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Introduction Dysfunctional breathing is a pattern of respiratory movements that do not correspond to the physiological needs of the body and can lead to a series of respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, sensory and neurological symptoms ( Vidotto et al., 2019). The causes of dysfunctional breathing are a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. Objectives To examine the relationship between anxiety and occurrence of dysfunctional breathing in the Russian population under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We used a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Naimigen questionnaire (Van Dixhorn, Duivenvoordent, 1985), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger et al., 1983). The study was conducted online from April 27 to December 28, 2020. It was attended by 1,362 people from all regions of Russia, including 1,153 women and 209 men aged 15 to 88 years (38.3 ±11.4) Results It was revealed that with a low level of state anxiety (< 35 points), dysfunctional breathing was detected in 4.8% of respondents; while with a borderline level of anxiety (> 60 points) there were at 55.9%. A similar dependence was found for personal anxiety: at a low level (< 35 points), dysfunctional breathing was detected in only 4% of respondents;while at a borderline level of anxiety (> 60 points) at 62.8%. Conclusions Dysfunctional breathing can occur among people with high and borderline levels of situational and personal anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results allows us to conclude that dysfunctional breathing and anxiety are not equivalent concepts, although they have a common phenomenological field. The study was supported of the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624. Disclosure The study was supported of the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

Introduction Dysfunctional breathing is a breathing patterns that do not correspond to the physiological needs of the body, provoke many poly-systemic symptoms. Dysfunctional breathing is experienced as a feeling of “difficulty in breathing”, which in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic may be similar to the symptoms of coronavirus infection (Taverne et al., 2021). Objectives To examine the role of socio-demographic predictors in the prevalence of dysfunctional breathing in the Russian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The author’s socio-demographic questionnaire, the Naimigen Questionnaire (Van Dixhoorn, Duivenvoordent, 1985), the STAI (Spielberger et al., 1983) and the “Perceived Stress Scale-10” (Cohen,Kamarck,Mermelstein,1983) were used. The study was conducted online from April 27 to December 28, 2020. It was attended by 1,362 people from all regions of Russia (38.3 ±11.4 y.o.). Results In men, the average values for NQ (11.19±7.74) are lower than among women (18.73±9.96, p=0.000). Persons with incomplete higher education have a higher score on NQ (N=103,NQ=20.44±11.8) than persons with higher education (N=1051,NQ= 17.40±9.63,p=0.048) and candidates/doctors of sciences (N=97,NQ= 15.34±11.20,p=0.005). There was also a connection between the severity of dysfunctional breathing and the level of income, which is associated with a negative correlation between income level and perception of stress (r=-0.215,p=0.000), state (r=-0.165,p=0.000) and trait anxiety (r=-0.127,p=0.000). Conclusions The severity of dysfunctional breathing is associated with gender, income levels and education, what can be used to identify a group of people who are most susceptible to the occurrence of dysfunctional breathing during the pandemic COVID-19. The study was supported of the Russian Science Foundation, project No.21-18-00624. Disclosure The study was supported of the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

Introduction Dysfunctional breathing is experienced as “difficulty in inhaling” and is similar to the symptoms of COVID-19 (Gavriatopoulou et al., 2020), which justifies the relevance of studying this phenomenon in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives To identifiy a relationship between self-management styles and the severity of dysfunctional breathing in the uninfected COVID-19 population of Russia. Methods The author used the socio-demographic questionnaire, the Naimigen Questionnaire (Van Dixhoorn, Duivenvoordent, 1985) and J. Kuhl’s and A. Fuhrman’s Self-Government Test (Kool, Furman, 1998; Kul, Kvirin, Kool, 2020). The study was conducted online from April 27 to December 28, 2020. It was attended by 1,362 people from all regions of Russia (38.3 ±11.4y.o.). Results The components are Self-regulation (r = -0.454, p = 0.000) and Self-Control (r =-0.197, p=0.000). There is also a component of Will Development (r=-0,297, p = 0,000) and Sensitivity to oneself (r=-0,480, p=0,000). It is important to note that dysfunctional breathing has a strong positive correlation with the component of life stress experiencing (=0.335, p=0.000). At the same time, the components of Self-regulation and Self-sensitivity have large correlation coefficients, which indicates their greater role. Conclusions People with low self-regulation and self-control, as well as with less expressed will and sensitivity to themselves, are more likely to have dysfunctional breathing and a more pronounced experience of life stress in a pandemic. The described components can be used as “targets” for individualized psychotherapy of dysfunctional breathing in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was supported of the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624. Disclosure The study was carried out with the support of the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

Introduction The Naimigen questionnaire (Van Dixhoorn, Duivenvoordent, 1985) was developed in the 1980s to assess the severity of hyperventilation syndrome, which causes respiratory alkalosis and, as a result, polysystemic functional symptoms. Later, this questionnaire was recommended for use in the diagnosis of dysfunctional breathing. The COVID-19 pandemic provokes anxiety as a stressful event and objectifies the respiratory function, which becomes a favorable ground for the growth of the prevalence of dysfunctional breathing in society. Objectives To validate the Naimigen questionnaire in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Russian-speaking population. Methods The author’s socio-demographic questionnaire and the Naimigen Questionnaire (NQ) were used (Van Dixhoorn, Duivenvoordent, 1985). The study was conducted online from April 27 to December 28, 2020. It was attended by 1,362 people from all regions of Russia, including 1,153 women and 209 men aged 15 to 88 years (38.3 ±11.4). Results The stable reliability of the Alpha-Kronbach coefficients (> 0.877) was revealed for all NQ points. To check the factor structure of the Naimigen questionnaire, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis using the direct Oblimin criterion, which, when explaining 57.3% of the total variance, allowed us to identify 4 factors: respiratory symptoms, paresthesia and gastrointestinal symptoms, tension, derealization. Conclusions Checking the reliability and factor structure of the Naimigen questionnaire allows us to reasonably use this questionnaire on a Russian-language sample in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Disclosure: Research is supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624. Disclosure Research is supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

Introduction Dysfunctional breathing is experienced as a feeling of “difficulty in inhaling” and shortness of breat , which may be similar to the symptoms of coronavirus infection (Gavriatopoulou et al., 2020). The conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic create an increased level of anxiety and attention to respiratory sensations, which becomes a favorable ground for the occurrence of dysfunctional breathing. Objectives To examine the relationship of ideas about the pandemic with the occurrence of dysfunctional breathing in the Russian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The Naimigen Questionnaire (Van Dixhoorn, Duivenvoordent, 1985) and the author’s socio-demographic questionnaire were used, which included questions about personal experience of the pandemic. The study was conducted online from April 27 to December 28, 2020. It was attended by 1,362 people from all regions of Russia, including 1,153 women and 209 men aged 15 to 88 years (38.3±11.4). Results It was found that respondents who are more confident in the danger of coronavirus have more respiratory difficulties (N=517;NQ=19±10.6) compared to those who consider its danger exaggerated (N=454,NQ=15.9±9.2,p=0.000). Respondents who are completely convinced of the absence of a condemnation for COVID-19 disease have less pronounced dysfunctional breathing (N=331,NQ=15.26±9.5), compared to those who sure about it (N=88,NQ=19.16±10.05, p=0.007). Respondents who have relatives ill COVID-19 (N=430) have a higher score on NQ (18.6±10.5), compared with those dont have (N=932, NQ=17.1±9.7, p =0.011). Conclusions The dysfunctional breathing is associated with the respondents’ beliefs about the danger of coronavirus and the expectation of stigmatization in COVID-19 disease, as well as with the experience of COVID-19 disease among relatives. Disclosure Research is supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has become a situation of increased concern due to health threats and increased uncertainty. The risk of infection with the respiratory system coronavirus attracts increased attention to respiratory sensations. These two aspects can be beneficial grounds for the dysfunctional breathing-changes emergence in the breathing pattern that does not correspond to physiological needs. Objectives To study the prevalence of dysfunctional breathing associated with anxiety during the COVID – 19 pandemic in Russia. Methods The author’s socio-demographic questionnaire, the Naimigen Questionnaire, The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used. The survey was conducted online in May 2020. There were 582 participants (496 women&86 men) between the ages of 18 and 64. Results The severity of dysfunctional breathing significantly correlated with the height of personal anxiety (r=0.488,p=0.000). Women are more likely than men to have dysfunctional breathing (18.1±9.6vs11.6 ±7.9;p=0.000) and have more expressed personal anxiety(26±10.5vs19.8 ±9.7; p=0.000). The age of respondents has an inverse correlation with personal anxiety (r=-0.147,p= 0.000), but not with dysfunctional breathing. Respondents who consider coronavirus to be a very dangerous trend to have dysfunctional breathing more than those who believe that the danger of coronavirus is exaggerated(18.1±10vs15.9 ±8.9;p=0.052). Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of dysfunctional breathing increases in a wide range of the population, especially among women. Since one of the dysfunctional breathing symptoms is a feeling of “difficulty inhaling”, anxious people may interpret this as shortness of breath in COVID-19, which may motivate them to seek medical help, thereby artificially increasing the burden on the health system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conflict of interest No significant relationships.

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic situation creates specific conditions for increased anxiety and increased attention to respiratory sensations. This can become a favorable ground for the occurrence of dysfunctional breathing. Dysfunctional breathing is a pattern of breathing that does not meet physiological needs and can lead to respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive disorders and neurological dysfunctions (Chaitow et al.,2014) Objectives The aim of the study is to identify “personality predictors” for the occurrence of dysfunctional breathing in the Russian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The author’s socio-demographic questionnaire, the Naimigen Questionnaire (VanDixhoorn, Duivenvoordent, 1984), HEXACO-PI-R (Ashton, Lee, 2017; Egorova, Psrshikova, Mitina, 2019), and The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 1983; Leonova, 2013) were used. The study was conducted online from April 27 to May 27. 582 people from all regions of Russia attended it, including 496 women and 86 men aged 18 to 64 years. Results Dysfunctional breathing has a direct correlation with personal anxiety (r=0.543, p=0.000) and emotionality (r=0.370,p=0.000), as well as a negative correlation with the personality traits of Honesty/ Humility(r=-0.153, p=0.000), Extraversion (r=-0.247, p=0.000), Agreeableness (r=-0.226, p=0.000), and Conscientiousness (r=-0.128, p=0.002). Conclusions Thus, in the COVID-19 pandemic context, dysfunctional breathing was detected in people with increased trait anxiety and pronounced emotionality, as well as in people with hostility and low conscientiousness/organization, as well as in introverts and those who are inclined to demonstrate social status. The occurrence of dysfunctional breathing during a pandemic can be interpreted as a sign of coronavirus disease by those people, which can motivate them to seek medical help, and thus increase the burden on the healthcare system.

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lifestyle and psychological well-being of millions of people. Objectives The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of psychopathological symptoms in the Russian population in the COVID- 19 pandemic context. Methods We used a socio-demographic questionnaire (20 questions) and a Short Scale for Psychopathological Symptom Checklist (SCL -32) (Derogatis 1977; Mitina, Gorbunova, 2011). 582 Russian residents (496 women and 86 men) aged 18-64 years participated in the online survey in May 2020. Results Women were significantly more likely than men to have somatic dysfunctions (5.6±2.54vs4.8±1.9;p=0.001), interpersonal problems (6.97±2.9vs6.0±2.8; p=0.005), depression signs (6.9±3.2vs5.7±2.9;p=0.001) and anxiety disorders (6.8±2.8vs5.2 ±2.1;p=0.000), as well as sleep disorders (6.4±2.8vs5.9±2.1;p=0.049) and suicidal thoughts (4.2±1.8vs3.7±1.8;p=0.032). In addition, women are more hostile than men are (6.3±2.7 vs 5.1±2.3; p=0.000). Respondents under the age of 30 are more likely than older people to have interpersonal problems (p=0.286, p=0.000), as well as signs of depression (p=0.216, p=0.000), hostility (p=0.226, p=0.000) and psychoticism (p=0.203, p=0.000). Respondents’ low income is statistically associated with interpersonal problems (p=0.139,p=0.001), anxiety (p=0.131, p=0.002), hostility (p=0.156, p=0.000), psychoticism (p=0.137, p=0.001), and suicidal intentions (p=0.152,p=0.000). Among respondents whose relatives had COVID-19, signs of anxiety disorders (7.2±3vs3.5±2.9;p=0.027) and obsessive disorders (8.1±3.2 vs 7.3±2.6; p=0.029) were significantly more common than in the whole sample. Conclusions The study highlights socio-demographic factors of vulnerability to psychopathological symptoms in the COVID-19 pandemic context, which should be taken into account when organizing medical and psychological assistance to the population.

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has become a major challenge for both the overall health system and the individual ability for health professionals to stress coping. Objectives To find the link between the perception of danger from coronavirus and the severity of burnout syndrome in medical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia. Methods We used a socio-demographic questionnaire (20 questions), a Stress Perception Questionnaire (Linville, 1987; Ababkov et al., 2016), a Modified Pandemic Perception Questionnaire (Broadbent et al.,2006;Yaltonsky et al., 2017), and Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach et al., 1996; Lozinskaya et a. 2007). 249 medical workers (58 men and 191 women) took part in the online survey between April 27 and October 26 in Russia. Results The severity of stress is positively correlated with the perception of pandemic as threatening (r=0.532, p=0.000) and unknown disease (r=0.297, p=0.000). Stress severity also correlates with all burnout parameters: exhaustion (r=0.737, p=0.000), depersonalization (r=0.342, p=0.000), and belief in personal achievement (r=-0.417, p=0.000). The perception of pandemics as threatening events is significantly associated with exhaustionm (r=0.458, p=0.000), depersonalization (r=0.133, p= 0.036), and belief in personal achievement (r=-0.152, p=0.016).The feeling of uncertainty from the pandemic is statistically significantly associated with exhaustion (r=0.242, p=0.000), while the feeling of control over the pandemic is positively associated with belief in personal achievements (r=0.129, p=0.042) and negatively associated with exhaustion (r=-0.161, p=0.011) and depersonalization (r=-0.125, p=0.049). Conclusions Uncertainty and a sense of threat from the coronavirus and the pandemic are significant factors of stress and emotional burnout for health workers. To determine the interaction between parameters such as signs of burnout, perception of the COVID-19 pandemic and the severity of stress, further construction of a structural model is required.

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic and the need to fight it disrupt the balance between work and rest for health workers that can lead to a decrease in stress tolerance and emotional burnout appearance. The lifestyle and well-being of personal and family life can be both a “depletion” and a “resource” factor for health professionals when working under stressful conditions. Objectives To study the presence/absence and severity of burnout symptoms in medical professionals in the COVID-19 pandemic context; to investigate the interaction between burnout severity and overall stress levels, family well-being, and the presence of children. Methods The author’s socio-demographic questionnaire, Stress Perception Questionnaire (Linville, 1987), modified Pandemic Perception Questionnaire (Broadbent et al.,2006), Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach et al.^1996), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger et al., 1983) were used. The study was conducted online from April 27 to October 26. It involved 249 medical workers, including 58 men and 191 women. Results Health workers who have children show greater confidence in their professional competence(41.28±6.3vs39±7;p=0.007) and (at the trend level) have a lower level of exhaustion(34.53 ±9.2vs36.71±10.8;p=0.09) than their colleagues without children. Although health workers in both groups have approximately the same scores for perceived stress, however, those with children put less effort to counteract stress(9.31±2.5vs10.19±2.9;p=0.012). They describe the pandemic as less dangerous compared to colleagues who do not have children(15.4±5.7vs16.7±5.1;p=0.042). Conclusions Perhaps the very possibility of switching attention from a vitally dangerous topic to more positive aspects of life allows medical staff who have children to feel less exhausted and maintain faith in their own strength.

This research investigates the continuum between the dysfunction and the hyperfunction of breath regulation and presents the psychological mediation that supports or disrupts this regulation. The pilot study compared breathing regulation in patients with hyperventilation syndrome (HVS), free divers, and healthy volunteers. To examine the ability of voluntary respiration regulation, breath holding involving "easy-going" and "struggling" phases was used. Psychological mediation was assessed through (a) respiratory experience interviews, (b) anxiety levels, and (c) psycho-semantic techniques. Free divers have a bigger "positive breathing vocabulary" and can endure the conflict between the physiological need to inhale and the voluntary motivation to hold their breath for longer. The connection between emotions and negative breathing experience in patients with HVS leads to less breathing control., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.