Coping in the Time of Crisis : A Study on College Students\u27 Mental Health and Coping Mechanisms amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The sudden closure of colleges and universities, among other challenges, disrupted higher education across US states during the subsequent waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly impacting the mental health of college students. The study was designed to comprehend the major stressors that college students encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic and the strategies they employed to cope with these stressors. The participants included undergraduate students from a small rural public university in the Southeast region of the US. A survey comprising 35 items to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 on mental health and coping mechanisms was employed. The study included 170 student participants. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize quantitative data and a thematic qualitative analytic approach was employed for qualitative data. The majority of the participants reported increased stress and negative emotions, and also faced financial hardships. Participants also reported receiving social support from friends and family. The study found that students predominantly used social and entertainment-based coping mechanisms, while mindfulness-based exercises were the least utilized coping strategies. College students who experienced increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic are more likely to develop mental and behavioral health disorders, experience academic challenges, and have a lower quality of life. Even though the pandemic is over, continued proactive support and well-designed interventions are needed to address the lingering effects of the pandemic and support their overall well-being

Knowledge of Sickle Cell Trait and Disease among African-American College Students

The term sickle cell disease (SCD) refers to a collection of hemoglobinopathies (inherited blood disorders) characterized by abnormal hemoglobin and produced through the homozygous inheritance of a sickle cell allele. Heterozygous inheritance results in a condition known as sickle cell trait (SCT). Individuals with SCT have a 50% chance of passing the gene to future offspring. In recent years mounting evidence has confirmed that SCT is also associated with several rare but serious complications including renal complications, renal cancer, spleen damage, and exercise-related sudden death. In the United States, sickle cell conditions primarily occur among African Americans. While all 50 states conduct newborn screenings which identify individuals with SCD and SCT, no studies have examined whether trait status is effectively conveyed to affected individuals or investigated knowledge of SCT among a large sample of African Americans. The purpose of the present study was to examine knowledge of SCT and SCD and to identify whether current procedures for trait notification in North Carolina effectively convey information about trait status, as well as its health and reproductive implications. A large sample of African-American college students (N = 258) completed questionnaires assessing knowledge of SCT and SCD. Participants reported their trait and disease status, the status of family members, and sources of sickle cell knowledge. Results indicated that participants were most likely to have received information about sickle cell from school. Though participants were generally familiar with the terms "sickle cell disease" and "sickle cell trait," many lacked knowledge regarding the genetic transmission of SCD, common symptoms, and treatment. A majority of participants were uncertain of their SCT status. Unfortunately, reported trait status of the participants could not be verified due to missing records. Nonetheless, participants who indicated that they had SCT or "thought" they had SCT scored higher on a measure of trait knowledge. Participants who had received information about sickle cell from their families showed greater trait knowledge than those who had not. Females were more likely than males to desire to know their trait status. Females also displayed higher levels of trait and disease knowledge than males.  Ph.D

Impact of Adverse Childhood Events on the Psychosocial Functioning of Children Affected by Parental HIV in Rural China

Introduction: Children affected by parental HIV are more likely than unaffected peers to experience trauma and are at-risk for negative psychological and social outcomes. This study aimed to examine the relationship between adverse childhood events and psychosocial functioning among children affected by parental HIV. Methods: A total of 790 children ages 6–17 from Henan, China were enrolled in a longitudinal, randomized controlled trial of a resilience-based psychosocial intervention. At baseline, children reported on numerous psychosocial factors, including trauma exposure, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and peer social functioning. We used linear regression analysis to test the direct effect of trauma exposure on peer social functioning. We then tested whether depression and anxiety symptoms served as two potential parallel mediators in the association between trauma exposure and peer social functioning. Results: Trauma exposure was significantly associated with poor peer social functioning (β = −0.10, p = 0.005) when controlling for key covariates. When depression and anxiety symptoms were added to the model, the association between trauma exposure and peer social functioning became nonsignificant. Instead, there were significant indirect effects from trauma exposure to peer social functioning via depression (β = −0.06, 95%CI[−0.09, −0.03]) and anxiety (β = −0.02, 95%CI[−0.04, −0.00]). Conclusion: This study is among the first to link trauma exposure to peer social functioning deficits for children affected by parental HIV and demonstrates that symptoms of anxiety and depression mediate this relationship. Findings underscore the need for comprehensive psychosocial support for children affected by HIV, including screening for trauma exposure and mental health disorders

Social vs market value: how much is a COVID-19 vaccine worth?

Vaccine uptake protects individuals and societies, but how much is the COVID-19 vaccine worth? Joan Costa-Font, Caroline Rudisill, Sayward Harrison, and Luca Salmasi estimate that the willingness to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine in the US, UK, Spain, and Italy in July 2020 ranged between 100 and 200 US dollars. However, the social value of the vaccine exceeds its market value

Social v market value: how much is a COVID vaccine worth?

Vaccine uptake protects individuals and societies, but how much is the COVID-19 vaccine worth? Joan Costa-Font (LSE), Caroline Rudisill, Sayward Harrison (University of South Carolina), and Luca Salmasi (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore) estimate that the willingness to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine in the US, UK, Spain, and Italy in July 2020 ranged between 100 and 200 US dollars. However, the social value of the vaccine exceeds its market value

Peer Victimization and Depressive Symptoms Among Rural-to-Urban Migrant Children in China: The Protective Role of Resilience

Peer victimization can have a profound effect on children’s wellbeing and is a known risk factor for depression in childhood. Migrant children experience peer victimization at higher rates than non-migrant peers; however, limited research has examined psychological factors that may serve to reduce depression risk for this group. In particular, no studies have yet investigated whether resilience, including personal characteristics, and a strong social support network, may moderate the relationship between peer victimization and depressive symptoms for migrant children. This study utilized a latent interaction model to examine the effect of resilience on the relationship between peer victimization and depressive symptoms among 721 rural-to-urban migrant children in Beijing, China. Results indicated that peer victimization was positively associated with depressive symptoms. Resilience was found to be a protective factor for depressive symptoms and also mitigated the effects of peer victimization on depressive symptoms. Exploratory analyses suggest that enrollment in private migrant schools may be linked with poorer psychosocial outcomes for Chinese migrant children. Strengthening the internal resilience and social supports for all migrant children may be an effective strategy to lower their risk for depression. Implications for intervention are discussed

Peer Victimization and Depressive Symptoms Among Rural-to-Urban Migrant Children in China: The Protective Role of Resilience

Peer victimization can have a profound effect on children’s wellbeing and is a known risk factor for depression in childhood. Migrant children experience peer victimization at higher rates than non-migrant peers; however, limited research has examined psychological factors that may serve to reduce depression risk for this group. In particular, no studies have yet investigated whether resilience, including personal characteristics, and a strong social support network, may moderate the relationship between peer victimization and depressive symptoms for migrant children. This study utilized a latent interaction model to examine the effect of resilience on the relationship between peer victimization and depressive symptoms among 721 rural-to-urban migrant children in Beijing, China. Results indicated that peer victimization was positively associated with depressive symptoms. Resilience was found to be a protective factor for depressive symptoms and also mitigated the effects of peer victimization on depressive symptoms. Exploratory analyses suggest that enrollment in private migrant schools may be linked with poorer psychosocial outcomes for Chinese migrant children. Strengthening the internal resilience and social supports for all migrant children may be an effective strategy to lower their risk for depression. Implications for intervention are discussed

Telepsychiatry Adoption Across Hospitals in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Access to psychiatric care is critical for patients discharged from hospital psychiatric units to ensure continuity of care. When face-to-face follow-up is unavailable or undesirable, telepsychiatry becomes a promising alternative. This study aimed to investigate hospital- and county-level characteristics associated with telepsychiatry adoption. Methods: Cross-sectional national data of 3475 acute care hospitals were derived from the 2017 American Hospital Association Annual Survey. Generalized linear regression models were used to identify characteristics associated with telepsychiatry adoption. Results: About one-sixth (548 [15.8%]) of hospitals reported having telepsychiatry with a wide variation across states. Rural noncore hospitals were less likely to adopt telepsychiatry (8.3%) than hospitals in rural micropolitan (13.6%) and urban counties (19.4%). Hospitals with both outpatient and inpatient psychiatric care services (marginal difference [95% CI]: 16.0% [12.1% to 19.9%]) and hospitals only with outpatient psychiatric services (6.5% [3.7% to 9.4%]) were more likely to have telepsychiatry than hospitals with neither psychiatric services. Federal hospitals (48.9% [32.5 to 65.3%]), system-affiliated hospitals (3.9% [1.2% to 6.6%]), hospitals with larger bed size (Quartile IV vs. I: 6.2% [0.7% to 11.6%]), and hospitals with greater ratio of Medicaid inpatient days to total inpatient days (Quartile IV vs. I: 4.9% [0.3% to 9.4%]) were more likely to have telepsychiatry than their counterparts. Private non-profit hospitals (− 6.9% [− 11.7% to − 2.0%]) and hospitals in counties designated as whole mental health professional shortage areas (− 6.6% [− 12.7% to − 0.5%]) were less likely to have telepsychiatry. Conclusions: Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, telepsychiatry adoption in US hospitals was low with substantial variations by urban and rural status and by state in 2017. This raises concerns about access to psychiatric services and continuity of care for patients discharged from hospitals

Future Orientation Among Children Affected by Parental HIV in China: An Exploratory Analysis of Complex Interactions

We utilized an exploratory analytic approach to examine predictors of children\u27s future beliefs, an internal asset associated with resilience among children affected by HIV, with emphasis on complex interactions among multisystem factors. Children (N = 1221) affected by parental HIV in China reported on psychosocial functioning, as well as internal, familial, and community resilience assets. Exploratory data analysis was conducted using a binary segmentation program. Six binary splits on predictors accounted for 22.78% of the variance in future expectation, suggesting interactions between children\u27s perceived control of their future, loneliness, caregiver trust, and social support. Four binary splits accounted for 23.15% of the variance in future orientation, suggesting multiway interactions between control of the future, loneliness, social support, and perceived stigma. Findings suggest combinations of resilience factors are associated with children\u27s positive future beliefs. Implications for screening, prevention, and intervention among Chinese children affected by parental HIV are discussed

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Uptake Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men (BMSM) In the Southern U.S.

Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) living in the United States (U.S.) South are disproportionately affected by HIV and experience significant disparities in HIV incidence, access to HIV care, and prevention across ages and socio-economic statuses. The aim of this commentary is to critically review current literature on the state of PrEP use among BMSM in the U.S. South, including identifying barriers and facilitators to PrEP use in order to inform intervention development. Extant literature shows that despite the documented benefits of PrEP as an effective HIV-prevention method, its uptake among BMSM is limited across the U.S. South. Common barriers to PrEP uptake included stigma, homophobia, mistrust of healthcare systems, negative attitudes from healthcare providers, access and transportation issues, poverty, and misinformation about PrEP. These barriers are likely to have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Limited access to PrEP and other HIV-prevention programs, such as HIV testing, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and condoms for BMSM are likely increase HIV incidence in this community. Moreover, the rapid expansion of telehealth services during the COVID-19 period may offer increased opportunity to scale-up PrEP through telehealth interventions, especially if in-person services remain limited due to pandemic precautions. Given the intersectional barriers that limit the access and uptake of PrEP among BMSM, we suggest that tailored programs or interventions that seek to address PrEP disparities among Southern BMSM should adopt intersectional and interdisciplinary approaches to better understand the complex challenges of scaling up PrEP. More studies are needed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on HIV-prevention services among BMSM and to understand how to co-develop—with the BMSM community and healthcare providers—culturally acceptable interventions to reduce the identified challenges using intersectional and interdisciplinary approaches