The effect of passion for activities on fear of COVID-19 and mental health among the Japanese population.

As the ongoing pandemic limited the lives of the general population, people engaged in their favorite activities; either in alternative ways or while disregarding the restrictions. These activities and people's engagement in such activities are considered to have a significant impact on mental health. Thus, this study aimed to examine the relationship between two types of passion (harmonious passion and obsessive passion), fear of COVID-19, and mental distress. Thus, a total of 322 Japanese participants completed an online questionnaire. The results showed that harmonious passion (HP) was negatively related to mental distress. Conversely, obsessive passion (OP) was positively related to fear of COVID-19 and mental distress. The fear of COVID-19 had a positive relationship with mental distress. This study evidenced that HP is a protective factor against pandemics as it improves mental health during a pandemic. However, OP is a risk factor as it amplifies fear of COVID-19. Focusing on distinct types of passion may prove effective in improving mental health amidst the pandemic.

The effect of ego-resiliency and COVID-19-related stress on mental health among the Japanese population.

Due to the negative psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, it is necessary to study the factors that improve mental health. In this study, we evaluated changing income, self-restraint, fear of COVID-19, depression, anxiety, stress, and ego-resiliency, to investigate the main and moderating effects of ego-resiliency on psychological distress. We analyzed 222 Japanese samples from the dataset of Primary Survey in Japan (PSJ) in the Resilience to COVid-19 in Each Region (RE-COVER) project. The results showed significant main effects of ego-resiliency on depression and stress, and a significant interaction effect of self-restraint and ego-resiliency on depression. We also tested the significance of the moderating effect of ego-resiliency on the relationship between self-restraint and depression. The simple slope of ego-resiliency was only significant for individuals with high self-restraint. Our findings provide empirical evidence on mental health associated with the COVID-19 pandemic among the Japanese population, proving that ego-resiliency functioned to cope with the specific stresses associated with COVID-19.

Role of innate and acquired resilience in behavioral system, mental health, and internet addiction among Japanese adolescents in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: This study examines mediation models in which behavioral inhibition and activation systems (BIS/BAS) impact internet addiction through mental health and the moderating roles of innate and acquired resilience in the models. Methods: The data set used in this study was a cross-sectional survey among 952 adolescents in July 2021. Internet Addiction Test, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, BIS/BAS scales, and Depression Self-Rating Scale were used for analysis. After controlling for gender, the mediation and moderated mediation models were examined. Results: The results revealed that depressive symptoms partially mediated the relationship between BIS and internet addiction and between BAS-fun-seeking (BAS-FS) and internet addiction. Innate and acquired resilience moderated the relationship between depressive symptoms and internet addiction. The indirect effect of innate and acquired resilience on internet addiction via depressive symptoms was statistically significant in both low and high innate and acquired resilience. The results of conditional indirect effect analysis indicated that the depressive symptoms-internet addiction association decreased with the increase of innate or acquired resilience level. Discussion: Our results suggested that depression symptoms played a significant mediation role in the relationships between BIS/BAS and internet addiction, and higher innate and acquired resilience was associated with a reduced risk of internet addiction. BIS/BAS may be a risk for internet dependence via mental health, and innate and acquired resilience appears to serve as a protective factor.

Impact of a single school-based intervention for COVID-19 on improving mental health among Japanese children.

An underlying concern about the COVID-19 pandemic is the decline of children's mental health. The present study is aimed to investigate whether a single school-based intervention, including self-monitoring and psychoeducation for COVID-19, effectively achieved its aim to promote children's mental health. The study was conducted in a junior high school. We assigned the third grade as the intervention group, the second grade as the announcement group, and the first grade as the control group. We hypothesized that the intervention group would experience improved mental health and reduced fear of COVID-19 compared to the announcement and control groups. Interaction effects were observed only for depression, indicating a significant effect in the intervention group. These findings suggest that a single school-based intervention that includes self-monitoring and psychoeducation for COVID-19 can help improve children's mental health. It is suggested that school-based interventions that intend to raise children's awareness of COVID-19 promote their healthy development and adaptation to crises within the school.

The roles of trait and process resilience in relation of BIS/BAS and depressive symptoms among adolescents.

Background: Extensive literature revealed the relations of depression with behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral activation system (BAS) as vulnerability and with resilience separately. Besides, the concept of resilience is still broad and ambiguous. Thus, this study aimed to reveal the mediation of two aspects of resilience: trait and process, in the relations of BIS and BAS to depression among adolescents. Methods: The data set used in this study was a cross-sectional survey among 965 adolescents. The obtained data from the self-reported questionnaires used in this study were as below: Depression Serf-Rating Scale for Children (DSRS-C), Behavioral Inhibition and Behavioral Activation System Scale (BIS/BASS), and Bidimensional Resilience Scale (BRS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to verify the hypothesized relations among BIS/BAS, trait and behavior resilience, and depressive symptoms. Results: The obtained indices of fit from SEM were good or sufficient (χ 2 = 562.911, df = 96, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.925; NFI = 0.913; RMSEA = 0.073, 90% CI [0.067, 0.079]; SRMR = 0.066). And the modeling showed that both BIS/BAS directly and indirectly influenced to depression. The indirect effects of BIS/BAS were mediated only trait resilience except the indirect effect of BIS via behavioral resilience. Discussion: Our results suggested that trait resilience played a significant mediation role in the relationships between BIS/BAS and depression. Trait but not process resilience could be considered suitable as an intervention target in line with decreasing depression.

Validation and Psychometric Properties of the Japanese Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale Among Adolescents.

In the context of the global outbreak of COVID-19, there is an urgent need to explore the effects of this pandemic on the mental health of adolescents. The present study aims to adapt and validate a Japanese-version Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) with a sample of adolescent students from Japan. To this end, the Japanese-version FCV-19S, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A), and Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Scale (PVDS) were administered to a sample of Japanese adolescents in schools. The results of statistical analyses revealed that the Japanese-version FCV-19S has a bi-factor model consisting of the emotional response factor and the physiological response factor, with high reliability (emotional: α = .71; physiological: α = .82). Constructive validity was shown by the significant positive correlation between the GAD-7 and emotional (r = .11) and physiological response (r = .25), between PHQ-A and physiological response (r = .19), and between both factors and the PVDS subscale (rs > .16). Taken together, these results indicate that the Japanese-version FCV-19S has a high internal consistency and a moderately good construct validity.

Interest Consistency Can Buffer the Effect of COVID-19 Fear on Psychological Distress.

In the context of a recent outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the present study investigated the buffering effect of grit on the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and psychological distress. The data were collected from 224 Japanese participants (98 females; mean age = 46.56, SD = 13.41) in July 2020. The measures used in this study included the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), Short Grit Scale, and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21 (DASS). The results of mediation analyses revealed significant indirect effects of consistency of interest, a major component of grit, on psychological distress (depression: estimate = .042; 95% CI: [.008, .088], anxiety: estimate = .021; 95% CI: [.001, .050], and stress: estimate = .030; 95% CI: [.004, .066]); we also found non-significant indirect effects of perseverance of effort, another major component of grit, on psychological distress. These results suggest that consistency of interest buffers the psychological distress induced by fear of COVID-19. Based on these results, it can be concluded that individuals with higher consistency of interest are less likely to experience worsening of their mental health, even if they experience fear of COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Socioeconomic Impacts of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Mental Health and Life Satisfaction of the Japanese Population.

COVID-19 has been a global challenge ever since its emergence, with reports suggesting negative effects on the mental health and well-being of people. We investigated the associations of the socioeconomic changes driven by the pandemic, illness, well-being, and fear of COVID-19 in Japan. Totally, 565 Japanese individuals completed an online survey, including questions on their self-restraint and changing incomes, and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale; Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale; and present, past, and future life satisfaction scale. Analysis using structural equation models revealed that refraining from going out was a predictor of illness due to the fear of COVID-19. Decreased income predicted increased illness, but was not due to fear of COVID-19. These results suggested that the interaction between decreased time outside and increased fear of COVID-19 could affect illness. Our study suggests the role of fear of COVID-19 during pandemic and the socioeconomic impacts on mental health.

Mental health and psychological resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-cultural comparison of Japan, Malaysia, China, and the U.S.

BACKGROUND: The current study examined how psychological resilience acted as a buffer against mental health deterioration during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We conducted an online survey in four countries (Japan, Malaysia, China, and the U.S.) to examine how psychological resilience functions toward the maintenance of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We collected data from 1583 citizens from four countries via an online survey between October 14 and November 2, 2020. We gathered demographic data and measured mental distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) and fear of COVID-19. Data on sense of control, ego-resilience, grit, self-compassion, and resilience indicators were also collected. RESULTS: Sense of control was negatively associated with mental distress in all four countries. Self-compassion was negatively associated with mental distress in the samples from Japan, China, and the U.S. We also found an interaction effect for sense of control: the lower the sense of control, the stronger the deterioration of mental distress when the fear of COVID-19 was high. LIMITATIONS: This study's cross-sectional design precludes causal inferences. Further, lack of data from people who were actually infected with the virus limits comparisons of people who were and were not infected. Finally, as this study only compared data from four countries, comparisons with more countries are needed. CONCLUSIONS: A sense of control and self-compassion may help buffer against mental health deterioration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sense of control was consistently associated with mental health across cultures.

Benefits of group compassion-focused therapy for treatment-resistant depression: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Major depression is one of the most common mental health problems worldwide. More than one-third of patients suffer from treatment-resistant depression (TRD). In this study, we explored the feasibility of group compassion-focused therapy (CFT) for TRD using a randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups. Eighteen participants were randomly allocated to the intervention group (CFT and usual care) and control group (usual care alone) and a participant in each group withdrew. Participants in the intervention group received a 1.5-h session every week for 12 weeks. The effects of the intervention on the participants' scores were calculated using a linear mixed model. There was a larger reduction in their depressive symptoms and fears of compassion for self and a greater increase in their compassion for self compared to the control group participants. The reliable clinical indices showed that in the CFT (intervention) group, three of nine participants recovered (33%), two improved (22%), two recovered but non-reliably (22%), and the condition of two remained unchanged (22%). These findings indicate adequate feasibility of group CFT for TRD in Japanese clinical settings. Clinical trial registration: [https://clinicaltrials.gov/], identifier [UMIN 000028698].

Correction to: Interest Consistency Can Buffer the Effect of COVID-19 Fear on Psychological Distress.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s11469-021-00564-5.].

RE-COVER project: A survey on resilience, mental health, and fear of Covid-19 in four countries.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of people worldwide. Psychological resilience has been shown to buffer against the threat of the pandemic (i.e., COVID-19 fear) and sustain mental health. The extent to which psychological resilience factors impact mental health maintenance, however, is unclear, given broad differences in infection rates, prevention approaches, government interventions across different cultures and contexts. Our study examines resilience factors and how they protect individuals from COVID-19-related fear and sustain their mental health. DATA DESCRIPTION: Data were collected from 1583 (Mage = 32.22, SD = 12.90, Range = 19-82) respondents from Japan, China, the United States, and Malaysia between October to November 2020. We collected data across age and sex, marital status, number of children, and occupations. We also accounted for stay-at-home measures, change in income, COVID-19 infection status, place of residence, and subjective social status in the study. Our variables included mental health-related and resilience constructs, namely (i) fear of COVID-19, (ii) depression, anxiety, and stress; (iii) present, past, and future life satisfaction, (iv) sense of control, (v) positive emotions, (vi) ego-resilience, (vii) grit, (viii) self-compassion, (ix) passion, and (x) relational mobility. All questionnaires were assessed for their suitability across the four countries with the necessary translation checks. Results from this study can be instrumental in examining the impact of multiple resilience factors and their interaction with demographic variables in shaping mental health outcomes.

Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) across countries: Measurement invariance issues.

AIM: The threats of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have caused fears worldwide. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) was recently developed to assess the fear of COVID-19. Although many studies found that the FCV-19S is psychometrically sound, it is unclear whether the FCV-19S is invariant across countries. The present study aimed to examine the measurement invariance of the FCV-19S across eleven countries. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Using data collected from prior research on Bangladesh (N = 8,550), United Kingdom (N = 344), Brazil (N = 1,843), Taiwan (N = 539), Italy (N = 249), New Zealand (N = 317), Iran (N = 717), Cuba (N = 772), Pakistan (N = 937), Japan (N = 1,079) and France (N = 316), comprising a total 15,663 participants, the present study used the multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch differential item functioning (DIF) to examine the measurement invariance of the FCV-19S across country, gender and age (children aged below 18 years, young to middle-aged adults aged between 18 and 60 years, and older people aged above 60 years). RESULTS: The unidimensional structure of the FCV-19S was confirmed. Multigroup CFA showed that FCV-19S was partially invariant across country and fully invariant across gender and age. DIF findings were consistent with the findings from multigroup CFA. Many DIF items were displayed for country, few DIF items were displayed for age, and no DIF items were displayed for gender. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the present study, the FCV-19S is a good psychometric instrument to assess fear of COVID-19 during the pandemic period. Moreover, the use of FCV-19S is supported in at least ten countries with satisfactory psychometric properties.

Oral intake of Lactobacillus helveticus-fermented milk whey decreased transepidermal water loss and prevented the onset of sodium dodecylsulfate-induced dermatitis in mice.

We investigated the effects of oral intake of Lactobacillus helveticus-fermented milk whey on the intact and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)-exposed skin of Hos:HR-1 hairless mice. The mice were allowed to drink 10% L. helveticus-fermented milk whey in distilled water ad libitum for 5 weeks. SDS solution was topically applied to the dorsal skin at 4 weeks, leading to the development of dermatitis. The skin moisture content, transepidermal water loss, and sizes of the dermatitis areas were periodically measured. Compared with oral intake of water alone, oral intake of water containing L. helveticus-fermented milk whey for 4 weeks significantly lowered transepidermal water loss from intact skin, significantly reduced in size the areas of early SDS-induced dermatitis, and ameliorated both the SDS-induced decrease in moisture content and the increase in transepidermal water loss. These results suggest that oral intake of L. helveticus-fermented milk whey might be effective in promoting the epidermal barrier function and in preventing the onset of dermatitis.

Inhibitory effect of fermented milk on delayed-onset muscle damage after exercise.

Milk fermented with a starter containing Lactobacillus helveticus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae is drunk on a daily basis by many people in Japan and has several beneficial effects. We studied the influence of this fermented milk product on muscle damage after prolonged exercise in rats. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: rested controls, rested rats given fermented milk diet, exercised rats and exercised rats given fermented milk diet. After 3 weeks of acclimatization, both exercise groups were made to run on a treadmill at 26 m/min for 60 min. Exercise increased the serum creatine kinase level, as well as myeloperoxidase activity and the level of thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances in the gastrocnemius muscle after 24 h. These changes were ameliorated by intake of fermented milk. An increase of CINC-1 was also ameliorated by fermented milk. Furthermore, milk diet increased the mRNA and protein levels of protective proteins such as antioxidants and chaperone proteins. These results indicate that fermented milk can ameliorate delayed-onset muscle damage after prolonged exercise, which is associated with an increased antioxidant capacity of muscles.