Adjustment to the COVID-19 pandemic: associations with global and situational meaning.

COVID-19 has created pervasive upheaval and uncertainty in communities around the world. This investigation evaluated associations between discrete dimensions of personal meaning and psychological adjustment to the pandemic among community residents in a southern US state. In this cross-sectional study, 544 respondents were assessed during a period of reopening but accelerating infection rates. Validated measures were used to evaluate theoretically distinct dimensions of perceived global meaning (Meaning-in-Life Questionnaire) and pandemic-specific meaning (Meaning in Illness Scale). Adjustment outcomes included perceived stress, pandemic-related helplessness, and acceptance of the pandemic. In multivariate models that controlled for demographic and pandemic-related factors, stronger attained global meaning (i.e., perceptions that life is generally meaningful) and attained situational meaning (i.e., perceptions that the pandemic experience was comprehensible) were related to better adjustment on all three outcomes (all p's < .001). In contrast, seeking situational meaning (i.e., ongoing efforts to find coherence in the situation) was associated with poorer adjustment on all indices (all p's < .001). Results offer novel information regarding theoretically salient dimensions of meaning, which may have direct relevance for understanding how community residents adapt to the challenges of a major public health crisis.

Associations between physical activity, sleep, and self-reported health with burnout of medical students, faculty and staff in an academic health center.

Background and objectives: Health behaviors of physical activity and sleep are critical to the prevention of numerous chronic diseases. The health behaviors of healthcare professionals are even more critical, as healthcare providers who practice positive health behaviors are more likely to promote these healthy behaviors in their patients. Aims: To assess the health status and health behaviors of medical students, faculty, and staff in an academic health center in the US, and examine the associations between behaviors, physical and mental health outcomes and burnout. Methods: Students, faculty, residents and staff from a large university medical system completed an online survey between late-September and mid-November 2019. Associations were examined between health behaviors and health status including mental health outcomes with burnout. Results: Participating in any leisure time physical activity and having a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score < 5 were associated with fewer physical health conditions and lower odds of reporting pain at any site (n = 2060; students n = 242, residents n = 32, staff n = 1425, faculty n = 361). Leisure physical activity and fewer sleep symptoms were associated with fewer reported depressive, anxiety and stress-related symptoms. Participating in leisure physical activity and good-quality sleep were associated with lower odds of burnout. Conclusions: The current study found high rates of physical inactivity and poor sleep among medical students, faculty and staff at an academic health center. These health behaviors were associated with poor mental health and high burnout. Programs and policies are needed improve these health behaviors to reduce burnout. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11332-022-00902-7.

Psychometric Properties of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory in an Academic Healthcare Institution Sample in the U.S.

The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) has demonstrated good psychometric properties among respondents in many different countries, but minimal research exists using the CBI in a U.S.-based sample. The current study represents a secondary analysis of existing CBI data from 1,679 academic health center employees at one mid-size teaching hospital in the southeastern region of the U.S. Analyses assessed CBI scale reliability, confirmatory factorial validity, discriminant validity against a measure of meaningful work, and test invariance for professional role sub-groups (physicians, nurses/physician assistants, and other hospital staff), gender groups, and different age groups. Results provided evidence for good reliability and discriminant validity as well as construct validity supporting the CBI proposed three-factor structure. Configural and metric variance equivalence were demonstrated across the range of employee types, and across age and gender groups. Scalar invariance equivalence was not established, suggesting further research may be needed to support group mean comparisons using the CBI.

Anxiety, depressive, and trauma symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evaluating the role of disappointment with God.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to pervasive social and economic disruptions. This cross-sectional investigation aimed to evaluate associations between religious/spiritual factors and mental health symptoms among community residents in a southern US state. In particular, we focused on perceptions of God's distance, a salient aspect of religious/spiritual struggle that has received little scrutiny in health research. METHODS: Participants included 551 respondents assessed during a period of gradual reopening but rising infection rates. Mental health outcomes were assessed using standardized measures of generalized anxiety, depression, and trauma symptoms. Perceptions of an affirming relationship with God, anger at God, and disappointment at God's distance were evaluated using an adapted version of the Attitudes-Toward-God Scale-9. RESULTS: In multivariate analyses that accounted for pandemic-related and demographic factors, positive relationships with God were related to diminished symptoms on all three mental heatlh indices (all p's ≤.003), whereas disappointment with God's distance was associated with more pronounced difficulties (all p's ≤.014). LIMTATIONS: The cross-sectional design precludes causal conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that perceived relationships with God are tied to clinically relevant mental health outcomes during periods of major upheaval. Disappointment with God's distance may be an important, understudied dimension of religious/spiritual struggle meriting further investigation.

Mental health outcomes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic: Prevalence and risk factors in a southern US state.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic effect on the functioning of individuals and institutions around the world. This cross-sectional registry-based study examined some of the burdens of the pandemic, the prevalence of mental health difficulties, and risk factors for psychosocial morbidity among community residents in Arkansas. The study focused on a period of gradual reopening but rising infection rates. The investigation included validated screening measures of depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), generalized anxiety (GAD-7), trauma-related symptoms (PCL-5), and alcohol use (AUDIT-C). A notable percentage of participants reported elevated symptoms on each of these outcomes. In separate multivariable analyses that accounted for a number of demographic and pandemic-related covariates, individuals who reported greater pandemic-related disruption in daily life, and those with a prior history of mental health concerns, were more likely to screen positive for depressive, anxiety and trauma-related symptoms. Findings illuminate burdens experienced by community residents during a period of phased reopening, and offer a foundation for future screening and intervention initiatives.

A case-control study of the prevalence of neurological diseases in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Neurological diseases are common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, but their exact prevalence is unknown. Method We prospectively evaluated the presence of neurological disorders in 121 patients with IBD [51 with Crohn's disease (CD) and 70 with ulcerative colitis (UC)] and 50 controls (gastritis and dyspepsia) over 3 years. Results Our standard neurological evaluation (that included electrodiagnostic testing) revealed that CD patients were 7.4 times more likely to develop large-fiber neuropathy than controls (p = 0.045), 7.1 times more likely to develop any type of neuromuscular condition (p = 0.001) and 5.1 times more likely to develop autonomic complaints (p = 0.027). UC patients were 5 times more likely to develop large-fiber neuropathy (p = 0.027) and 3.1 times more likely to develop any type of neuromuscular condition (p = 0.015). Conclusion In summary, this is the first study to prospectively establish that both CD and UC patients are more prone to neuromuscular diseases than patients with gastritis and dyspepsia.

A Case-Control study of the prevalence of neurological diseases in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) / Um estudo de caso-controle da prevalência de doenças neurológicas na doença inflamatória intestinal (DII)

Neurological diseases are common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, but their exact prevalence is unknown. Method We prospectively evaluated the presence of neurological disorders in 121 patients with IBD [51 with Crohn's disease (CD) and 70 with ulcerative colitis (UC)] and 50 controls (gastritis and dyspepsia) over 3 years. Results Our standard neurological evaluation (that included electrodiagnostic testing) revealed that CD patients were 7.4 times more likely to develop large-fiber neuropathy than controls (p = 0.045), 7.1 times more likely to develop any type of neuromuscular condition (p = 0.001) and 5.1 times more likely to develop autonomic complaints (p = 0.027). UC patients were 5 times more likely to develop large-fiber neuropathy (p = 0.027) and 3.1 times more likely to develop any type of neuromuscular condition (p = 0.015). Conclusion In summary, this is the first study to prospectively establish that both CD and UC patients are more prone to neuromuscular diseases than patients with gastritis and dyspepsia. .

Doenças neurológicas são comuns em pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal (DII), mas sua prevalência exata é desconhecida. Métodos Nós estudamos prospectivamente a presença de distúrbios neurológicos em 121 pacientes com DII [51 com doença de Crohn (DC) e 70 com colite ulcerativa (RCU)] e 50 controles (gastrite e dispepsia) ao longo de 3 anos. Resultados A avaliação neurológica padronizada (que incluiu testes eletrodiagnósticos) demonstrou que pacientes com DC foram 7,4 vezes mais propensos a desenvolver neuropatias de fibras grossas do que os controles (p = 0,045), 7,1 vezes mais propensos a desenvolver qualquer tipo de condição neuromuscular (p = 0,001) e 5,1 vezes mais propensos a desenvolver queixas autonômicas (p = 0,027). Pacientes com RCU foram 5 vezes mais propensos de desenvolver neuropatia de fibras grossas (p = 0,027) e 3,1 vezes mais propensos a desenvolver qualquer tipo de condição neuromuscular (p = 0,015). Conclusão Em resumo, este é o primeiro estudo prospectivo a estabelecer que os pacientes tanto com DC quanto de RCU são mais propensos a doenças neuromusculares do que os pacientes com gastrite e dispepsia. .

Asthma and suicidal ideation with and without suicide attempts among adults in the United States: what is the role of cigarette smoking and mental disorders?

BACKGROUND: Evidence of a respiratory diseases and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts link exists. To improve our understanding of the mechanism underlying these links, there is a need for examination of the relationship between specific respiratory disease, such as asthma, and suicidal ideation and behavior. In addition, studies need to examine many common risk factors that may play a role in the association between asthma and suicidal ideation and suicide behavior. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between asthma and suicidal ideation with and without attempts among adults in the United States, specifically investigating the role of cigarette smoking, nicotine dependence, depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse. METHODS: Data on 5,692 individuals 18 years and older were drawn from the US National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the study objectives. RESULTS: The estimates of lifetime prevalence for suicidal ideation without and with attempts and asthma were 8.7%, 4.2%, and 12.0%, respectively. Being a woman, a current smoker, depressed, anxious, an alcohol abuser, or nicotine dependent increased the likelihood of suicidal ideation with attempts and asthma. Asthma was significantly (P < .001) associated with suicidal ideation with but not without attempts. Adjustment for smoking, nicotine dependence, age, sex, and race/ethnicity decreased the association between asthma and suicidal ideation with attempts by 16%. Similarly, adjustment for depression, panic disorder, and alcohol abuse led to a 12.4% decrease in this relationship. Despite these adjustments, independently or combined, a statistically significant (P = .02) association remained between asthma and suicidal ideation with attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking and concurrent mental health conditions may independently account for significant proportions of the association between asthma and suicidal ideation with attempts. More research is needed to further elucidate the mechanism of the remaining association between asthma and suicide attempts. Modification of smoking behaviors and effective treatment of depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse, and possibly asthma are important suicide prevention strategies.

Epidemiology of schizophrenia: review of findings and myths.

By describing patterns of disease distribution within populations, identifying risk factors, and finding associations, epidemiologic studies have contributed to the current understanding of schizophrenia. Advanced paternal age and the association with autoimmune diseases are some of the newly described epidemiologic findings shaping the current definition of schizophrenia. Although early intervention strategies have gained momentum, primary prevention of schizophrenia still seems a very distant aspiration. This article reviews the major epidemiological features of schizophrenia, with particular attention to the recent advances using population-based data. It also discusses some pervasive misconceptions about schizophrenia epidemiology, such as universal distribution and gender equality.

Critérios adotados na decisao de internar em emergência psiqui trica / Variables related to the decision to admit in the psychiatric emergency room in Brazil

A importância de vari veis demogr ficas, clínicas e contextuais na decisäo de hospitalizar feita em emergência psiqui trica foi avaliada neste trabalho. Os prontu rios de 481 pacientes atendidos na Emergência do Hospital de Saúde Mental de Messejana, em Fortaleza, durante um período de duas semanas, foram analisados retrospectivamente. Dos 481 pacientes examinados, 60 foram internados. A importância das vari veis relacionadas com a decisäo de internar foi examinada através da regressäo logística. Os resultados demonstram que cinco vari veis estäo mais associadas com a decisäo de internar: concordância do paciente com o internamento, escore baixo na escala de avaliaçäo funcional, concordância da família com o internamento, procedência do interior do Estado, violência demonstrada na ocasiäo da consulta de emergência. Ao contr rio de outros centros, esta pesquisa demonstra que o diagnóstico näo é uma das principais vari veis na decisäo de internar. Conclui-se que a decisäo de internar nesta amostra brasileira obedece a critérios diferentes de outros países