Search

Newborn screening (NBS) has been available for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) over the last decades. Through the implementation of NBS, a new designation emerged, that of CF related metabolic syndrome (CRMS) or cystic fibrosis screen positive inconclusive diagnosis (CFSPID). As there is uncertainty regarding the clinical progression of these infants to CF, some studies have investigated the psychological impact of CRMS/CFSPID on their parents. This systematic narrative review aimed to describe the findings of the relevant studies. The number of studies is limited and the study samples are relatively small. It seems that there is a negative impact of CRMS/CFSPID on parental mental health. While some studies indicated similar levels of parental anxiety among those with infants diagnosed with CF and those with CRMS/CFSPID, not all studies reached the same conclusion. Parental uncertainty represents another mental dimension of the impact associated with the designation of CRMS/CFSPID. These observations suggest that parents of infants with CRMS/CFSPID should be provided with effective communication, and it may also be beneficial to consider parental mental screening. More robust and long-term studies are required to detect differences in parental emotional status between those with infants diagnosed with CF and those with CRMS/CFSPID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scars are fibrous tissues that replace normal tissue during the wound healing process. Scarring can lead to low self‐esteem, social impairment, depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric and psychological distress, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the latest perspectives, topical research, and directions in scarring‐mental health. This is a biblioshiny and VOSviewer based bibliometric analysis study. All data were obtained from the Web of Science, and a total of 664 articles from 2003 to 2022 met the criteria. The last 7 years have been a period of rapid growth in the field, with 2022 having the highest number of articles. The United States is the core country with the highest production and citation rate. The most cited literature was written in 2003 by Van Loey NE et al. Van Loey NE is the most prolific and influential author in this field. The top five popular keywords include "quality of life", "depression", "management", "anxiety", and "prevalence". The paper concludes that the current focus of scholars in the field is on the treatment of scars and that multidisciplinary treatment of such patients is worth exploring. These findings provide relevant researchers with the current state of research and possible future directions in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundIn a short time, the COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a huge impact on many aspects of people’s lives with a number of consequences, an increase in the risks of psychological diseases being one of them. The aim of this experimental study, based on an eighteen-month follow-up survey, is to assess the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, changes in stress, anxiety and depression levels, and the risks of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).MethodsA follow-up survey was performed on a sample of 184 Italian individuals to collect relevant information about the psychological impact of COVID-19. Predictors of the components of the psychological impact were calculated based on the ANCOVA model.ResultsThe analysis of the online questionnaires led to the conclusion that a high percentage of the participants suffer from levels of stress, anxiety and depression higher than normal as well as an increased risk of PTSD. The severity of such disorders significantly depends on gender, the loss of family members or acquaintances due to the pandemic, the amount of time spent searching for COVID-19 related information, the type of information sources and, in part, on the level of education and income. The time factor had a more severe effect on the low-income population.ConclusionCOVID-19 has entailed a very strong psychological impact on the Italian population also depending on the coping strategies adopted, the level of mindful awareness, socio-demographic variables, people’s habits and the way individuals use the available means of communication and information.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common genetic kidney disease. It is characterized by the formation of cysts in kidneys. This condition has a significant impact on people’s lives. It causes not only physical suffering but also psychological suffering. People with ADPKD may experience psychological distress, depending on their personal and health conditions. The inability to accept or adapt to the disease and its resulting changes causes individuals difficulties that appear in different levels of their lives: intrapersonal, interpersonal, social, and occupational. In the context of ADPKD, the psychologist is involved both at clinical and research levels. The psychologist has a crucial role in supporting patients by assessing how they react to the disease, to its related limitations, and to the resulting disabilities. The proposal of psychological support, considered as an intervention instrument, is helpful both at the diagnostic stage and in follow-up, as the disease worsens. The support aims to encourage acceptance and adaptation to the disease, process changes, and physical and mental consequences.

Background: Health-care workers' psychological status is essential to Preventive control measures in a weak and unstable health system with poor infrastructural constraints. This study examines the psychological impact of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the health-care providers working in primary health-care settings in Sudan. Materials and Methods: This is a health facility–based cross-sectional study conducted in primary health-care units in White Nile State, Sudan. The psychological impact of stress and anxiety was determined using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21). A self-administered questionnaire measured depression, anxiety, and stress. The population of this study included health professionals working in health centers, including physicians, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and other support staff. Results: A total of 167 health professionals were systematically recruited. The mean anxiety score in the study population was 8.26 & 9.0 (corresponding to mild anxiety). Participants without anxiety constituted 26.35% (n = 44) of the participants. Women were significantly more likely to be affected than men (P = 0.0). Age (21–40 years), female nurses, and other health-care workers (anesthesiology, public health, health education, occupational health, psychiatry, etc.) could be strong predictors of psychological disorders (P-value of 0.0). Conclusion: This study provided evidence for primary health care at its preparatory levels, as they are the first line of protection against the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing the high-risk population is a high priority in the preliminary phase.

Introduction: Medical students tend to reduce their sleep in an effort to cope with their workload and stressful environment. This results in unhealthy lifestyles among students, which may lead to changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Fat Percentage (BF%). Thus, there is a need to investigate the stress level and sleep quality among medical students and their relationship with BMI and body fat. Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the perceived stress level and sleep quality in medical students and to correlate the stress and sleep quality with BMI and body fat. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Government Medical College, Jammu from November 2019 to October 2020 using stratified random sampling. A total of 200 medical students, aged 17-25, were recruited for this study. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to assess sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and stress level using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 21.0. Categorical variables were analysed using the Chi-square test, and Pearson correlation was used to find correlations among the variables. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of the total 200 medical students, 116 (58%) had a PSQI score of 7. The PSS score showed moderate stress (14-26) in 138 (69%) students, low stress (0-13) in 32 (16%) students, and high stress level (27-40) in 30 (15%) students. A statistically significant correlation was observed between PSS and PSQI (p-value=0.001). However, there was no statistically significant correlation observed between PSQI and PSS with BMI and body fat. Conclusion: While a notable correlation was observed between perceived stress and sleep quality, the impact of sleep quality and stress levels on BMI and BF% appears to be insignificant. Therefore, it is important to understand the impact of stress on sleep quality, particularly among medical students. There is a need for interventions and support systems aimed at managing stress and promoting better sleep hygiene to improve overall well-being.

Migraine is a prevalent disorder imposing a great, pervasive burden on the bearer’s life. However, research is lacking on the individual and family impact of migraines. This study aims to adapt and validate a Portuguese version of the Impact of Migraine on Partners and Adolescent Children (IMPAC) scale, analyzing its psychometric properties. Four hundred eighty six individuals with migraines answered an online questionnaire, also containing a health-related quality of life measure – SF-12. The IMPAC-P presented good psychometric properties and fit of the theoretical model with three underlying factors – Activity Limitations, Partner Interaction, and Children Interaction. The impact of migraines was higher in women, single or widowed individuals, and those aged 21 to 40, exhibiting a significant and negative correlation with SF-12. The IMPAC-P is a brief, valid, reliable, and sensitive tool for assessing the impact of migraines on the bearer’s life and family in both clinical and research contexts.

The COVID-19 lockdown has had a significant impact on mental health. Patients with eating disorders (ED) have been particularly vulnerable. (1) To explore changes in eating-related symptoms and general psychopathology during lockdown in patients with an ED from various European and Asian countries; and (2) to assess differences related to diagnostic ED subtypes, age, and geography. The sample comprised 829 participants, diagnosed with an ED according to DSM-5 criteria from specialized ED units in Europe and Asia. Participants were assessed using the COVID-19 Isolation Scale (CIES). Patients with binge eating disorder (BED) experienced the highest impact on weight and ED symptoms in comparison with other ED subtypes during lockdown, whereas individuals with other specified feeding and eating disorders (OFSED) had greater deterioration in general psychological functioning than subjects with other ED subtypes. Finally, Asian and younger individuals appeared to be more resilient. The psychopathological changes in ED patients during the COVID-19 lockdown varied by cultural context and individual variation in age and ED diagnosis. Clinical services may need to target preventive measures and adapt therapeutic approaches for the most vulnerable patients.

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate the factors associated with the level of rumination about the war among people living in Poland and Ukraine. This cross‐sectional study recruited internet users from advertisements on social media. Levels of rumination, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), Impact of Event Scale‐Revised (IES‐R), time spent on news of the war, and related demographic variables were collected. The reliability and construct validity of rumination were estimated. Potential factors associated with the level of rumination were identified using univariate linear regression analysis, and further entered into a stepwise multivariate linear regression model to identify independent factors. Due to the non‐normality of distribution, multivariate linear regression with 5000 bootstrap samples was used to verify the results. A total of 1438 participants were included in the analysis, of whom 1053 lived in Poland and 385 lived in Ukraine. The questionnaires on rumination were verified to have satisfactory reliability and validity. After analysis with stepwise and bootstrap regression, older age, female gender, higher DASS and IES‐R scores, and longer time spent on news of the war were significantly associated with higher levels of rumination for both people living in Poland and Ukraine. Lower self‐rated health status, history of chronic medical illness and coronavirus disease 2019 infection were also positively associated with rumination for people living in Poland. We identified several factors associated with the level of rumination about the Russo‐Ukrainian War. Further investigations are warranted to understand how rumination affects individuals’ lives during crises such as war.

Abstract Background Increased psychological pressure on oral healthcare professionals (OHP) due to COVID-19 has been shown, yet little is known about the long-term psychological impacts. We aimed to study the psychological impact of COVID-19 and associated factors including perceived risk and preparedness and vaccination status among OHP in the first year after the lockdown period in Norway. Methods A structured questionnaire sent electronically to dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants inquired experiences and perceptions during the second year following the outbreak in Norway. The questionnaire comprised a COVID-19 fear scale and questions about risk perception, preparedness and vaccination status. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were used to assess psychological impact, perception of risk and preparedness according to vaccination status of the respondents. Results The majority of the 708 respondents were female (92.8%), had ten or more years of work experience (67.1%), and worked in public dental clinics (95.9%). Fears and concerns related to COVID-19 were common, 72.6% feared getting infected and 85.4% feared infecting others. Of the 642 respondents who agreed that their workplaces handled the situation well, 55.6% were fully vaccinated. Three factors were retrieved from EFA: Insecurity, Instability and Infection. SEM showed that females were more concerned with Infection, and respondents with long clinical experience were less likely to express fear about Instability. Fully vaccinated individuals felt more insecure about becoming infected, and those agreeing that their workplaces handled the current situation well were concerned with Insecurity. Conclusions Despite widespread perception of adequate preparedness and high vaccine coverage, a considerable psychological impact and high levels of fear of COVID-19 were observed among the majority of OHP. Fully vaccinated individuals had a larger psychological burden than not fully vaccinated and those with unknown vaccination status. These findings can inform means and interventions to reduce negative impacts of fear in populations with a high psychological burden.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors on students of health sciences courses. Method: The population of the study consisted of students from all universities providing associate and undergraduate education in the field of health in Turkey. The sample of the research consists of 520 students. The research data were collected online using a descriptive characteristics form, the Impact of Events Scale (IES), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Spearman Correlation analysis were used to evaluate the data. Findings: According to the findings, the mean scores of women whose families had indifferent attitudes and those with psychiatric disorders were significantly higher (p

This paper explores the potential impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on patients' psychological states, focusing on reported mood changes post-procedure. Factors influencing the psychological state during an MRI, including claustrophobia, noise, scan duration, and fear of the unknown, are discussed. We also draw parallels with darkness therapy, a stress and depression management technique, due to the similar environment. Notably, a subset of patients reported transient improvement in depressive symptoms following an MRI, suggesting a need for further research. The paper underscores the necessity for rigorous scientific exploration of these observations to validate them and better inform patients about possible mood alterations post-MRI.

Introduction: This study aimed to analyze and report findings from the sessions conducted with healthcare workers during the early phase of COVID-19 pandemic. Method: The study sample consisted of 130 healthcare workers who have consecutively reached out to nationwide psychosocial support line within the first ten days of COVID-19 pandemic and had a 30-minute video session and received psychological first aid and were evaluated using a socio-demographic data form. Mental state severity and progress were assessed using CGI (clinical global impressions) at the first and follow-up interviews. Results: 90.4% of the applicants were female, 50.4% were nurses, 34.4% were doctors, 68.8% were frontline workers, whereas second-line healthcare workers had significantly higher rates of psychiatric illness history. Contracting the virus (n=83, 66.4%), infecting others (n=72, 57.6%) were the situations that caused the highest level of anxiety. Most common psychiatric complaints were anxiety (n=107, 85.6%), restlessness (n=80, 64%), fear (n=72, 64.0%) and insomnia (n=68, 57.6%). A second session was conducted with 36.8% (n=46) of the callers, and it was detected that 93.48% (n=43) of them were able to manage their stress and 33 of them reported that the severity of their complaints decreased. Conclusion: Our findings have shown that healthcare workers were significantly affected in the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic with a significant level of anxiety and insomnia symptoms. Healthcare workers with a history of psychiatric illness should be considered as a vulnerable group regardless of their position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic pediatric disease has a major impact on the life of a child and his or her family. In this sense, the figure of the main caregiver is relevant, who may present adjustment difficulties before the disease, accompanied by high levels of stress and emotional discomfort, which interfere with the adolescent's adjustment before the new situation. The aim of this research was to carry out a comparative study among caregivers of adolescents with various diseases, analyzing the risk and protective factors for the stress presented by this population. For this purpose, a sample of 406 main caregivers of adolescents with an endocrinological or pneumological disease from different hospitals in Valencia was used, where characteristics related to the disease, attachment, type of family, and emotional distress of these caregivers were considered. In general, the results show higher levels of stress in caregivers of adolescents with an endocrinological disease, specifically DM1, and found significant predictors of anxiety-depressive symptomatology, the need for approval, and several variables related to the disease. These data reveal the importance of providing comprehensive care to the family system, offering health skills to overcome diseases, and reinforcing the protective factors offered by the family system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of FACSalud is the property of Revista FACSalud and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Surgical nurses face the risk of psychological problems while trying to cope with the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: This study aimed to determine levels of COVID-19-related fear and burnout and affecting factors in surgical nurses. Design: The study has a descriptive, cross-sectional design. Methods: The study sample included 321 nurses working in surgical units and operation rooms in Turkey. Data were gathered with a sociodemographic and occupational characteristics form, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and the COVID-19 Burnout Scale through a Google form between 1 August and 15 October in 2021. Obtained data were analyzed with independent groups t-test, One-Way ANOVA and simple and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: The nurses had moderate levels of fear (20.00 ± 6.77; Min–Max: 7–35) and burnout (29.52 ± 10.03; Min–Max:10–50) due to COVID-19. The female gender and belief in health staff shortage were predictive of fear and burnout related to COVID-19. Age was not predictive of COVID-19 fear and receiving education about COVID-19, exposure to violence, having adequate supplies of goggles/face shields and having a limited number of aprons/work wear were not predictive of COVID-19-related burnout. Fear of COVID-19 was predictive of COVID-19 burnout. Conclusions: Female nurses and nurses believing in health staff shortage had higher levels of fear and burnout due to COVID-19. As COVID-19 fear increased, so did COVID-19 burnout. Nurses working in surgical units should be provided with education about coping strategies taking account of the factors affecting COVID-19-related fear and burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry & Psychology (CTJPP) / Kıbrıs Türk Psikiyatri ve Psikoloji Dergisi is the property of Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry & Psychology (CTJPP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Migraine is a prevalent disorder imposing a great, pervasive burden on the bearer's life. However, research is lacking on the individual and family impact of migraines. This study aims to adapt and validate a Portuguese version of the Impact of Migraine on Partners and Adolescent Children (IMPAC) scale, analyzing its psychometric properties. Four hundred eighty six individuals with migraines answered an online questionnaire, also containing a health-related quality of life measure -- SF-12. The IMPAC-P presented good psychometric properties and fit of the theoretical model with three underlying factors -- Activity Limitations, Partner Interaction, and Children Interaction. The impact of migraines was higher in women, single or widowed individuals, and those aged 21 to 40, exhibiting a significant and negative correlation with SF-12. The IMPAC-P is a brief, valid, reliable, and sensitive tool for assessing the impact of migraines on the bearer's life and family in both clinical and research contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pregnancy is the most crucial phase of a woman's life in which she experiences many physical and psychological changes. Women will experience some level of stress and anxiety during this period mainly due to focus on the baby's health, fear of birthing experience, and adverse obstetric outcomes. Pregnant women are one of the vulnerable populations to psychological impact during this period of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Aim: To assess the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated sociodemographic factors among pregnant women attending prenatal clinics and delivering at the University Professorial Unit - Teaching Hospital Jaffna. Methodology: It was a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study on the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among pregnant women, conducted at Teaching Hospital Jaffna from July 2021 to July 2022 among 268 pregnant women attending the prenatal clinic and delivering at Teaching Hospital Jaffna. Results: The study included 217 participants, and the response rate was 80.97%. The majority of the participants (64.5%) fell in the age category of 20-30 years, most of the participants (99%) were Sri Lankan Tamils in ethnicity, and 77.4% were Hindus. Nearly half of the participants (47.5%) completed their General Certificate of Education O level (GCE O/L), and most (81.1%) of them were unemployed. About half of the participants had psychological impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic and were concerned about their prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care. Among them, more than three-quarters (77%) of them had anxiety about their prenatal care, about 61% of them had anxiety about labor and intrapartum care; only 46.1% had anxiety about postnatal care. The present study shows that age and educational level are statistically significant (p < 0.05) factors influencing psychological impact among mothers regarding prenatal care. Educational levels also had a statistically significant (p < 0.05) influence on the psychological impact regarding labor and intrapartum care as well as postnatal care among mothers. Conclusion: There is a psychological impact on pregnant women due to COVID-19 regarding their pregnancy care. Hence, it is vital to give attention to the mental status of pregnant women, especially during pandemic situations like COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health-care workers' psychological status is essential to Preventive control measures in a weak and unstable health system with poor infrastructural constraints. This study examines the psychological impact of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the health-care providers working in primary health-care settings in Sudan. Materials and Methods: This is a health facility–based cross-sectional study conducted in primary health-care units in White Nile State, Sudan. The psychological impact of stress and anxiety was determined using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21). A self-administered questionnaire measured depression, anxiety, and stress. The population of this study included health professionals working in health centers, including physicians, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and other support staff. Results: A total of 167 health professionals were systematically recruited. The mean anxiety score in the study population was 8.26 & 9.0 (corresponding to mild anxiety). Participants without anxiety constituted 26.35% (n = 44) of the participants. Women were significantly more likely to be affected than men (P = 0.0). Age (21–40 years), female nurses, and other health-care workers (anesthesiology, public health, health education, occupational health, psychiatry, etc.) could be strong predictors of psychological disorders (P-value of 0.0). Conclusion: This study provided evidence for primary health care at its preparatory levels, as they are the first line of protection against the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing the high-risk population is a high priority in the preliminary phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores experiences of pastoral staff, working in social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) special secondary schools, regarding the psychological impact of their work. To date, attention has been given to the educational experiences of pupils attending SEMH schools and teachers working with pupils with SEMH needs in mainstream schools. Whilst these studies provide insight into the experiences of pupils and teachers, they do not explore the experiences of those occupying pastoral roles in SEMH schools. Using narrative research, five participants, recruited from schools in the Northwest of England, took part in interviews, conducted via video conferencing. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis adopted a two-stage approach. The first stage focused on each individual narrative, preserving it as a whole story, the second involved analysis across the five narratives. Both stages used Fraser’s (2004) seven stage approach, enabling long sections of narrative to be broken down into themes, whilst preserving the nuances within and across narratives. The first stage of analysis identified numerous themes specific to each participant, the second stage, the focus for this paper, identified two common themes across the narratives: ‘It’s a struggle,’ ‘and ‘My emotionally dirty work’. This is the first study to explore the psychological impact of working in SEMH secondary schools, from the perspective of pastoral staff. Findings have policy and practice implications; defining professional standards, appropriate training, and tailored supervision. An ‘ethos of care’ within SEMH schools could mitigate against the impact of struggles and work perceived as emotionally dirty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the psychological impact of maxillectomy and prosthodontic rehabilitation and to assess the role of various sociodemographic and disease-related variables on the psychological distress of patients. Materials and Methods: Thirty-nine patients who were referred for prosthodontic rehabilitation after maxillectomy were enrolled, of whom 36 completed the study. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess and compare the psychological distress level after maxillectomy (T0) and 3 weeks after insertion of a definitive obturator (T1). The Obturator Functioning Scale was also used to assess the functioning of the obturator prosthesis. The means of anxiety and depression scores were also compared among different variables using one-way ANOVA. A probability level of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Anxiety and depression scores were significantly reduced at T1 compared to T0 (P < 0.001). The patients reported little or no difficulty with the obturator prosthesis. Among the sociodemographic variables, psychological distress was not affected by the patient's age or marital status at any time point (P > 0.05); however, the female, illiterate, and unemployed patients had significantly higher HADS scores compared to the male, graduate, and employed patients (P < 0.05). Malignant tumors and large postsurgical defects had a significant impact on psychological distress compared to benign tumors and small defects (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Maxillectomy had a profound psychological impact. Prosthodontic rehabilitation after maxillectomy restored function and esthetics to near normalcy, and this helps to cope with psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the emergence of Corona virus outbreak, it has become a global health threat and till July 22, 2020. More than 15 million cases of COVID-19 have been documented worldwide and healthcare workers could account for 10–20% of all diagnoses which has aroused fear among them (Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, 2020). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 among frontline healthcare workers and factors that contribute to it. The sample consisted of 80 healthcare workers divided into two groups; Group-I comprised of 40 healthcare workers working in corona ward, and Group-II consisted of 40 healthcare workers working in the orthopedic or maternity ward. The sample was taken from government hospitals of Lahore through purposive sampling. They were administered fear of COVID-19 scale (Ahorsu et al., 2022), Generalized Anxiety Scale (Spitzer et al., 2006) and Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1983). A mixed research design was used and the results revealed that psychological impact (fear of corona, stress and anxiety symptoms) among the healthcare workers working in corona ward was more as compared to those working in orthopedic or maternity ward. The findings of qualitative phase showed that factors of increased working hour’s fear of transmitting the virus to family members, nature of the virus and insufficient personal safety equipment contributed to the psychological impact (fear of corona, stress and anxiety symptoms) in healthcare workers. The study has implications for health and well-being of health care professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Facial appearance has been a flagbearer of “beauty” since time immemorial. Perception of beauty is highly influenced by cultural, interpersonal, and intra-personal variations. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the perception of facial beauty and appearance through multidimensional influencing indicators among the Indian population, and to determine whether the physically attractive person possesses more personal and socially desirable traits than the comparatively less attractive individual. Materials and Methods: A study population of 474 with equal male and female population of Indian origin was selected. Their perception was assessed based on the prevalidated, self-administered questionnaire using a tool with five major multidimensional indicators. Six images were selected, three each of male and female subjects, and labeled as A, B, and C, in descending order of attractiveness. The multidimensional influencing indicator tool was self-administered to the participants and the responses were recorded individually. Results: Photograph A scored the highest out of the three grading scales in both males and females. Conclusion: The most attractive photograph, in both males and females, was deemed to be associated with higher scores of attractiveness and success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to understand the expressions of fear in the journeys of health professionals who worked in the confrontation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), in the city of Manaus, in the Brazilian Western Amazon. This is an exploratory qualitative study that adopts interpretive description as a method to generate informed knowledge responsive to the needs of the practice. We included 56 participants, comprising 23 health managers and 33 health workers (middle and higher level) of different professional categories. The results revealed three circles of experience: (1) knowledge and professional experience in dealing with the disease (unknown–known–experienced); (2) the growing proximity to death and loss (predicted–witnessed–suffered); and (3) the involvement and proximity to whatever affects the individual, their emotions, and personal transformations in the face of the threat (the collective, the neighbor, and oneself). Our results suggest that health professionals who worked during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Manaus experienced insecurity, dread, and fear, illustrating the complexity of developing their activities in the front line of care and management during the different phases of the pandemic. A contribution of the study is precisely that of capturing this complexity, which suggests the impossibility of analyzing fear only in its simple manifestation, or in each circle of experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: COVID-19 has led to an increase in burden on health-care workers. Postgraduate residents are at the forefront of the pandemic. Understanding its impact and the perspectives of postgraduate residents could provide better solutions to their problems. Objectives: 1. To assess the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on postgraduate doctors. 2. To assess the perception of postgraduate doctors regarding the medical profession and its association to the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: This cross-sectional study recruited 65 postgraduate medical resident doctors working in teaching hospitals involved in the care of COVID-19 patients. They were requested to complete the questionnaire consisting of qualitative as well as quantitative questions. For an objective assessment of anxiety, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale was used. Relevant statistical methods were employed and statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS software version 20.0. Results: The qualitative data showed themes of concern regarding social awareness about COVID-19 (hygiene, masks, and social distancing), working conditions of doctors, and increased stress and burnout. 47.54% (n = 29) of respondents said that they would reconsider their profession/specialty, out of which 21 said that they would switch to another profession. The resident doctors who would reconsider their choice of profession/specialty had significantly higher (P < 0.05) scores for anxiety (GAD-7). Conclusion: Owing to the significant association between anxiety and desire to change their profession altogether, greater psychological support for doctors appears to be a pressing need. It is important that the concerns of the postgraduate residents are addressed promptly and holistically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Medical students tend to reduce their sleep in an effort to cope with their workload and stressful environment. This results in unhealthy lifestyles among students, which may lead to changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Fat Percentage (BF%). Thus, there is a need to investigate the stress level and sleep quality among medical students and their relationship with BMI and body fat. Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the perceived stress level and sleep quality in medical students and to correlate the stress and sleep quality with BMI and body fat. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Government Medical College, Jammu from November 2019 to October 2020 using stratified random sampling. A total of 200 medical students, aged 17-25, were recruited for this study. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to assess sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and stress level using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 21.0. Categorical variables were analysed using the Chi-square test, and Pearson correlation was used to find correlations among the variables. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of the total 200 medical students, 116 (58%) had a PSQI score of <5, 62 (31%) had a score in the range of 5-7, and 22 (11%) had a score >7. The PSS score showed moderate stress (14-26) in 138 (69%) students, low stress (0-13) in 32 (16%) students, and high stress level (27-40) in 30 (15%) students. A statistically significant correlation was observed between PSS and PSQI (p-value=0.001). However, there was no statistically significant correlation observed between PSQI and PSS with BMI and body fat. Conclusion: While a notable correlation was observed between perceived stress and sleep quality, the impact of sleep quality and stress levels on BMI and BF% appears to be insignificant. Therefore, it is important to understand the impact of stress on sleep quality, particularly among medical students. There is a need for interventions and support systems aimed at managing stress and promoting better sleep hygiene to improve overall well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated profound psychosocial disturbances and shifts in consumer behavior due to stress, uncertainty, and imposed social distancing measures. Consequently, an investigation was conducted to elucidate the pandemic's impact and inform potential mitigation strategies. A comprehensive online survey was undertaken, involving 239 participants, focusing primarily on vulnerable groups prone to developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, such as children, college students, and healthcare workers. In addition, a logistic regression and multiple regression analyses were employed to examine the pandemic's influence on consumer spending behaviors across 12 sectors. Changes in spending constraints were evaluated using a t-test. Results indicated an increased likelihood of PTSD, anxiety, and depression among children, college students, and healthcare workers due to pandemic exposure. Furthermore, five dominant factors were found to significantly influence consumer behavior: availability of essentials, financial security, health concerns, public sentiment, and quality of purchasable goods. This study proposes that, during a pandemic, businesses should adapt their strategies in accordance with changing consumer behaviors to gain valuable market insight, boost sales, and accelerate the introduction of new products to the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a global public health problem affecting mental health, and basic data are required for evidence-based mental health interventions. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of psychological impacts, anxiety, depression, stress, and any associated risk factors in individuals living in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: The population of this descriptive study consisted of individuals over the age of 18 living in Turkey. The data were collected between July–September 2020 using the snowball sampling method. The study was completed with 1733 participants. The data were collected using the Impact of Events Scale-Revised and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. Statistical analyses included percentage, mean, standard deviation, a Chi-square test, a Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis and Tamhane's T2 post hoc, and Spearman's correlation. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 45.1% had moderate or severe psychological effects; 42.7% had a moderate or severe depression, 31.7% had moderate or severe anxiety, and 28.5% had moderate or severe stress levels. Being a woman, being single, unemployment, smoking, the presence of chronic diseases, being young (

The aim of this qualitative research, conducted in Spring 2021, was to identify the inconveniences and the psychological and social impact of 10 days of home isolation, required by law, in non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Greece and to improve management. Thirty-seven semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis identified four key emergent themes, i.e., everyday life during self-isolation, psychological issues, social issues, and information and guidance. Food provisioning was of particular concern. Solidarity was expressed to individuals in need. Isolation was not always viable due to space constraints and the necessity to care for sick family members. Fear of transmission to vulnerable groups, hospitalisation, irreversible complications, and death as well as anxiety, insecurity, guilt, and alienation were articulated. COVID-19 disrupted the normal functioning of families and led to revision of interpersonal relationships. Patients avoided re-integration in society due to the transmitter stigma and to limit the risk of infection spread in the community. Over-information promoted fear. Mild illness raised doubts about information validity. Primary care provided monitoring and psychological support. Home isolation caused disruption in various aspects of participants’ life, ranging from logistic problems to dealing with the psychological burden of isolation and illness. Primary care could play a central role in supporting patients.

Abstract Background Contact tracing is a key control measure in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While quantitative research has been conducted on the psychological impact of the pandemic on other frontline healthcare workers, none has explored the impact on contact tracing staff. Methods A longitudinal study was conducted using two repeated measures with contact tracing staff employed in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic using two-tailed independent samples t tests and exploratory linear mixed models. Results The study sample included 137 contact tracers in March 2021 (T1) and 218 in September 2021 (T3). There was an increase from T1 to T3 in burnout related exhaustion (p

The development of information and communication technology has led teenagers to use gadgets and the internet for prolonged periods of time. Besides being used as a means of entertainment and communication, teenagers nowadays tend to search for health information through the internet. However, some people are anxious about their health condition and begin to diagnose themselves or seek certainty on the internet. Excessive searching for health information on the internet can lead to cyberchondria, which is associated with fear and anxiety. To support these efforts, this study aims to analyze the psychological impact of cyberchondria on teenagers. The methodology employed in this study was a literature review that involved five stages: gathering literature, selecting relevant materials, evaluating the literature, drawing conclusions, and discussing the research results, using a total of 12 relevant articles. The results showed that the psychological impact of cyberchondria on teenagers consisted of cognitive, affective, and conative effects. Moreover, cyberchondria can also cause non-specific somatic complaints in teenagers. The findings of this study can serve as a reference for future researchers interested in the topic of cyberchondria

Abstract Background COVID-19 affected the world threatening medical, social, economic and community dimensions. Along with the other countries of the world, Saudi Arabia also witnessed critical emergencies leading to serious disaster due mainly to the overcrowding at certain urban residential localities. Nevertheless, the situation handled meticulously not only with measures and combating strategies but also with documentations and researches to build sustainable confrontation systems and lateral programs. Main body of abstract This attempt is a consolidation of the academic efforts on COVID-19 in the country aiming to contribute to the knowledge base aiding to future planning on preparedness. An online survey of published academic research from peer reviewed journals were carried out during August-December 2022, using COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia as search criteria. Many areas of concern are assessed in the context which are classified into spread and burden, patient statistics, symptoms and other clinical dimensions, vaccinations and vaccine acceptance/hesitance, psychosocial impact, impact on education, impact on health staff, impact on migration, impact on nutrition, and control measures adopted. Short conclusions A consolidation of these research findings explains the scientific academic community alertness in raising up to the emergency pandemic situation, which facilitated strategy and policy formulations by the Government ministries and other governing bodies. These researches are linked to stagewise programmatic efforts to curtail the epidemic as a mode of accomplishments.

The environment’s psychological impacts on humans have been long studied, but many questions remain unanswered. We conducted a micro-scale study to examine the relationships among the objective characteristics of urban environmental settings, people’s subjective perception of such settings, and the related psychological responses. We employed a geo-enabled survey tool to gather data on individuals’ perceptions of the immediate environment within their daily activity space. The psychological processes assessed included emotional and affective states such as perceived stress and happiness. The data points were mapped on a high-resolution aerial image, which was classified to derive quantitative properties to examine the dose-response relationship between environmental exposure and psychological responses. Our results showed negative correlations between the momentary stress level and the amount of environmental elements such as water, trees, and grass. Positive correlations were detected between stress level and the amount of parking lot and barren land, as well as the distance to buildings. In terms of perceived happiness, positive environmental factors included water, trees, and artificial surfaces, with all other elements having negative correlations. Most of the correlations examined were not strong correlations. This could be due to the significant differences in how individuals respond to environmental stimuli.

This paper explores the potential impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on patients' psychological states, focusing on reported mood changes post-procedure. Factors influencing the psychological state during an MRI, including claustrophobia, noise, scan duration, and fear of the unknown, are discussed. We also draw parallels with darkness therapy, a stress and depression management technique, due to the similar environment. Notably, a subset of patients reported transient improvement in depressive symptoms following an MRI, suggesting a need for further research. The paper underscores the necessity for rigorous scientific exploration of these observations to validate them and better inform patients about possible mood alterations post-MRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]