Puedes no ser capaz de hacer algo al respecto, pero puedes sacar lo mejor de la situación: Un análisis cualitativo de experiencias relacionadas con la pandemia en seis países europeos

The complex system of stressors related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the global population, provoking a broad range of psychological reactions. Although numerous studies have investigated the mental health impact of COVID-19, qualitative research and cross-country comparisons are still rare.El complejo sistema de factores estresantes relacionados con la pandemia por la COVID-19 ha afectado a la población mundial, generando un amplio rango de reacciones psicológicas. A pesar de que múltiples estudios han investigado el impacto sobre la salud mental de la COVID-19, las investigaciones cualitativas y las comparaciones entre países aún son infrecuentes

A longitudinal study of risk and protective factors for symptoms of adjustment disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused multiple stressors that may lead to symptoms of adjustment disorder. Objective: We longitudinally examined relationships between risk and protective factors, pandemic-related stressors and symptoms of adjustment disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as whether these relationships differed by the time of assessment. Method: The European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) ADJUST Study included N = 15,169 participants aged 18 years and above. Participants from 11 European countries were recruited and screened three times at 6-month intervals from June 2020 to January 2022. Associations between risk and protective factors (e.g. gender), stressors (e.g. fear of infection), and symptoms of adjustment disorder (AjD, ADNM-8) and their interaction with time of assessment were examined using mixed linear regression. Results: The following predictors were significantly associated with higher AjD symptom levels: female or diverse gender; older age; pandemic-related news consumption &gt;30 min a day; a current or previous mental health disorder; trauma exposure before or during the pandemic; a good, satisfactory or poor health status (vs. very good); burden related to governmental crisis management and communication; fear of infection; restricted social contact; work-related problems; restricted activity; and difficult housing conditions. The following predictors were associated with lower AjD levels: self-employment or retirement; working in healthcare; and face-to-face contact ≥ once a week with loved ones or friends. The effects of the following predictors on AjD symptoms differed by the time of assessment in the course of the pandemic: a current or previous mental disorder; burden related to governmental crisis management; income reduction; and a current trauma exposure. Conclusions: We identified risk factors and stressors predicting AjD symptom levels at different stages of the pandemic. For some predictors, the effects on mental health may change at different stages of a pandemic.</p

Factores de riesgo y protectores para el trastorno de éstres postráumatico en individuos expuestos a trauma durante la pandemia COVID-19 – hallazgos de un estudio paneuropeo

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a health emergency resulting in multiple stressors that may be related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Objective: This study examined relationships between risk and protective factors, pandemic-related stressors, and PTSD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data from the European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) ADJUST Study were used. N = 4,607 trauma-exposed participants aged 18 years and above were recruited from the general populations of eleven countries (Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden) from June to November 2020. We assessed sociodemographic (e.g. gender), pandemic-related (e.g. news consumption), and health-related (e.g. general health condition) risk and protective factors, pandemic-related stressors (e.g. fear of infection), and probable PTSD (PC-PTSD-5). The relationships between these variables were examined using logistic regression on multiple imputed data sets. Results: The prevalence of probable PTSD was 17.7%. Factors associated with an increased risk for PTSD were younger age, female gender, more than 3 h of daily pandemic-related news consumption (vs. no consumption), a satisfactory, poor, or very poor health condition (vs. a very good condition), a current or previous diagnosis of a mental disorder, and trauma exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors associated with a reduced risk for PTSD included a medium and high income (vs. very low income), face-to-face contact less than once a week or 3–7 times a week (vs. no contact), and digital social contact less than once a week or 1–7 days a week (vs. no contact). Pandemic-related stressors associated with an increased risk for PTSD included governmental crisis management and communication, restricted resources, restricted social contact, and difficult housing conditions. Conclusion: We identified risk and protective factors as well as stressors that may help identify trauma-exposed individuals at risk for PTSD, enabling more efficient and rapid access to care.Antecedentes: La pandemia COVID-19 es una emergencia sanitaria que genera múltiples estresores que pueden estar relacionados con el trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT). Objetivo: Este estudio examinó las relaciones entre los factores de riesgo y protectores, estresores relacionados con la pandemia y TEPT durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Se utilizaron los datos del estudio ADJUST de la Sociedad Europea de Estudios de Estrés Traumático (ESTSS por sus siglas en ingles). N=4.607 participantes mayores de 18 años expuestos a trauma fueron reclutados de la población general de once países (Austria, Croacia, Georgia, Alemania, Grecia, Italia, Lituania, Países Bajos, Polonia, Portugal y Suecia) desde junio a noviembre 2020. Evaluamos factores de riesgo y protectores sociodemográficos (p.ej. género), relacionados con la pandemia (p.ej. consumo de noticias) y relacionados con la salud (p.ej. estado de salud general), estresores relacionados con la pandemia (p.ej. temor a la infección) y TEPT probable (PC-PTSD-5 por sus siglas en ingles). Las relaciones entre estas variables se examinaron mediante regresión logística en múltiples conjuntos de datos imputados. Resultados: La prevalencia de TEPT probable fue del 17.7%. Los factores asociados con un mayor riesgo de TEPT fueron edad más joven, sexo femenino, más de 3 horas de consumo diario de noticias relacionadas con la pandemia (frente a ningún consumo), un estado de salud satisfactorio, malo o muy malo (frente a un estado muy bueno), un diagnóstico de trastorno mental actual o previo y exposición a un trauma durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Los factores asociados con un riesgo reducido de TEPT incluyeron ingresos medios y altos (frente a ingresos muy bajos), contacto cara a cara menos de una vez a la semana o de 3 a 7 veces por semana (frente a ningún contacto) y contacto social digital menos de una vez a la semana o de 1 a 7 días a la semana (frente a ningún contacto). Los estresores relacionados con la pandemia asociados con un mayor riesgo de TEPT incluyeron la gestión y comunicación de crisis gubernamental, recursos restringidos, contacto social restringido y condiciones de vivienda difíciles. Conclusiones: Identificamos factores de riesgo y protectores, así como estresores que pueden ayudar a identificar a las personas expuestas a traumas en riesgo de TEPT, lo que permite un acceso más eficiente y rápido a la atención

COVID-19 Unmasked Global Collaboration Protocol: longitudinal cohort study examining mental health of young children and caregivers during the pandemic

Background: Early empirical data shows that school-aged children, adolescents and adults are experiencing elevated levels of anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, there is very little research on mental health outcomes for young children. Objectives: To describe the formation of a global collaboration entitled, ‘COVID-19 Unmasked’. The collaborating researchers aim to (1) describe and compare the COVID-19 related experiences within and across countries; (2) examine mental health outcomes for young children (1 to 5 years) and caregivers over a 12-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) explore the trajectories/time course of psychological outcomes of the children and parents over this period and (4) identify the risk and protective factors for different mental health trajectories. Data will be combined from all participating countries into one large open access cross-cultural dataset to facilitate further international collaborations and joint publications. Methods: COVID-19 Unmasked is an online prospective longitudinal cohort study. An international steering committee was formed with the aim of starting a global collaboration. Currently, partnerships have been formed with 9 countries (Australia, Cyprus, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Turkey, the UK, and the United States of America). Research partners have started to start data collection with caregivers of young children aged 1–5 years old at baseline, 3-months, 6-months, and 12-months. Caregivers are invited to complete an online survey about COVID-19 related exposure and experiences, child’s wellbeing, their own mental health, and parenting. Data analysis: Primary study outcomes will be child mental health as assessed by scales from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System–Early Childhood (PROMIS-EC) and caregiver mental health as assessed by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). The trajectories/time course of mental health difficulties and the impact of risk and protective factors will be analysed using hierarchical linear models, accounting for nested effects (e.g. country) and repeated measures

Internet and adolescents: psychological health, excessive use and the role of family

This research aims to highlight and appreciate the factors associated with excessive internet use. The population studied consisted of 904 students, aged 12 to 18 years and 825 parents, who came from areas of Larissa and Magnesia and in particular, from a large urban area, a prefecture's capital, a municipal unit of the prefecture's capital and an island. Students were provided with the following questionnaires: Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Self Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C) and Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran: “My Memories of Upbringing” for Children (EMBU-C). Students were also provided with questionnaires about socio-demographic characteristics and the use of online activities. Parents were given the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES III). The findings indicated that 14.1% of students were excessive internet users and those living in the large urban area were more prone to excessive use compared to those living in the municipal unit of the prefecture's capital. The average level of internet use was higher at the age of 15 and at students who used the internet since they were in elementary school. Social media was the principal reason for using the internet, while excessive internet use was associated with social networks, online games, downloading of music, movies and other material, online gambling and pornographic websites. Additionally, gender differences in the type of online activities were identified. The average level of internet use was related to symptoms of psychopathology, academic, emotional and social self-efficacy, parental rearing practices, and family cohesion as perceived by parents. Excessive internet users had increased symptoms of psychopathology, control-overprotection, rejection and anxious rearing, and decreased academic, emotional, social self-efficacy and emotional warmth. Finally, the increased symptoms of psychopathology and the rejection by parents were the predictive factors in excessive internet use. In conclusion, adolescents in Greece are susceptible to the excessive internet use and the addictive behavior is related both to individual and social factors, such as psychological well-being and interpersonal and family relationships. Most importantly, rejection as a parental rearing practice and the psychopathology of adolescents seemed to impact upon the development of addictive behavior and should be taken into consideration by future research.Η παρούσα έρευνα στοχεύει στην ανάδειξη και κατανόηση των παραγόντων που σχετίζονται με την υπερβολική χρήση του διαδικτύου. Συμμετείχαν 904 μαθητές, ηλικίας 12 έως 18 ετών και 825 γονείς που προέρχονταν από περιοχές των νομών Λαρίσης και Μαγνησίας και ειδικότερα, από ένα μεγάλο αστικό κέντρο, μια πρωτεύουσα νομού, μια δημοτική ενότητα της πρωτεύουσας του νομού και μια νησιώτικη περιοχή. Τα ερωτηματολόγια που δόθηκαν στους μαθητές ήταν τα εξής: το Τεστ Εξάρτησης στο Διαδίκτυο, η Συντομευμένη Κλίμακα Καταγραφής Συμπτωμάτων, το Ερωτηματολόγιο Αυτοαποτελεσματικότητας για Παιδιά και οι Αντιλήψεις για τις Πρακτικές Ανατροφής των Παιδιών. Επίσης δόθηκαν ερωτηματολόγια σχετικά με τα κοινωνικοδημογραφικά χαρακτηριστικά και τη χρήση διαδικτυακών δραστηριοτήτων. Στους γονείς δόθηκε η Κλίμακα Εκτίμησης Προσαρμοστικότητας και Συνοχής της Οικογένειας. Τα ευρήματα έδειξαν ότι το 14.1% των μαθητών έκανε υπερβολική χρήση του διαδικτύου, ενώ οι μαθητές που κατοικούσαν στο μεγάλο αστικό κέντρο ήταν πιο επιρρεπείς στην υπερβολική χρήση έναντι σε αυτούς που κατοικούσαν στη δημοτική ενότητα της πρωτεύουσας του νομού. Το μέσο επίπεδο χρήσης του διαδικτύου ήταν υψηλότερο στην ηλικία των 15 και σε όσους μαθητές χρησιμοποιούσαν το διαδίκτυο από όταν ήταν στο δημοτικό σχολείο. Τα μέσα κοινωνικής δικτύωσης αποτελούσαν τον κυριότερο λόγο χρήσης του διαδικτύου για τους μαθητές, ενώ η υπερβολική διαδικτυακή χρήση σχετίστηκε με τα κοινωνικά δίκτυα, τα διαδικτυακά παιχνίδια, τη λήψη μουσικής, ταινιών και άλλου υλικού, τον διαδικτυακό τζόγο και τις πορνογραφικές ιστοσελίδες. Επιπρόσθετα, παρουσιάστηκαν διαφορές φύλου αναφορικά με το είδος των διαδικτυακών δραστηριοτήτων. Εν συνεχεία, το μέσο επίπεδο χρήσης του διαδικτύου σχετίστηκε με τα συμπτώματα ψυχοπαθολογίας, με την ακαδημαϊκή, συναισθηματική και κοινωνική αυτοαποτελεσματικότητα των εφήβων, με τις πρακτικές ανατροφής από τους γονείς και με την αντιλαμβανόμενη οικογενειακή συνοχή των γονέων. Οι υπερβολικοί χρήστες του διαδικτύου είχαν αυξημένα τα συμπτώματα ψυχοπαθολογίας, τον έλεγχο-υπερπροστασία, την απόρριψη και την αγχώδη ανατροφή, ενώ μειωμένη ήταν η ακαδημαϊκή, συναισθηματική και κοινωνική αυτοαποτελεσματικότητα και η συναισθηματική ζεστασιά από τους γονείς. Τέλος, οι προβλεπτικοί παράγοντες στην υπερβολική χρήση του διαδικτύου ήταν τα αυξημένα συμπτώματα ψυχοπαθολογίας και η απόρριψη από τους γονείς. Συμπερασματικά, οι έφηβοι στην Ελλάδα φαίνεται να είναι επιρρεπείς στην υπερβολική χρήση του διαδικτύου και η εθιστική συμπεριφορά σχετίζεται με παράγοντες που αφορούν τόσο σε ατομικό όσο και σε κοινωνικό επίπεδο, όπως είναι για παράδειγμα η ψυχική ευημερία και οι διαπροσωπικές και οικογενειακές σχέσεις. Ειδικότερα, η απόρριψη ως πρακτική ανατροφής από τους γονείς και τα συμπτώματα ψυχοπαθολογίας των εφήβων θα πρέπει να λαμβάνονται υπόψη από μελλοντικές έρευνες καθώς φάνηκε ότι ευνοούν την ανάπτυξη της εθιστικής συμπεριφοράς

Shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic: Psychological responses from a subjective perspective-A longitudinal mixed-methods study across five European countries

Background Contextual factors are essential for understanding long-term adjustment to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the present study investigated changes in mental health outcomes and subjective pandemic-related experiences over time and across countries. The main objective was to explore how psychological responses vary in relation to individual and environmental factors. Methods The sample consisted of N = 1070 participants from the general population of Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, and Portugal. We applied a longitudinal mixed-methods approach, with baseline assessment in summer and autumn 2020 (T1) and follow-up assessment 12 months later (T2). Qualitative content analysis by Mayring was used to analyse open-ended questions about stressful events, positive and negative aspects of the pandemic, and recommendations on how to cope. Mental health outcomes were assessed with the Adjustment Disorder–New Module 8 (ADNM-8), the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD- 5), the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), and the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5). The analyses were performed with SPSS Statistics Version 26 and MAXQDA 2022. Results The mental health outcomes significantly differed over time and across countries, with e.g. Greek participants showing decrease in adjustment disorder symptoms (p = .007) between T1 and T2. Compared with other countries, we found better mental health outcomes in the Austrian and the Croatian sample at both timepoints (p < .05). Regarding qualitative data, some themes were equally represented at both timepoints (e.g. Restrictions and changes in daily life), while others were more prominent at T1 (e.g. Work and finances) or T2 (e.g. Vaccination issues). Conclusions Our findings indicate that people’s reactions to the pandemic are largely shaped by the shifting context of the pandemic, country-specific factors, and individual characteristics and circumstances. Resource-oriented interventions focusing on psychological flexibility might promote resilience and mental health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and other global crises

Identified themes and their frequencies at baseline and follow-up.

Identified themes and their frequencies at baseline and follow-up.</p

Themes related to positive aspects of the pandemic.

Themes related to positive aspects of the pandemic.</p

Themes and categories (T1 and T2).

BackgroundContextual factors are essential for understanding long-term adjustment to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the present study investigated changes in mental health outcomes and subjective pandemic-related experiences over time and across countries. The main objective was to explore how psychological responses vary in relation to individual and environmental factors.MethodsThe sample consisted of N = 1070 participants from the general population of Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, and Portugal. We applied a longitudinal mixed-methods approach, with baseline assessment in summer and autumn 2020 (T1) and follow-up assessment 12 months later (T2). Qualitative content analysis by Mayring was used to analyse open-ended questions about stressful events, positive and negative aspects of the pandemic, and recommendations on how to cope. Mental health outcomes were assessed with the Adjustment Disorder–New Module 8 (ADNM-8), the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5), the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), and the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5). The analyses were performed with SPSS Statistics Version 26 and MAXQDA 2022.ResultsThe mental health outcomes significantly differed over time and across countries, with e.g. Greek participants showing decrease in adjustment disorder symptoms (p = .007) between T1 and T2. Compared with other countries, we found better mental health outcomes in the Austrian and the Croatian sample at both timepoints (p Restrictions and changes in daily life), while others were more prominent at T1 (e.g. Work and finances) or T2 (e.g. Vaccination issues).ConclusionsOur findings indicate that people’s reactions to the pandemic are largely shaped by the shifting context of the pandemic, country-specific factors, and individual characteristics and circumstances. Resource-oriented interventions focusing on psychological flexibility might promote resilience and mental health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and other global crises.</div

Themes related to stressful events during the pandemic.

Themes related to stressful events during the pandemic.</p