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Tag: COVID-19

  • Three depressive symptom patterns linked to COVID-19 experiences

    What the study found

    The study identified three patterns of depressive symptoms in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: an overall low-level group, a lethargy and physical symptoms group, and an overall high-level group. The overall high-level group had the lowest post-traumatic growth, a term for positive psychological change after hardship.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that the predictors they identified may help prevent worsening depressive symptoms and support appropriate interventions. The study suggests that recognizing different symptom patterns, rather than relying only on average scores, may be useful.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers used latent profile analysis, a method that groups people by similar symptom patterns, to examine depressive symptoms and related factors. They analyzed questionnaire data from 2,110 adults aged 19 to 71 who completed the 5th COVID-19 National Mental Health Survey in March 2021.

    What worked and what didn't

    Three latent profiles were found: 59.9% were in the overall low-level group, 29.8% in the lethargy and physical symptoms group, and 10.3% in the overall high-level group. Younger age, personal physical and mental health problems, several COVID-19-related social and conflict experiences, fear of personal information disclosure, low stress from media coverage, and rows over liability or legal disputes were associated with being classified into the overall high-level group.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe the survey items in detail, so the exact meaning of some predictors is limited in the available summary. The study is based on one national survey conducted at a single time point in March 2021.

    • The study identified three depressive symptom profiles in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • The largest group was the overall low-level group, at 59.9%.
    • The overall high-level group had the lowest level of post-traumatic growth.
    • Younger age and several COVID-19-related stressors were associated with the overall high-level group.
    • The authors say the findings may help guide prevention and intervention strategies.

  • Women reported pandemic-related barriers and treatment needs in alcohol services

    What the study found

    The study found that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, women attending an alcohol use disorder service described increased mental health difficulties, heavier motherhood demands, and loss of social role as factors linked to drinking more. The authors also report that stigma, fear of social services, and a partner’s negative influence made it harder to seek treatment.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that a personalized and sensitive approach may help reduce stigma and fear of social services and improve engagement with services. They also suggest that earlier recognition of mental health problems and better collaboration between mental health and alcohol services might improve treatment engagement and reduce the impact on women and their families.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers compared demographic and clinical characteristics of all women attending an alcohol use disorder community service in England over a 6-month period with those of men. They also interviewed a subset of 10 women using semi-structured interviews, with triangulation criteria including age, parenthood, and childcare responsibilities.

    What worked and what didn't

    There were no demographic or clinical differences between women and men in the service data. In the interviews, self-recognition of problematic alcohol use and support from family were described as factors that motivated some people to seek treatment, while stigma, fear of social services, and a partner’s negative influence were described as barriers.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract notes a small sample and a risk of recall bias. The qualitative interviews were limited to 10 women, so the findings should be read within that scope.

    • Women in the study described increased mental health difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Motherhood demands and loss of social role were reported as factors linked to drinking escalation.
    • Fear of stigma and fear of involvement of social services were barriers to seeking treatment.
    • Self-recognition of alcohol problems and family support were described as motivators for treatment-seeking.
    • The authors suggest personalized, sensitive care and better mental health-alcohol service collaboration.
  • COVID-19 and non-COVID respiratory infections showed similar long-term health effects

    COVID-19 and non-COVID respiratory infections showed similar long-term health effects

    What the study found

    The study found no significant difference in long-term self-rated physical health or work-related functioning between people who tested positive for COVID-19 and people with similar respiratory symptoms who tested negative. Mental health scores were slightly higher in the non-COVID-19 group after adjustment for working status.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that the long-term impact of COVID-19 on self-rated physical health and work-related functioning appears comparable to the impact of other viral respiratory illnesses with similar acute symptoms. The study suggests the need for comprehensive rehabilitation strategies focused on symptom management regardless of the specific viral cause.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers conducted a questionnaire study about two years after patients were tested for COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic in Denmark. They used validated questionnaires for self-assessed health status (SF-12, a general health survey) and work-related functional ability (WORQ), and compared answers between PCR-positive and PCR-negative participants.

    What worked and what didn't

    A total of 463 participants responded, which was a 17% response rate. After adjusting for relevant confounders, there were no significant differences between PCR-positive and PCR-negative participants in work-related functional ability or self-assessed physical health; mental health was slightly higher in the PCR-negative group (49.3 vs. 47.5, p < 0.009) after adjustment for working status.

    What to keep in mind

    The study relies on self-reported questionnaire data collected about two years after testing. The response rate was low at 17%, and the abstract does not describe additional limitations beyond this.

    • The study compared long-term outcomes in PCR-positive and PCR-negative patients with similar respiratory symptoms.
    • No significant differences were found in work-related functional ability or self-assessed physical health after adjustment.
    • Mental health scores were slightly higher in the non-COVID-19 group after adjustment for working status.
    • The study used SF-12 and WORQ questionnaires about two years after testing.
    • The response rate was 17% among 463 participants.

  • COVID-19 threat and efficacy shaped fear, compliance, and discrimination

    What the study found

    The study found that perceived threat in COVID-19 news was associated with more fear, stronger compliance with preventive measures, and greater health discrimination. It also found that perceived efficacy, meaning the sense that recommended actions can work, changed how fear related to these outcomes.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that balanced health communication in media, with both threat and efficacy information, is crucial for reducing health discrimination and maintaining public motivation for preventive behaviors. The study suggests that news messages should not emphasize threat alone.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers collected data from 598 participants in China during COVID-19 prevention and control. They used the Extended Parallel Process Model, a framework for studying how people respond to threatening messages, to examine combinations of perceived threat and perceived efficacy in news and their links to fear, preventive compliance, and health discrimination.

    What worked and what didn't

    Perceived threat showed significant associations with increased fear, enhanced compliance with preventive measures, and heightened health discrimination. Perceived efficacy had a significant moderating effect: when efficacy was high, fear was less likely to promote health discrimination and more likely to encourage preventive measures.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe detailed limitations beyond the study setting and sample. The findings are based on 598 participants in China and on news during COVID-19 prevention and control, so the available summary does not say how far the results extend beyond that context.

    • Perceived threat in COVID-19 news was linked to more fear.
    • Perceived threat was also linked to greater compliance with preventive measures.
    • Perceived threat was linked to more health discrimination.
    • Perceived efficacy moderated the effect of fear on both discrimination and preventive behavior.
    • The authors say balanced communication with both threat and efficacy is important.

  • Media-linked fear spreads through epidemic-related psychological states

    What the study found

    The study found that fear related to epidemics can spread through a population across five psychological states: susceptible, aware, exposed, fearful, and recovered. It also found that fear propagation is influenced by both interpersonal contact and media reports of terrible news.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that psychological factors, especially fear, shape behavioral responses during epidemics. They say these findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions that address both direct interpersonal spread and fear spread through media influence.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers proposed a social mathematical model for epidemic-related fear propagation under media influence. They calculated a basic reproduction number, analyzed its sensitivity to model parameters, and discussed local and global stability at fear-free and endemic equilibrium points. They also set model parameters using existing studies on COVID-19 fear in Turkey and ran numerical simulations.

    What worked and what didn't

    The model results showed that fear propagation worsens when awareness is lost, when people interact directly with exposed and fearful individuals, and when they encounter terrible news in the media. The abstract also states that fear concentrates people in the fearful compartment, where they interact with susceptible and aware compartments, affecting overall fear dynamics.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe practical intervention tests, so the findings come from a mathematical model and simulations rather than a real-world intervention study. The parameter setting was based on existing studies on COVID-19 fear in Turkey, so the model's scope is tied to that context.

    • The model divides people into five psychological states: susceptible, aware, exposed, fearful, and recovered.
    • Fear can spread through direct interaction with exposed and fearful people and through terrible news in the media.
    • Loss of awareness is associated with stronger fear propagation.
    • The study calculates a basic reproduction number and examines stability at fear-free and endemic equilibrium points.
    • Numerical simulations were based on parameter values from existing studies on COVID-19 fear in Turkey.

  • Intention/reflection practice improved student pharmacist engagement after COVID-19

    What the study found

    The study found that student pharmacists perceived Intention/Reflection practice as helpful for learning, confidence, and professional development during advanced pharmacy practice experiences, or APPEs, after COVID-19. The authors describe the practice as a structured way to support engagement, motivation, metacognitive growth, and self-awareness.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that integrating Intention/Reflection into experiential pharmacy education may enhance student engagement and help advance best practices for post-pandemic pharmacy training. The study suggests this approach may support learning experiences across diverse APPE settings.

    What the researchers tested

    This was a retrospective qualitative study of 20 student pharmacists from two U.S. colleges who completed APPE elective rotations with Intention/Reflection activities. The researchers analyzed responses to five structured Intention/Reflection prompts using thematic analysis by two independent researchers with qualitative data analysis software.

    What worked and what didn't

    Four themes were identified from the responses: two from intention and two from reflection. The intention themes described discomfort as a catalyst for confidence, engagement, leadership growth, and adaptive leadership, while the reflection themes described reflection as a catalyst for professional learning, engagement, focused growth, and self-awareness.

    What to keep in mind

    The summary provided does not include detailed limitations beyond the small sample from two U.S. colleges and the focus on APPE elective rotations. The findings are based on student pharmacists' qualitative responses, so they reflect perceptions reported in this study.

    • Twenty student pharmacists from two U.S. colleges were included.
    • Participants completed five structured Intention/Reflection prompts during APPE elective rotations.
    • Thematic analysis identified four themes across intention and reflection responses.
    • Students described gains in confidence, engagement, leadership growth, learning, and self-awareness.
    • The authors conclude that Intention/Reflection may enhance engagement in experiential pharmacy education.

  • COVID-19 stress affected adolescent problem behaviors through different pathways

    What the study found

    The study found that COVID-19 stress was transmitted to adolescent problem behaviors through different pathways for internalizing behaviors, such as anxiety or withdrawal, and externalizing behaviors, such as acting out. Academic attribution profiles, meaning how students explain academic outcomes, moderated these pathways.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that academic attribution is an important moderator in how COVID-19 stress reaches different kinds of problem behaviors. The findings indicate that the stress transmission process is not the same for internalizing and externalizing behaviors.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers surveyed 1,012 middle and high school students using questionnaires. They identified academic attribution types with latent profile analysis, which groups people by similar patterns, and then built a moderated multiple mediation model to test how COVID-19 stress related to problem behaviors through academic stress and adaptation stress.

    What worked and what didn't

    Five academic attribution subgroups were identified, and they showed different moderation of the effects of COVID-19 stress on internalizing and externalizing behaviors. For internalizing behaviors, the abstract reports complete mediation through academic stress, stress stemming from adaptation, and a chain effect; for externalizing behaviors, it reports partial mediation plus a significant direct effect. Extreme Attribution and High-Sensitive types showed higher stress reactivity, while the Attribution Attenuation type was described as protective.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe limitations in detail. The findings are based on questionnaire data from middle and high school students, so the summary provided here is limited to that sample and design.

    • Five academic attribution subgroups were identified in the student sample.
    • COVID-19 stress affected internalizing and externalizing behaviors through different mediation patterns.
    • Internalizing behaviors were reported as fully mediated by academic stress and adaptation stress pathways.
    • Externalizing behaviors were reported as partly mediated and also linked to a direct effect.
    • Academic attribution profiles changed how strongly stress transmission pathways operated.