be related only to dispositional traits. The results also suggested the need for educational and economic policies that help young adults develop confidence in the future and in their ability to build it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the emotional well-being of adolescents worldwide. Some studies suggested that individuals with high Environmental Sensitivity may have been more likely to experience poor psychological adjustment during the pandemic than those with lower sensitivity. However, there is still limited research on how emotional responses varied across different stages of the pandemic and whether Environmental Sensitivity increased adolescents' vulnerability to the psychological impact of prolonged pandemic restrictions. Methods: To address this gap, this study used a three-year longitudinal design (2020-2022) with a sample of 453 adolescents. They completed an online survey measuring their positive and negative emotions throughout the pandemic period, with Environmental Sensitivity considered a time-invariant covariate. Results: The results revealed that all participants, regardless of their level of Environmental Sensitivity, experienced a decrease in positive emotionality between the first and second years. However, this trend reversed, showing an increase between the second and third years. Regarding negative emotions, highly sensitive adolescents experienced a significant linear increase over time. In contrast, low-and medium-sensitive adolescents exhibited a quadratic trend, with a notable increase in negative emotions between the first and second years, followed by a slight decrease between the second and third years. Discussion: These findings provide further evidence of the negative impact of the pandemic on adolescents' emotional well-being. They also support the notion that Environmental Sensitivity is associated with individuals' ability to respond and adjust to adverse life events, with significant implications for future research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]