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Objective: This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent social restrictions or quarantines on the mental health of the global adult population., Method: A sample of 6,882 individuals (M age  = 42.30; 78.8% female) from 59 countries completed an online survey asking about several pandemic-related changes in life and psychological status., Results: Of these participants, 25.4% and 19.5% reported moderate-to-severe depression (DASS-21) and anxiety symptoms (GAD-7), respectively. Demographic characteristics (e.g. higher-income country), COVID-19 exposure (e.g., having had unconfirmed COVID-19 symptoms), government-imposed quarantine level, and COVID-19-based life changes (e.g., having a hard time transitioning to working from home; increase in verbal arguments or conflict with other adult in home) explained 17.9% of the variance in depression and 21.5% in anxiety symptoms., Conclusions: In addition to posing a high risk to physical health, the COVID-19 pandemic has robustly affected global mental health, so it is essential to ensure that mental health services reach individuals showing pandemic-related depression and anxiety symptoms., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Aim: To understand the factors that contribute to the risk of suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (sexual minorities) youth. Background: The increase in the likelihood of suicide has made it an urgent issue in public health, particularly among young people, where it now ranks as the fourth leading cause of death. This issue becomes even more significant when focusing on sexual minorities. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was performed in targeted young individuals (15–29 years). Several variables were assessed, including suicide risk, self‐esteem, presence and severity of depressive symptoms, perceived social support and self‐reported levels of anxiety and depression. Results: Statistically significant disparities were observed in suicide risk, presence of depressive symptoms and self‐reported levels of anxiety and depression, all of which were more pronounced in sexual minority youth compared to heterosexual cisgender individuals. Likewise, statistically significant differences were noted concerning self‐esteem and family support, both of which were lower in sexual minority youth. Conclusion: This study has identified risk factors, such as anxiety, depression and limited social support, as well as protective factors, like higher self‐esteem and self‐concept. Understanding and addressing all these factors are essential in reducing the elevated rates of suicide among sexual minority youth. Consequently, evidence‐based interventions such as Gender and Sexuality Alliances, which empower and create safe spaces for sexual minority youth, possess substantial potential for effectively addressing this issue. Implications for the Profession: Given sexual minorities vulnerability, healthcare pros, especially nurses, must grasp suicide risk factors. They can help by educating, offering care, assessing risk and fighting stigma. This guarantees safety and access to mental health services for at‐risk individuals from sexual minorities. Reporting Method: The reporting follows the STROBE checklist. Patient Contribution: People who were invited to participate voluntarily completed a range of questionnaires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescent ineffective stress management has been associated with negative health outcomes, such as anxiety and depression. Comprehensively evaluating the effects of stress management interventions is needed. Aims: The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the effects of stress management interventions on mental health outcomes (stress, anxiety, depression, and positive and negative affect) and perform moderation analysis to identify moderators of intervention effects on stress, anxiety, and depression among U.S. high school adolescents. Methods: Four databases (CINAHL, ERIC, PubMed, and PsycINFO) were searched. After literature screening, 24 articles describing 25 studies were retained. Hedge's g was calculated using random-effects models. Exploratory moderation analyses were performed to identify moderators. Results: The pooled effects on reducing stress were −0.36. The interventions had small effects on decreasing anxiety (g = −0.31) and depression (g = −0.23). Long-term follow-up effects were −0.77 on perceived stress, −0.08 on anxiety, and −0.19 on depression. Mind-body and cognitive-behavioral interventions had moderate effects on reducing anxiety (g = −0.51). Interventions with longer duration (>8 weeks) were more effective in reducing anxiety (−0.39 vs. −0.26) and depression (−0.36 vs. −0.17). Conclusions: These findings support the short-term effectiveness of stress management interventions in improving mental health among high school adolescents in the United States. Subsequent research efforts should focus on sustaining long-term effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the mental health of people globally. Despite substantial research on the short-term psychological impact of COVID-19, its long-term consequences on mental health remain relatively unexplored. We aimed to examine mental health literature on prior outbreaks to provide recommendations for developing effective strategies to mitigate the short- and long-term psychological impact of the current pandemic. We conducted a narrative review of 41 studies to analyze the adverse impact of the following epidemics and pandemics on the mental health of individuals, groups, and communities: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Influenza A/H1N1, and Ebola Virus Disease. We noted that these past epidemics and pandemics escalated stress, distress, anxiety, fear, and stigma that persisted in countries and communities. We also identified the role of misinformation in propagating discrimination and prejudice towards certain groups. We discuss how the mental health outcomes of previous pandemics differed from the COVID-19 outbreak. We believe that strategies that reduce misinformation, educational initiatives, and mental health programs when introduced at the individual and community level have the potential to effectively diminish the negative psychological impact of COVID-19. This study followed the PRISMA guidance and was not registered in PROSPERO. This is a narrative review that used qualitative thematic analysis. Publishing a protocol on a protocol repository for such reviews is not the standard of practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, large swaths of the U.S. were under stay-at-home orders, thus preventing many individuals from leaving their homes. While previous studies have shown that such orders can be detrimental to mental health, specific mental health outcomes, such as loneliness and anxiety, have yet to be fully explored, particularly among various living situation contexts (e.g., living alone, with romantic/sexual partners, without romantic/sexual partners). The current study explores this using a mixed-methods approach. Data were collected via Amazon's M-Turk (N = 85). Kruskal–Wallis tests revealed significant differences between the three groups with respect to loneliness. Statistically significant greater levels of loneliness were found in individuals living alone compared to those living with romantic/sexual partners and those living with non-romantic/sexual partners. No significant differences in anxiety levels were detected. Qualitative analysis revealed similar themes among all groups regarding anxiety. When asked about loneliness, however, those living alone shared more about feeling isolated, unwanted feelings of solitude, and how technology only mitigates a portion of these feelings. Those living with others and sexual partners shared desires to see friends and co-workers, yet not to the severity described by individuals living alone. Romantic/sex life themes are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Coronavirus leads to multiple tragic consequences not only in the dimension of people's physical functioning, but also in the psychological dimension. Due to the increased risk of morbidity among the older people, the researchers put the emphasis on the elderly. Nonetheless, it is unacceptable to disregard it in the group of young people who become ill with it and observe its consequences with respect to their close relatives. Accordingly, it is so important to undertake studies pertaining to mental health of children and that of youth during the pandemic. Prior to initiating the research, the adequate selection of research tools of high psychometric properties should be made. Material and methods: Our objective was to adapt the Fear of COVID-19 Scale to Polish conditions. The study involved 380 randomly selected students aged 14-18 who were placed under the several months' national quarantine, i.e. they were taught online without the direct contact with peers. Results: The obtained data point to a low intensity of the fear of coronavirus, but the moderate intensity of: satisfaction with life, depression symptoms, state anxiety. Moreover, the confirmation has been provided of high psychometric properties of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale in the Polish version. Conclusions: The adapted scale can be successfully used in the comparative studies of the youth in Poland and in other countries (thanks to different linguistic versions of the scale) for the preventive and therapeutic measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have examined the psychological impact on adolescents of family confinement and infection exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these surveys lacked follow-up data to determine how the family confinement affects participants' depression and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychological status and related risk and protective factors of adolescents after two months of family confinement for preventing COVID-19 in China, and compare them with baseline data. We surveyed teenagers in January 2020 before the COVID-19 outbreak (T1) and after home confinement (T2). We used the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Scale and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). 13,637 valid questionnaires were collected at T1, of which 22.34% reported depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) and 14.42% reported anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 ≥ 10). At T2, the rates decreased to 14.86 and 7.44%, respectively (all P < 0.0001). Of the adolescents, 223 reported potential risk of exposure to COVID-19. We then compared them to the 9639 non-risk adolescents using a propensity score matching analysis. The adolescents with potential exposure risk had higher rates of depression (26.91 vs 15.32%, P = 0.0035) and anxiety (14.80 vs 7.21%, P = 0.01) than risk-free adolescents. Among adolescents with an exposure risk, psychological resilience was protective in preventing depression and anxiety symptoms, while emotional abuse, a poor parent–child relationship were risk factors. Long-term home confinement had minimal psychological impact on adolescents, but COVID-19 infection rates accounted for 50% of the variance in depression and anxiety among adolescents even with low community rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim is to study changes in sleep and emotions in Spanish population during the confinement period due to first wave of COVID-19. A total of 363 adults (69.4% women) aged between 18 and 65 (Mage = 32.59; SD = 12.57) participated in the study. Socio-demographics, sleep quality and emotional experience were evaluated. The study was longitudinal: a first data collection was developed after 15 d of confinement (asking for a subjective comparison with the pre-confined period), and a second collection after 30 d. Results suggest differences in sleep quality depending on the time confined. Difficulty falling asleep increases and daytime activity decreases with longer confined periods. Morning fatigue, sleepiness and nightmares are reduced significantly after 15 d of confinement when compared with the subjective data from pre-confinement. After 15 d of confinement participants felt higher levels of apathy, sadness, irritability and lower levels of euphoria and joy than they remember feeling before confinement. Anxiety, concern and fear seem to increase at 15 d of confinement and decrease at 30 d. Sleep quality and emotional experiences in confinement are closely correlated. The confinement in Spain worsened the emotional state and changed sleep habits, although it did not necessarily worsen the quality of sleep. There are differences in sleep quality depending on the time spent in confinement. Confinement situation is related with higher levels of apathy, sadness, and irritability and lower levels of euphoria and joy. Anxiety, concern and fear seem to increase at 15 d of confinement and then decrease at 30 d. Sleep quality and emotional experiences in confinement are closely correlated. After COVID-19, there is a remarkable need of attend the disturbances emerged in sleep habits and daily moods of general popunlation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between computer-mediated communication (CMC) and well-being is a complex, consequential, and hotly debated topic that has received significant attention from pundits, researchers, and the media. Conflicting research findings and fear over negative outcomes have spurred both moral panic and further research into these associations. To create a more comprehensive picture of trends, explanations, and future directions in this domain of research, we conducted a systematic mesolevel review of 366 studies across 349 articles published since 2007 that report associations between CMC and well-being. Although most of this research is not explicitly theoretical, several potential theoretical mechanisms for positive and negative effects of CMC on well-being are utilized. The heterogeneity of effects in the studies we reviewed could be explained by the discipline in which the research is conducted, the methodology used, the types of CMC and well-being examined, and the population studied. Our evaluation of this body of research highlights the importance of attending to how we conceptualize communication and well-being, the questions we ask, and the populations and contexts we study when both reading and producing research on CMC and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic imposed changes on day-to-day activities and had a detrimental psychological effect on the population, especially among vulnerable individuals, such as adolescents and young adults. The current study aimed to explore variables associated with anxiety, depressive and somatic symptoms in a sample of 608 Italian young adults aged 18 to 25. Data were collected using an online questionnaire administered two months into the COVID-19 lockdown, which explored several areas including sociodemographic information, pre-pandemic and current psychological distress, pre-pandemic and current levels of loneliness, and the traits of intolerance of uncertainty and boredom susceptibility. Results highlighted that having pre-existing mental health issues, being female, and the personality traits of intolerance to uncertainty and boredom susceptibility all played a role in the psychological distress experienced during the pandemic. COVID-19 contributed to negative impacts on young adults' mental health, highlighting the necessity to develop protective psychological intervention tailored for this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research shows high rates of anxious symptoms in people autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Finding factors related to the development of anxiety in ASD is necessary. Emotion regulation (ER) is associated with anxiety in ASD. Moreover, some studies find higher rates of anxiety in women with ASD. A total of 121 adults (M = 35.46 years, SD = 9.46) with ASD and intellectual disabilities were evaluated to verify moderating role of gender and mediating role of ER. A moderated mediation analysis supported the moderated role of gender in the relationship mediated by emotional dysregulation between ASD and anxiety. These findings suggest that interventions designed to prevent or reduce anxiety symptoms in women with ASD should include among their goals emotional regulation. Lay Summary: If we want to reduce or prevent anxiety symptoms in women with ASD we must work on emotional regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and food security are two leading public health issues that disproportionately impact women in the United States. Despite this connection, the relationship between IPV and food security has been relatively unexplored. While food security is a known factor in increased well‐being, it is not often explicitly included in care for survivors. As part of a larger study on survivors of domestic violence who are receiving services from a domestic violence and sexual assault agency in the Southern United States, we analysed participant responses (n = 26) to various scales (i.e. depression, anxiety, PTSD, disability, well‐being, hope, food security) to determine the relationships between mental health and food‐related variables. Importantly, findings from our study show that survivors experience low food security at higher rates (53.8%) than the U.S. national average (11.5%). Additionally, the proportion of survivors in our sample who are receiving some form of food aid and remain food insecure is high (26.9%), leading to questions about the adequacy of food aid. Finally, our results underpin the relationship between food security and mental health for survivors, as low food security is positively correlated with depression, PTSD, disability, trouble concentrating, lack of hope and decreased well‐being. These findings have implications for how we evaluate food security and the role it plays in well‐being for survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has induced an increase in anxiety, stress, and depression in the world population, prompting a reevaluation of these well-known risk factors on cardiovascular burden. This short report analyzes the impact of the pandemic on stress and depression, highlighting how the phenomenon has particularly affected women and highlights the strategies that can be undertaken after the pandemic to reduce stress and depression. We have analyzed the pandemic because it has completely changed the scenario of cardiovascular risk factors with an important increase in socio-economic stressors It is still difficult to assess the damage produced on cardiovascular risk just as it is almost impossible to predict how the overwhelming and important increase in Long-Covid Syndromes will impact the population. Strong action is needed to support critical situations and to implement social campaigns aimed at restoring healthy lifestyles. Physical activity can be an easy and inexpensive tool to help cope with stress and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangladesh is now experiencing the COVID-19 outbreak; however, there has been minimal focus on mental health over physical health problems during this pandemic in Bangladesh. The present study was conducted using self-rated scales on a sample of 500 Bangladeshi people to address this gap. Results suggested two-fifths of the participants had depression and anxiety symptoms, and one-third were highly worried and felt stressed. Females, students, unmarried, and 18–30-year-olds were in more vulnerable positions in terms of their mental health. These findings would be helpful to assess and formulate psychological interventions to improve the mental health of vulnerable groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 restrictions have impacted people's lifestyles in all spheres (social, psychological, political, economic, and others). This study explored which factors affected the level of anxiety during the time of the first wave of COVID-19 and subsequent quarantine in a substantial proportion of 23 countries, included in this study. The data was collected from May to August 2020 (5 June 2020). The sample included 15,375 participants from 23 countries: (seven from Europe: Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Russia; 11 from West, South and Southeast Asia: Armenia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey; two African: Nigeria and Tanzania; and three from North, South, and Central America: Brazil, Canada, United States). Level of anxiety was measured by means of the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the 20-item first part of The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)—State Anxiety Inventory (SAI). Respondents were also asked about their personal experiences with COVID-19, attitudes toward measures introduced by governments, changes in attitudes toward migrants during a pandemic, family income, isolation conditions, etc. The factor analysis revealed that four factors explained 45.08% of variance in increase of anxiety, and these components were interpreted as follows: (1) personal awareness of the threat of COVID-19, (2) personal reaction toward officially undertaken measures and attitudes to foreigners, (3) personal trust in official sources, (4) personal experience with COVID-19. Three out of four factors demonstrated strong associations with both scales of anxiety: high level of anxiety was significantly correlated with high level of personal awareness of the threat of COVID-19, low level of personal reaction toward officially undertaken measures and attitudes to foreigners, and high level of presence of personal experience with COVID-19. Our study revealed significant main effects of sex, country, and all four factors on the level of anxiety. It was demonstrated that countries with higher levels of anxiety assessed the real danger of a pandemic as higher, and had more personal experience with COVID-19. Respondents who trusted the government demonstrated lower levels of anxiety. Finally, foreigners were perceived as the cause of epidemic spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Findings regarding the relationship between IQ and comorbidity in autism and ADHD are inconsistent. Mothers rated 1,436 children with autism and 1,056 with ADHD without autism (IQs 9–149, ages 2–17) on the Pediatric Behavior Scale. Children with IQs < 70 (vs. ≥ 70) had less oppositional behavior, irritability, tantrums, conduct problems, generalized anxiety, and depression and more separation anxiety. Children with ADHD-Inattentive had less comorbidity than children with autism and children with ADHD-Combined. For autism, 80% had ADHD-Combined symptoms and 9% had ADHD-Inattentive symptoms. Most children with autism and with ADHD-Combined with IQs ≥ 70 had oppositional defiant disorder, as did almost half with IQs < 70. For autism, 45% with IQs ≥ 70 had generalized anxiety and 47% with IQs < 70 had separation anxiety. Given high rates of comorbid symptoms in autism and ADHD, clinicians should be alert to and assess for psychiatric comorbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Cyberchondria is a term used to refer to excessive surfing the web looking for health care information, excessive checking behavior being related to health-related anxiety. This period of quarantine for the Covid-19 pandemic is increasing the pathological use of the internet, and the excessive surfing the web looking for health care information. Another dimension related to the Covid-19 outbreak refers to uncertainty intolerance, for this reason being necessary for the healthcare professionals to provide clear and linear information. Aim. The aim of this review is to identify the psychological correlations connected to cyberchondria in the quarantine period. Methods. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we carried out a systematic review of the literature on PubMed. The terms used for the search were "Cyberchondria" OR "Anxiety" AND "Quarantine". Results. As resulting from the reviewed literature, there is a relationship between anxiety for one's own state of health and cyberchondria, with negative psychological effects of quarantine, including post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression, anxiety, low mood, irritability, insomnia, uncertainty, emotional exhaustion, this condition being associated with hypervigilance, and catastrophic misinterpretation of bodily signs. Conclusion. In the light of this and according to the literature, it would be desirable that research can further explore the factors influencing the increase in cyberchondria in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing protocols designed to impede transmission of the corona virus have severe mental health consequences. This study examine changes in loneliness in the general adult population when the corona-related social distancing protocols were largely discontinued (T2) following a period of strict protocols (T1), predictors and correlates of these changes, and the associations between loneliness and depression and anxiety symptoms. In an online survey, 10,061 responded at T1. At T2, these respondents were asked to complete the survey again, and 4936 (49.1%) of them responded. Loneliness decreased from T1 to T2, but only to a minor extent. Using a multilevel approach, younger age was found to be related to more reduction of loneliness from T1 to T2. Higher health anxiety was found to predict less reduction of loneliness across time. Reduction of maladaptive coping strategies and negative metacognitive beliefs from T1 to T2 were both associated with reduction in loneliness. In turn, reductions in loneliness were associated with reductions of depression and anxiety symptoms. The results suggest that health anxiety, maladaptive coping strategies and negative meta-beliefs are potential targets of intervention to alleviate loneliness. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04444115. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 outbreak imposes the adoption of extraordinary containment measures, including the strict necessity to limit interpersonal contact. Face-to-face psychotherapy collides with this requirement and, above all, it might endanger both therapists and patients' safety. Telepsychotherapy might come to the aid, ensuring therapeutic continuity and the possibility to reach people who might benefit of extra psychological support. Infectious outbreaks have been indeed associated with major psychopathological outcomes. The aim of the present work is to review the most recent experimental evidence about telepsychotherapy, focusing on its effectiveness, possible determinants of efficacy and therapists/patients' attitudes, to rapidly inform psychotherapists. Out of the 857 records found, 18 studies have been included in the review. Our results show that, despite therapists and public's skepticism, telepsychotherapy is a trustworthy alternative to be adopted, which can be used efficaciously to treat common mental-health disorders such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic distress. As well as in the traditional setting, a higher number of sessions and the proper management of patients' expectations seem to be associated with better outcomes. On the contrary, low familiarity with web-based means of communication and technical issues might reduce specifically the effectiveness of telepsychotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Social participation in daily living the activities requires the maintenance of a variety of social relationships with others and engagement in various social activities. Proper social participation increases the feeling of attachment, provides a stable sense of identity, and increases one's sense of worth, belonging, and dependence on society. Lack of social participation leads to anxiety, loneliness, depression, panic, mental disorders and many other mental problems and affects society in general. A new coronavirus, called COVID-19, was identified in late December 2019 in China. After just one year, it has been reportedly infected more than 85 million people (up to January 1, 2021) worldwide, and more than 1.8 million have died. Two public health measures to break the transmission chain include quarantine and social distancing. These measures restrict gatherings or separate individuals. Due to these measures in many countries, people's participation in many social activities has been disrupted. The purpose of this study is to survey the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on home integration, community integration and productive activities. Materials & Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2020 by using the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) which measures home integration, community integration, and productive activities, along with a demographic form which were sent to 461 participants in Iran (Mean ±SD age= 36.86±5.8 years) on WhatsApp or via email and completed online. Participants were selected from among college students, patients, people with disabilities, their families and relatives, and others who could use smartphones, computers, tablets, and laptops. The effects of Covid-19 were evaluated by analyzing the CIQ scores before and after the pandemic in SPSS v. 22 software. Results Comparing the CIQ scores before and after the pandemic, results showed that it significantly reduced home integration (P<0.0001), social integration (P<0.0001), productive activities (P<0.0001) and total score (P<0.0001). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the social life of people. In addition to health threats of this disease, the fear of being infected and losing loved ones, job, educational opportunities, recreation, freedom and support, have profound psychological effects. Not only getting infected, but also the fear of getting infected can lead to a lack of access to resources that can improve people's resistance to this disease. The COVID-19 pandemic has direct and indirect psychological and social effects and can affect mental health. In order to reduce the negative psychosocial effects of quarantine and social distancing, the implementation of national strategies to promote social participation by Information and Communication Technology-based programs is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores how World Health Organization proclaimed the COVID-19 upsurge as a worldwide pandemic on January, 30 2020. Topics include virus has impacted major aspects of human existence from physical to mental health across the globe; and COVID-19 epidemic has prompted depressive symptoms, social isolation, and a decreased sense of well-being contributing to increased psychological distress for people.

Adolescents' involvement in bullying is associated with both sleep and mental health problems, but the nature of this association remains unclear; further, its association with academic outcomes has received little attention. Thus, the aims of the current study were to (a) determine whether involvement in bullying as a victim, bully, or bully-victim was associated with greater sleep and mental health problems and (b) explore the potential mediating effect of sleep and mental health problems on the association between bullying and academic outcomes. A large 2012 population-based study in Hordaland County, Norway, surveyed 10,220 adolescents (16-19 years; 54% girls) about bullying involvement using the revised version of the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire, detailed sleep assessment, and mental health questionnaires. Academic outcomes were obtained from official administrative registries. 1.7% of the adolescents (n = 156) reported being victims of bullying, 1.0% (n = 92) reported being a bully, and 0.5% (n = 50) reported being a bully-victim. All categories of bullying involvement had higher rates of mental health problems compared with adolescents not involved in bullying. Victims reported more symptoms of anxiety and depression, whereas bullies reported higher rates of conduct problems. Adolescents in all bullying categories also reported significantly shorter sleep duration and higher prevalence of insomnia as well as lower grade point average (GPA) compared with adolescents not involved; however, school absence was not associated with bullying involvement. Bullying involvement and GPA showed complete mediation for bullies and bully-victims and partial mediation for victims through sleep duration, conduct problems, and symptoms of depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Bullying is strongly associated with mental health and sleep problems, in addition to lower academic performance. Findings support the importance of addressing bullying involvement during this important developmental period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic led to significant lifestyle changes for children and adolescents mainly related to the closure of schools and recreational activities, reduced social interaction, and increased family concerns. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of 78 questions investigating social determinants of health, mood changes, symptoms of anxiety, increase in sleep disorders and unusual repetitive movements was offered to parents living in Italy with children ≤18 years; including families of children with disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, chronic diseases, and specific learning disabilities. The survey was conducted on the Qualtrics platform 6 months after the beginning of the pandemic and distributed in hospitals and paediatricians' waiting rooms as well as through social networks. The primary outcomes were the increase in sleep disorders among children and adolescents. Possible risk factors were investigated through multivariable regression. Results: Six thousand two hundred ten volunteer parents responded to the questions concerning mood changes, sleep disorders and unusual repetitive movements, and were included in the present study. The majority were female (91.8%) and Italian (97.0%). 72.7% answered that their children had become more nervous, worried, or sad (80.2% in children with learning disabilities); 77.6% reported feelings of loneliness and 69.3% more difficulties in children falling asleep, 30.2% in staying asleep, and 18.7% an increase in nightmares and/or sleep terrors. Statistical analysis identified socioeconomic status, parent's job loss, food insecurity, family attitude toward the pandemic, and children's mood swing, feelings of loneliness, or missing outdoor activities, as major risk factors for sleep disorders. Conclusion: The first Covid-19 lockdown impacted children's and adolescents' health through an increase in sleep disorders. In the following phases of the pandemic, this evidence may be useful to investigate and treat these disorders as well as make decisions about containment health policies concerning this age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The long‐term closing of schools and home‐quarantine during the COVID‐19 pandemic cause negative effects on the physical and mental health of young people. Studies evaluating the mental health of adolescents during the pandemic are limited in the literature. Aim: In our study, it was aimed to determine the results of home‐quarantine measures taken for adolescents during the pandemic and the affecting factors. Method: This study was conducted as an online cross‐sectional self‐report questionnaire and included children aged between 12 and 18 years. The data were obtained from the children of volunteer families via Facebook family groups, and Google Forms questionnaires sent by the child psychiatry clinic to their smartphones. Sociodemographic form, State‐Trait anxiety scale, and UCLA loneliness survey were used as data collection tools. Results: We examined the data of 745 adolescents. The average age of the study group was 16.83 ± 1.66 years, and 69.5% were females. It was determined that 88.2% of the adolescents followed the developments in the COVID‐19 process and obtained most information from the television. State anxiety was related to "Former psychiatric referral" by 4.39‐fold, "Having a COVID positive patient in the family or your surroundings" by 3.81‐fold, and "The most common medium for obtaining COVID‐related information" by 2.41‐fold. Conclusions: Closure of schools and home‐quarantine during pandemic causes anxiety and loneliness in young people. The identification of risky groups helps to properly support these individuals by various social connections, including healthcare professionals, families, and schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate depression, stress, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviours in the Lebanese population in response to COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and April 2020 on 386 participants randomly recruited from Lebanese general population. Following the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon compared to was not significantly associated with higher stress, higher depression, lower obsessive-compulsive traits, higher anxiety. Moreover, higher compulsion (Beta = 0.092), having a university level of education (Beta = 0.573), intermediate income (Beta = 1.889), following the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon all of the time (Beta = 7.064), most of the time (Beta = 5.592), sometimes (Beta = 4.235) and little of the time (Beta = 7.676) were significantly associated with a higher hygienic prevention practices score. Higher age (Beta = –0.051), being a male (Beta = –1.432), higher depression (Beta = –0.083) and practicing religion some of the time (Beta = –0.826) were significantly associated with a lower hygienic prevention practices score. This study found a strong interrelationship between psychological stress, depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive traits during the COVID-19 pandemic and identified the most vulnerable sub-groups in the Lebanese population. Additional measures should be deployed by health authorities in Lebanon and worldwide to face the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. Following the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon compared to not was significantly associated with higher stress, higher depression, lower obsessive-compulsive disorder, higher anxiety. Higher compulsion, having a university level of education, following the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon were significantly associated with a higher hygienic prevention practices score. Higher depression, male gender, and practicing religion some of the time were significantly associated with a lower hygienic prevention practices score. Additional measures should be deployed by health authorities in Lebanon and worldwide to face the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We described the prevalence of anxiety and depression related to COVID-19 pandemic among different types of population and examined their potential risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect demographic characteristics, exposure histories, and many other concerns about COVID-19. The Zung's self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS), followed by a four-step multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with mental health outcomes. Results: Out of 3,303 participants, the quarantined people (40.9%), community workstation staffs-policemen-volunteers (CPV) (36.4%) and general public (30.7%) reported higher percentages of depression than the general medical staff (18.4%). Moreover, the quarantined people (19.1%) also showed higher prevalence of anxiety than the general public (9.1%) and the general medical staff (7.8%). The quarantined people had the highest risk of anxiety and depression, whereas the self-rated health was negatively associated with the risks of anxiety and depression. Younger age group (18 to 30 years) showed higher risks of anxiety (OR = 6.22, 95% CI = 2.89–13.38, p < 0.001) and depression (OR = 3.69, 95% CI = 2.40–5.69, p < 0.001). People who had exposure history or contact from Hubei province after December 1, 2019 (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.07–2.30, p < 0.001), had family or friends engaged in front-line health care work (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.02–2.14, p < 0.001), had confirmed case nearby (OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.43–4.18, p < 0.001) were all more likely to suffer from anxiety. Moreover, the negligence (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.37–2.51, p < 0.001) or overindulgence (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.03–2.04, p < 0.001) toward the epidemic information was associated with a higher risk of depression and anxiety. Conclusions: Our findings show that the CPV and quarantined people were most at-risk population. We have identified that the young people, people with exposure histories and negligence or overindulgence toward epidemic information are in grave need of attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns toward public well-being and mental health are increasing considering the COVID-19 pandemic's global societal and individual impact. The present study builds on the current body of COVID-19 literature by examining the role of mental toughness (MT) in predicting negative affective states (depression, anxiety and stress) during the pandemic. The study also examined the effects of changes in employment on mental health and MT. Participants (N = 723) completed a battery of questionnaires including the Mental Toughness Questionnaire 48-item, The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory , and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 items. Participants reported relatively higher levels of depression, stress and anxiety in comparison to pre-COVID-19 samples from previous research, with respondents who had lost their jobs during the pandemic reporting higher levels of negative affective states. Despite this, mentally tough individuals appeared to report lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress. Moreover, moderation analyses identified some interaction between MT and employment status when predicting depression, anxiety and stress. Our findings suggest that MT may have some utility in reducing the adverse mental health effects of the pandemic on individuals, however, further longitudinal research is needed to support these implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Our study aimed to test the hypotheses that an increased level of loneliness experienced during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) confinement was predictive of internalizing symptoms and that this pathway was mediated by emotion dysregulation levels. Methods: To reach this aim, we performed an online longitudinal survey recruiting 1,330 participants at Time 1 (at the beginning of the lockdown) and 308 participants at Time 2 (few days before the end of the lockdown). All filled out a set of questionnaires: demographic data, University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness scale, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale−18 items, and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale−21 items. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling in two steps and controlling for age. First, hypotheses were tested on cross-sectional data. Then, a cross-lagged panel analysis was performed on longitudinal data. Results: Models obtained a good fit and evidenced the predictive role of loneliness levels on the three outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress). Moreover, we found that emotion dysregulation levels partially mediated the longitudinal relationship between loneliness and both depression and stress but not between loneliness and anxiety levels. Conclusions: This study points out that a central goal of clinical intervention could be the ability to regulate negative emotional states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global, virulent pandemic disease that emerged in December 2019, with both short- and long-term psychological repercussions being inevitable. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of psychological distress, defined by the presence of either depression or anxiety, among the public in Oman during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a web-based, cross-sectional study conducted using governmental and private institutional e-mail systems and social media platforms. Anxiety and depression were assessed using both the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent predictors. There were a total of 1538 participants in this study (75% female). The prevalence of psychological distress was 30%. Being female, having financial instability, being treated for mental illness and self-medication for coping with stress were independent predictors of psychological distress among the study sample (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.69, confidence interval [CI] = 1.24–2.29; OR = 2.05, CI = 1.54–2.74; OR = 5.35, CI = 3.50–8.18; OR = 7.23, CI = 3.06–17.09, respectively). The results from this study will help public health officials in Oman to plan for and mitigate psychological repercussions of the current and future pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression among the urban Indian population during the period of national lockdown imposed by the government of India to combat the COVID-19 pandemic Method: Total 278 participants were participated in an online, cross-sectional survey. Anxiety and depression was assessed. Gender, age, occupation and average time spent on gathering information on COVID-19 was assessed. Results: less than 30 years of age and students showed higher prevalence of depression. Participants spending more than three hours on COVID-19 information showed that 18.2%, 42.4% and 37.9% were mildly, moderately and severely affected by anxiety symptoms, respectively and 19.7%, 47% and 24.2% were mildly, moderately and severely affected with depression. Further, more than three hours of time spent on COVID-19 showed strong association with mild, moderate and severe anxiety (p<0.001) as well as mild, moderate and severe depression (p≤0.01). Conclusions: Participants, less than 30 years of age and students were found more likely to have anxiety and depression symptoms. Participants who have been spending more than three hours on COVID-19 information were strongly affected with mild, moderate and severe anxiety as well as depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Following the severe consequences of the COVID‐19 outbreak, on March 9, 2020, the Italian government implemented extraordinary measures to limit viral transmission, including restrictive quarantine measures. This resulted in a rapid and profound change of people's daily lives. Objective: We assessed the psychological impact of the 40‐day quarantine in a large cohort of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and caregivers. Moreover, we analyzed whether prelockdown clinical features may be associated with subjective response of patients with PD to this traumatic event. Methods: A total of 94 patients with PD were enrolled in the study. The Impact of Event Scale‐Revised, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and the 12‐item Zarit Burden Inventory were obtained from patients and caregivers by email. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine whether prelockdown clinical motor and nonmotor features were associated with the psychological impact of lockdown. Results: Regression analyses showed that prelockdown levels of anxiety, treatment‐related motor complications, patients' quality of life, and lockdown hours per day were significantly associated with psychological impact measures of the 40‐day quarantine. In addition, we showed that caregiver burden was correlated with overall patient autonomy and attention/memory impairment. Conclusions: We identified specific PD motor and nonmotor features potentially predisposing to higher psychological impact of stressful situations, such as quarantine. This may help guide postpandemic interventions and preventive strategies to avoid further impairment of psychological well‐being in patients with PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background and Objective: During epidemics of infectious diseases, individuals' health, especially their mental health, is affected. This study aimed to evaluate general health and its dimensions during the COVID-19 epidemic in South Khorasan province, Iran. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study. Individual information was collected voluntarily on the web. General health evaluation was performed by a standard questionnaire (GHQ-28). The collected data were entered into the SPSS v.23 and statistical tests were performed. Findings: This study was performed on 320 people, most of the subjects were in the age range of 20-30 years. Also, 80 (25.0%) participants reported nonspecific symptoms of COVID-19 such as headache, sore throat, and dry cough, and 216 people (67.5%) used personal protective equipment (PPE). The mean score of the GHQ-28 one month before the COVID-19 epidemic (BE) was 16.5 ± 9.1, while the mean of this score during the epidemic (DE) increased by 1.8 points and reached 18.3 ± 10.2 (P =0.003, effect size=10.9%). The score of anxiety/insomnia subscale showed the highest increment. Adjusted R2 values for the scores of somatic symptoms, anxiety/insomnia, and social dysfunction subscales, and the score of the GHQ-28 were 14.8%, 10.5%, 13.8%, and 13.1%, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that with the COVID-19 epidemic, the community has been faced with conditions in which individuals' anxiety, depression, social function, and in general, various dimension of health, has been deteriorated. The results of this study can be beneficial for appropriate planning for maintaining, promoting, and improving health in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mitigation strategies employed against the COVID-19 pandemic have severe mental health consequences. In particular, as a result of the social distancing protocols, loneliness is likely to increase. This study investigates (a) potential risk and resilience factors for loneliness in the Norwegian population during the strict social distancing non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) implemented against the pandemic and (b) the associations between loneliness and psychopathology symptoms. Methods: A survey was disseminated online to the adult Norwegian population when strict social distancing measures had been implemented for 2 weeks. The resulting sample of 10,061 respondents was unproportionate in terms of gender and educational level and thus sensitivity analyses were conducted. The levels of loneliness were compared across demographic sub-groups, and regression analyses were conducted to identify potential risk and resilience factors for loneliness and associations between loneliness and psychopathology symptoms. Results: Among the stable factors, being single and having a psychiatric diagnosis were related to more loneliness with small effect sizes. Among the state risk factors, more rumination and worry in general were associated with stronger loneliness, showing a medium effect size. Among the coping behaviors examined, doing new things at home not done otherwise was negatively related to loneliness, with a small effect size. Loneliness was associated with both depression and anxiety with small effect sizes when all potential confounders and psychiatric diagnosis were controlled for. The relationship to depression was more marked than the relationship to anxiety. Conclusions: The findings suggest that singles and those with a psychiatric diagnosis were most affected by loneliness during the implementation of social distancing measures to impede the coronavirus. The results support the link between loneliness and depression and anxiety symptoms. The results of the analysis of potential risk and resilience factors point to intervention targets for reducing loneliness during pandemic crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As we all know, COVID-19 has impacted the entire world. Quarantine disrupts people's lives, with high levels of stress and negative psychological impacts. Studies carried out mostly in the Far East, Europe, or the United States have started to provide evidence on survivors, frontline healthcare workers, and parents. The present study is the first survey to be carried out in Latin America (in Santiago, the capital of Chile). It aims to (a) explore the perceived psychological impact and future concerns; (b) evaluate vulnerability factors; (c) describe the perceived psychological impacts on participants whose psychological help and actual online psychotherapy was interrupted; and (d) explore the future need for psychological help. Procedure: An online survey was carried out (the first 2 weeks of lockdown in Santiago), which included sociodemographic data, perceived psychological impact, future concerns, and questions about psychological support. Participants: A total of 3,919 subjects answered, mostly women (80%). Results: The main perceived psychological impacts were concern (67%) and anxiety (60%). Future concerns were : general health (55.3%), employment (53.1%), and finances (49.8%). Younger participants had a greater perceived psychological impact (p 's < 0.01) and concerns about employment, finances, mental health, stigma, and general health (p 's < 0.001). Women reported more perceived psychological impact than men (p 's < 0.05). Men reported mainly boredom (χ2 = 11.82, gl = 1, p < 0.001). Dependent employees experienced more boredom, anxiety, distress, sleep problems, an inability to relax, and a lack of concentration than the self-employed (p's < 0.05). While the latter reported future concerns about employment and finances (p 's < 0.001), dependent employees reported them on their general and mental health (p 's < 0.001). Regarding psychological support, 22% of participants were receiving it before lockdown. They showed more perceived psychological impact than those who were not (p 's < 0.01), and 7% of them had online psychotherapy, reporting excellent (32.1%) or odd but working (65.2%) results. Finally, of the total sample, almost half of the participants (43.8%) felt they would need emotional support after this pandemic, and these are the ones that also showed higher perceived psychological impact (p 's < 0.001). This study confirms the presence of perceived negative emotional impact and concerns about the future. Also, there are vulnerable groups, such as women, younger people, the self-employed, and people with psychological processes that were interrupted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The worldwide pandemic situation caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to a state of confinement of the population, which has caused, following consulted research, an increase in stress. Faced with this situation, the Spanish university not only had to adapt to the changes derived from the causes of the pandemic but also had to face a new methodological model—e-learning teaching—for which not all teachers and students were prepared. This could cause an increase in stress due to the uncertainty caused by this time of change. This research analyzes the relationship between perceived self-efficacy in the confinement period and the level of trait anxiety (TA) and state anxiety (SA) during COVID-19. Four hundred twenty-seven students from the University of Granada (Spain) participated in this study. The adaptation of two scales that measure perceived academic self-efficacy and anxiety (TA and SA) has been applied. The results indicated that there was an inversely proportional relationship between anxiety and self-efficacy; men showed the highest perception of self-efficacy, while women had higher scores in TA and SA; the latter was accentuated in cases when a relative died. To conclude, students who show a higher level of anxiety (TA and SA) express more negative emotions and also perceive themselves with less academic self-efficacy. Therefore, a stressful situation (pandemic and confinement) together with a critical event (illness and death of a relative/friend due to COVID-19) increases anxiety levels and influences the perception of academic self-efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The psychological impact of the COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and lockdown measures on the Italian population are unknown. The current study assesses rates of mental health outcomes in the Italian general population three to 4 weeks into lockdown measures and explores the impact of COVID-19 related potential risk factors. Methods: A web-based survey spread throughout the internet between March 27th and April 6th 2020. Eighteen thousand one hundred forty-seven individuals completed the questionnaire, 79.6% women. Selected outcomes were post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression, anxiety, insomnia, perceived stress, and adjustment disorder symptoms (ADS). Seemingly unrelated logistic regression analysis was performed to identify COVID-19 related risk factors. Results: Endorsement rates for PTSS were 6,604 (37%), 3,084 (17.3%) for depression, 3,700 (20.8%) for anxiety, 1,301 (7.3%) for insomnia, 3,895 (21.8%) for high perceived stress and 4,092 (22.9%) for adjustment disorder. Being woman and younger age were associated with all of the selected outcomes. Quarantine was associated with PTSS, anxiety and ADS. Any recent COVID-related stressful life event was associated with all the selected outcomes. Discontinued working activity due to the COVID-19 was associated with all the selected outcomes, except for ADS; working more than usual was associated with PTSS, Perceived stress and ADS. Having a loved one deceased by COVID-19 was associated with PTSS, depression, perceived stress, and insomnia. Conclusion: We found high rates of negative mental health outcomes in the Italian general population 3 weeks into the COVID-19 lockdown measures and different COVID-19 related risk factors. These findings warrant further monitoring on the Italian population's mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) emerging adults often seek support from their peers if they lack support from their family of origin. We predicted that peer social support would moderate the link between negative family relationships and psychosocial adjustment, such that in the context of family rejection, experiencing more peer support would predict lower levels of anxiety, depression, and internalized homonegativity (IH) and higher self-esteem. Sixty-two (27 females) LGB individuals (ages 17–27, M = 21.34 years, SD = 2.65) reported on their families’ attitudes toward homosexuality, experiences of family victimization, peer social support, anxiety and depression symptoms, IH, and self-esteem. Results showed that peer social support moderated the link between negative family attitudes and anxiety and also moderated the link between family victimization and depression. The moderating effects suggest that having a supportive peer group may protect against mental health problems for LGB emerging adults who lack support from their family of origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LGBTQ adolescents experience higher rates of mental health disorders than their heterosexual peers. The purpose of this systematic review of the literature was to examine studies evaluating social support and its effects on mental health in the LGBTQ adolescent population. Higher levels of social support were associated with positive self-esteem. Lack of social support (or low social support) was associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, alcohol or drug misuse, risky sexual behaviors, shame, and low self-esteem. Interdisciplinary research teams from multiple and diverse professions could provide valuable insight supporting the development of inclusive and comprehensive interventions programs for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many heterosexual youth report homophobic victimization but there is little longitudinal research to examine its mental health consequences for them. In a 7-month study across an academic school year among 572 heterosexual high school students (55 % females), we tested the short-term effects of homophobic victimization on anxiety and depressive symptoms with attention to gender differences. Homophobic victimization at the beginning of the school year predicted higher levels of concurrent anxiety over and above levels attributable to general victimization. Further, when controlling for initial anxiety and general victimization, homophobic victimization at the beginning of the school year predicted increased anxiety at the end of the school year for males, but not for females. Homophobic victimization across time points was more strongly associated for males than females, and this accounted for why initial homophobic victimization predicted increased anxiety for males but not females (i.e., it was indicative of mediated moderation). In contrast, homophobic victimization at the beginning of the school year did not predict concurrent depressive symptoms over and above general victimization. Similarly, although it predicted increased depressive symptoms at the end of the school year for males but not for females, the effect was weaker than for anxiety. These findings underscore that the effects of homophobic victimization are not temporary, particularly as they pertain to anxiety, and underscore the need to consider the nature of the victimization that youth experience, including for heterosexual youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]