16 research outputs found
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
Natura 2000 habitat mapping in Cyprus using high resolution orthophoto maps
The Natura 2000 network is an essential tool for the protection and conservation of habitats and species throughout Europe. Each member state is responsible for the designation and management of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), according to the provisions of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). One of the key components for the conservation of these areas and their natural habitats is monitoring to ensure their long-term protection and maintenance. In this study, high resolution orthophotos were used to update the habitat maps of 17 SACs of the Natura 2000 network in Cyprus (areas under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus) and also to map two (2) new candidate Sites of Community Importance (cSCIs). Habitat mapping involved an initial photo-interpretation using orthophotos and, subsequently, the aggregation of information from supplementary data (i.e. Corine Land Cover, crosswalks between EUNIS habitats Classification and Corine Land Cover, Google earth imagery from different years and seasons, etc.) to produce a map with all available information (spatial and descriptive) regarding habitat types and their cover area. Validation of the updated habitat mapping was performed by habitat and flora experts, combined with extensive field work. Additionally, 100 monitoring protocols were used to record and assess the conservation degree of 13 different habitat types inside these 19 areas. The study demonstrates that high-resolution orthophotos, combined with field work, significantly contributed to the improvement of the Natura 2000 habitat mapping. Remote sensing applications are powerful tools for identifying, mapping and monitoring of the Natura 2000 habitats
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
Detailed information on the methodology and participants’ characteristics.
Detailed information on the methodology and participants’ characteristics.</p
Prevalence rates of probable mental disorders at T1 and T2.
Prevalence rates of probable mental disorders at T1 and T2.</p
Themes related to positive aspects of the pandemic.
Themes related to positive aspects of the pandemic.</p
Means, standard deviations, and <i>t</i>-test statistics for mental health outcomes.
Means, standard deviations, and t-test statistics for mental health outcomes.</p
Identified themes and their frequencies at baseline and follow-up.
Identified themes and their frequencies at baseline and follow-up.</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
Detailed results of the mixed-methods analysis.
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