Virtual Platform Adaptation of Perinatal Depression Support Group: A Quality Improvement Study

INTRODUCTION: Group therapy interventions have shown to improve scores on postpartum depression and anxiety inventories. Our institution underwent transition from in-person (IP) to virtual platform (VP) over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study's objective is to examine whether VP has similar participation rates and outcomes as IP. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of women who attended the perinatal mood disorders (PMD) support group. Between January 2019 and June 2021, the group transitioned from IP to VP sessions. Participants attending both IP and VP sessions were excluded. The participation rates and outcomes of IP and VP support groups were compared. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS) and Mills Inventory (MI) were used to assess clinical improvement. P value of.05 is considered significant. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-seven women (85 [62%] IP and 52 [38%] VP) participated. Baseline characteristics were similar (P >.05). Most of the participants were 1–6 months postpartum (P =.38). The average number of sessions attended by IP was 3.86 versus 3.76 by VP (P =.41). The preintervention average EPDS scores were 15.56 in IP versus 14.76 in VP (P =.79), and MI scores were 52.48 (IP) versus 46.06 in VP (P =.07). The EPDS and MI mean scores decreased postintervention. The average decrease in EPDS score is 5.08 in IP versus 6 in VP (P =.36). The average decrease in MI score is 17.86 in IP versus 15.56 in VP (P =.25). CONCLUSION: The VP has similar participation and outcomes as IP format. The VP is a feasible and effective method of delivering support to women with PMD. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Obstetrics & Gynecology is the property of Lippincott Williams & Wilkins and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Difficulty in work practices and depression due to the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the incidence of serious social mental health problems such as depression. Changes to the way we work, such as telework, are potential factors for mental health problems. This study's aim was to investigate the relationship between difficulties adjusting to new work styles and depression among job workers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a web-questionnaire survey of 919 Japanese workers (May 2020) using the snowball sampling method. A hierarchical logistic regression analysis using a dependent variable (depression), an independent variable (difficulty in work practices), and adjustment variables (gender, age, working practices, and coping) found that those who had difficulty "communicating with boss, colleagues, and subordinates" and "switching on and off" were more likely to be depressed. This study shows that there was a relationship between difficulty in work practices and depression during the pandemic. Given this study's limitations, it is hoped that the influence of region and occupation on depression will be examined by recruiting a wide range of participants in the future. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Depression in patients with cerebral microangiopathy.

Cerebral microangiopathy (CMA) is one of the significant causes of depression in the elderly. Close associations of the risk of developing depression with white matter hyperintensity, the presence of lacunar infarcts, and other markers of vascular disease are shown. The available data suggest that various vascular mechanisms, in particular, involvement of small vessels of the brain, generalized microvascular and endothelial dysfunction, metabolic risk factors, - are risk factors for the development of depression. Pathogenetic mechanisms include cerebral hypoperfusion and immune dysregulation. Depression is also a common complication of coronavirus infection, occurring both in the acute and post-COVID periods. The same mechanisms as in vascular depression are involved in the pathogenesis of the development of post-COVID depressive disorders. Given the complexity of the mechanisms of development of depressive disorders in patients with CMA, the presence of severe comorbid vascular pathology, antidepressants with an optimal ratio of efficacy and safety should be preferred. Agomelatine (Valdoxan) is one of such drugs.Copyright © 2023 Ima-Press Publishing House. All rights reserved.

The Role of COVID-19-Associated Fear, Stress and Level of Social Support in Development of Suicidality in Patients Diagnosed with Affective and Stress-Induced Psychiatric Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Comparative Analysis.

Only a few studies seem to address suicidality as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in persons previously affected by psychiatric disorders. The relationship between fear and stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the level of social support and suicidality in patients diagnosed with affective and stress-induced psychiatric disorders prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated. This study was observational and involved 100 participants. The examined period was from April 2020 to April 2022. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), the Oslo Social Support Scale 3 (OSSS-3) and general psychiatric interviews were used to obtain data. A statistically significant relationship between the impact of COVID-19-related distress on the occurrence of suicidality and the year of the pandemic χ2(2, N = 100) = 8.347, p = 0.015 was observed. No statistically significant correlation was found between suicidal behavior, stress intensity, fear and the score on the social support scale (p > 0.05). Fear related to the COVID-19 pandemic can only be seen as a contributor to suicidality. Overall, social support does not always act protectively. Previously stressful experiences such as wars, poverty and natural disasters seem to play a significant role in the resilience to each new public health crisis.

Socio-emotional, cognitive, affective disorders and substance use in a sample of students in first- and second-grade high school in Italy: A comparison among students', parents', and teachers' perceptions

The closure of schools, social hubs, and extracurricular activities due to lockdown measures imposed to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2, has increased the risk factors for students' mental health. This cross-sectional study, conducted from March 2020 to March 2021, aimed to estimate socio-emotional, cognitive, and affective disorders and substance use in a sample of first- and second-grade high school students in Northern Italy. This study compared data from 284 Italian students' self-perceptions along with the perceptions of their parents and teachers through a web-based survey. The differences in the perceptions of the three groups (students, parents, and teachers) were analyzed using an analysis of variance test, applying a Bonferroni correction. The chi(2) test was used to assess the comparison between students, parents, and teachers in the substance use questions. The results showed statistically significant differences among the three groups. The most important outcomes were sociality, scholastic performance, extracurricular activity, emotional symptoms, affective disorders (depression and anxiety), and substance use. These findings could be interesting for the promotion of mental health and prevention of psychopathological risks in students.

Prevention and early treatment of depression through the life course

This book presents current evidence of new perspectives for the prevention and appropriate management of depression in people across the life course. Special attention has been dedicated to facilitating factors for the development of health system capacity and the effectiveness of the different types of interventions. The first part of the book reviews the innovations in global prevention and non-pharmacological treatments for children, adolescents, and youths. The second part reviews interventions for adults across the lifespan, including older adults and caregivers. Despite the efforts to tackle depression, the COVID-19 pandemic directly or indirectly affected the mental health of the population, including an increase in the incidence of depressive disorders, which are underdiagnosed and undertreated in young and older people. Because of the characteristics of adolescence and older adulthood, people can consider depression signs and symptoms as natural, neglecting a proper diagnosis. To address these challenges in the clinical management of depression, Prevention and Early Treatment of Depression Through the Life Course presents a life course perspective on the analysis and treatment of depression to help clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals understand the mechanisms associated with the onset of depression and identify/develop proper evidence-based treatments for different ages and in different circumstances. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Health of People with Mental Disorders

The aim of the review was to analyze published studies on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health status (mental and physical) of people with mental disorders. Materials and methods: by keywords "COVID-19”, "depressive disorders”, "affective disorders”, "schizophrenia”, "anxiety disorders” search for papers in English and Russian in the databases MEDLINE/ PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, eLibrary for the period from 2017 to 2022 was carried out. Conclusion: the analysis of published works has demonstrated that factors such as social distancing, isolation, or changing the availability of medical services can have a signifi cant infl uence on the health of people with mental disorders. It has been established that people suffering from mental illness are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, they have less effective post-vaccination immunity and have a more severe course of the disease. The past coronavirus infection can lead to both an increase in pre-existing symptoms of a mental disorder, and the emergence of new ones. Possible physiological mechanisms of mental disorders after past COVID-19 include a wide range of pathogenetic processes: from prolonged systemic infl ammation of varying intensity to vascular microthrombosis and neurodegenerative changes. Cognitive impairment during COVID-19, associated with damage to brain structures by the virus, may exacerbate existing psychopathological symptoms. The special features of psychopathological symptoms that develop in response to a pandemic situation are closely related to the structure of the previous mental status of patients, and therefore the types of psychosocial assistance needed is different for people with various mental disorders. © 2023, Psychiatry (Moscow). All Rights Reserved.

Health disparities among rural individuals with mental health conditions: A systematic literature review

There is growing concern about the availability of health care services for rural patients. This systematic literature review evaluates original research on health disparities among rural and urban populations with mental health (MH) conditions in North America. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reveiws and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we used four electronic databases (Pubmed, Cochrane, APA PsycInfo, Web of Science) and hand searches and included original research conducted in the United States or Canada before July 2021 that compared health outcomes of patients with any mental health disorder in rural versus nonrural areas. Both qualitative and quantitative data were extracted including demographics, mental health condition, health disparity measure, rural definition, health outcome measures/main findings, and delivery method. To evaluate study quality, the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used. Our initial search returned 491 studies, and 17 studies met final inclusion criteria. Mental health disorders included schizophrenia (4 studies), posttraumatic stress disorder (10), mood disorders (9), and anxiety disorders (6). Total sample size was 5,314,818 with the majority being military veterans. Six studies (35.2%) showed no significant rural-urban disparities, while 11 (64.7%) identified at least one. Of those, nine reported worse outcomes for rural patients. The most common disparities were diagnostic differences, increased suicide rates, and access problems. This review found mixed results regarding outcomes in rural patients with mental health disorders. Disparities were found regarding risk of suicide and access to services. Telehealth in addition to in-person outreach to these rural communities may be alternative to impact these outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement This critical review of the literature highlights that health disparities such as suicide rates/ideation, access to care, and utilization of mental health services are essential factors that put some subsets of rural patients compared to urban patients at a disadvantage. There is still a significant need for more research post COVID-19 on the use of telepsychiatry and rural health populations with mental health conditions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Olfactory-related quality of life impacts psychological distress in people with COVID-19: The affective implications of olfactory dysfunctions.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) often causes chemosensory impairment, and olfactory dysfunctions may have negative consequences on psychological distress. This study aimed at assessing which dimension of perceived olfactory disfunctions (i.e., subjective olfactory capability, smell-related problems, or olfactory-related quality of life [QoL]) was most associated with psychological distress in people diagnosed with COVID-19. METHODS: 364 participants (65 men and 299 women) diagnosed with COVID-19 on average 7 months prior to the beginning of the study were recruited between June 5 and 21, 2021, to take part in an online cross-sectional survey. Participants answered questions on demographics, clinical factors, perceived olfactory functioning, and psychological distress. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was conducted, assessing the role of demographics, clinical factors, and perceived olfactory functioning dimensions on psychological distress. RESULTS: More than half of the participants met the cut-off for all perceived olfactory dysfunctions scales and psychological distress. Being women, smoker, with comorbidities, and greater severity of COVID-19 symptoms were associated with higher scores on psychological distress. Among perceived olfactory functioning scales, only impairment in olfaction QoL was associated with psychological distress. LIMITATIONS: Limitations concerned the cross-sectional nature of the study and the unbalanced sample in terms of gender. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed the core intertwining between mood, perceived QoL, and olfactory functioning, showing how impairments in olfactory processing are strongly correlated with psychological distress through the impact they have on the perceived QoL.

Telehealth: a new opportunity for out-patient psychiatric services

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems rapidly embraced technology as a means of providing care while adhering to social distancing protocols. In this brief article, we report on a new telehealth initiative recently implemented in an out-patient psychiatric setting and outline the novel role telehealth may serve in facilitating psychiatric care globally. The uptake of telehealth represents a new and exciting opportunity to increase both access to, and quality of, care for people with mental illness. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of BJPsych International is the property of Cambridge University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Influences of COVID-19 lockdown on mental health in occupational therapy undergrad students / Influencias del confinamiento por COVID-19 sobre la salud mental en estudiantes de grado de terapia ocupacional / Influências do confinamento COVID-19 na saúde mental de estudantes de graduação em terapia ocupacional

Resumen Introducción Los años de universidad son un periodo de desarrollo crucial para la transición de la adolescencia a la adultez, por eso existe una creciente preocupación sobre la salud mental de los estudiantes. El COVID-19 puso en situación de vulnerabilidad a esta población, con aumento del riesgo de depresión, ansiedad o estrés. Objetivo Aunque los estudios sobre los efectos de la pandemia y sus consecuencias sobre la salud mental se publican de manera exponencial, existen pocos centrados en estudiantes de ciencias de la salud. Por ello, se enfoca esta temática en estudiantes de Grado en Terapia Ocupacional para explorar los efectos sobre la salud mental en la etapa de confinamiento inicial. Método Partiendo de la hipótesis de que el confinamiento ha podido poner en situación vulnerable a los estudiantes universitarios, se realizó un estudio cuantitativo longitudinal con estudiantes del Grado de Terapia Ocupacional en base a los cuestionarios General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Escala de Felicidad Subjetiva (SHS) y la Escala de Desesperanza de Beck. Resultados Los resultados mostraron una mejoría en las diferentes escalas entre los años 2019 y 2020, con relaciones estadísticamente significativas entre el estado de confinamiento y una reducción del riesgo de depresión a su finalización. Conclusiones Esta relación sugiere dudas sobre la temporalidad y la medición de los resultados siendo posible queque el confinamiento tuviera aspectos positivos en algunas de las dimensiones de la salud mental, dada su relación con la falta de aislamiento social en muchos casos, el establecimiento de rutinas y la reincorporación a la docencia presencial.

Resumo Introdução Os anos universitários são um período de desenvolvimento crucial para a transição da adolescência para a idade adulta, razão pela qual é crescente a preocupação com a saúde mental dos estudantes. A COVID-19 coloca esta população numa situação vulnerável, com risco acrescido de depressão, ansiedade ou stress. Objetivo Embora estudos sobre os efeitos da pandemia e suas consequências na saúde mental sejam publicados de forma exponencial, poucos são os voltados para estudantes de ciências da saúde. Por este motivo, aborda-se esta temática em alunos de graduação em terapia ocupacional para explorar os efeitos na saúde mental em fase inicial de confinamento. Método Partindo da hipótese de que o confinamento tem sido capaz de colocar estudantes universitários em situação de vulnerabilidade, foi realizado um estudo quantitativo longitudinal com estudantes do Curso Graduação em Terapia Ocupacional com base no General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Escala de Felicidade Subjetiva (SHS) e Escala de Desesperança de Beck. Resultados Os resultados mostraram uma melhora nas diferentes escalas entre os anos de 2019 e 2020, com relações estatisticamente significativas entre o estado de confinamento e a redução do risco de depressão ao final. Conclusão Esta relação sugere dúvidas sobre a temporalidade e a mensuração dos resultados, sendo possível que o confinamento tenha tido aspectos positivos em algumas das dimensões da saúde mental, dada sua relação com a falta de isolamento social, em muitos casos, o estabelecimento de rotinas e o retorno ao ensino presencial.

Abstract Introduction The university years are a crucial period of development for the transition from adolescence to adulthood, which is why there is a growing concern for the mental health of students. COVID-19 places this population in a vulnerable situation, with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, or stress. Objective Although studies on the effects of the pandemic and its consequences on mental health are published exponentially, few studies focus on students in health sciences. Therefore, we aimed the approach of these issues regarding undergraduates from the Degree of Occupational Therapy to explore the effects of the national lockdown on mental health. Method Based on the hypothesis that confinement may have made university students vulnerable, a quantitative longitudinal study was conducted with students of the Occupational Therapy Degree based on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) and Beck's Scale of Hopelessness (BSH). Results The results showed an improvement in the different scales between 2019 and 2020, with statistically significant relationships between the state of confinement and a reduction in the risk of depression at its end. Conclusions This relationship suggests doubts about the temporality and measurement of the results since it is possible that confinement had positive aspects in some of the dimensions of mental health, given its relationship with the lack of social isolation in many cases, the establishment of routines and the return to face-to-face teaching.

Attachment Style, Affective Temperament, and Psychological Distress among Mental Health Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The nursing staff is more likely to experience drastic stress, which can compromise their physical and mental health and affect the quality of their work. This study aimed to assess the attachment type and affective temperament in connection to the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychiatric hospital nurses. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey utilizing a convenience sample population of 100 nurses who served on the front lines during the COVID-19 outbreak. The key findings showed that most nurses reported moderate attachment anxiety, moderate affective temperament, and mild psychological distress. It is crucial to offer nurses psychological support during COVID-19 through various channels.

Management of depression: A daily challenge in psychiatric emergencies

Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in the general population, and emergency room visits for depression have been increasing for several years. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic may lead to an explosion of psychiatric emergency room visits for this reason, with an overall prevalence of anxiety and depression that appears to be increasing since 2020. The Centre Psychiatrique d'Orientation et d'Accueil is a regional psychiatric emergency service located in Paris which records approximately 10,000 consultations per year. Among these consultations, the main symptoms are those of depression (depressive ideations, anxiety) and nearly 40 % are diagnosed with mood disorders, including depression. The management of the patient in the emergency room is based on a global evaluation, which should not be limited to the psychiatric interview. In the best case, and if compatible with the organization of the service, an initial evaluation by the nursing reception staff determines the context of the arrival of the patient, the reason and the degree of urgency of the consultation can thus be assessed from the outset. The request for care can come from the patient themself, but also from family and friends who are worried about a decline in the patient's previous condition. The consultation may also be triggered by the intervention of emergency services, particularly in the case of attempted suicide or agitation. The context of arrival, the environment, and the patient's entourage must be taken into account in order to achieve an optimal orientation. Particular attention must be paid to the first episodes (elimination of a differential diagnosis, screening for a possible bipolar disorder). The existence of an external causal factor or a comorbid personality disorder should not trivialize the consultation and lead to a faulty diagnosis of a characterized depressive episode. Drug treatment in the emergency room is usually symptomatic (anxiolytic treatment with benzodiazepines or neuroleptics, depending on the situation), and outpatient referral should always be preferred. Therapeutic adaptations can then be considered. The decision to hospitalize must always be justified, and consent for care must be rigorously evaluated. It is almost always necessary to take the patient's entourage into account as well as the potential support of the patient by the entourage. All these elements must be recorded in the file. Suicide risk assessment must be systematic for all patients consulting psychiatric emergencies, and the use of the RUD (Risk, Urgency, Dangerousness) grid can be useful. Any decision to release a patient with suicidal tendencies must be made strictly following certain conditions:a rapid psychiatric re-evaluation of the crisis, with for example the proposal of a post-emergency consultation, a supportive entourage, accepted symptomatic treatment. The registration of the suicidal patient in a monitoring system such as VigilanS can also be beneficial and reduce the risk of recidivism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Abstract (French) La depression est le trouble psychiatrique le plus frequent dans la population generale, et les consultations aux urgences pour depression seraient en hausse depuis plusieurs annees. Le Centre Psychiatrique d'Orientation et d'Accueil est un service d'urgences psychiatriques a vocation regionale situe a Paris qui recense environ 10 000 consultations par an. Parmi ces consultations, on retrouve pres de 40 % de diagnostics de troubles de l'humeur. La prise en charge du patient aux urgences repose sur une evaluation globale, qui ne doit pas se limiter a l'entretien psychiatrique. Le contexte d'arrivee, l'environnement et l'entourage du patient doivent etre pris en compte afin d'aboutir a une orientation optimale. Une attention particuliere doit etre portee aux premiers episodes (elimination d'un diagnostic differentiel, depistage d'un eventuel trouble bipolaire) et a l'evaluation du risque suicidaire. L'existence d'un facteur causal externe ou d'un trouble de personnalite comorbide ne doit pas faire banaliser la consultation et mener a un sous-diagnostic de depression caracterisee. Le traitement medicamenteux aux urgences est le plus souvent symptomatique (traitement anxiolytique par benzodiazepines ou neuroleptiques selon les situations), et l'orientation ambulatoire doit toujours etre privilegiee. Des adaptations therapeutiques peuvent alors etre envisagees. La decision d'une hospitalisation doit toujours etre argumentee, et le consentement aux soins rigoureusement evalue. La prise en compte et eventuellement l'accompagnement de l'entourage sont presque toujours necessaires. Tous ces elements doivent etre argumentes dans le dossier. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Engaged women's relationships, weddings, and mental health during Covid-19

We examined the association between mental health and relationship and wedding factors among engaged women planning their weddings before and during Covid-19. Survey data from 715 non-Covid-19 and 427 Covid-19 participants revealed that Covid-19 participants experienced depression in greater proportion than non-Covid-19 participants. Wedding satisfaction and financial strain were stronger predictors of depression for Covid-19 than non-Covid-19 participants. Other significant predictors of Covid-19 participants' depression included social isolation, relational satisfaction and turbulence, and wedding disillusionment. Additionally, 22.0% of Covid-19 participants reported severe levels of anxiety, which was significantly predicted by social isolation, relational turbulence, wedding financial strain, wedding disillusionment, and wedding satisfaction. According to Covid-19 participants' open-ended responses, less depressed participants liked something better about their revised wedding plans, more anxious participants could not identify positive aspects of their revised plans, and less anxious participants appreciated the perspective that came with revising wedding plans due to Covid-19. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Psychometric and factorial validity of the International Adjustment Disorder Questionnaire (IADQ) in an Italian sample: A validation and prevalence estimate study.

INTRODUCTION: Adjustment disorder (AjD) is a is a maladaptive emotional or behavioural reaction to a stressful event or change in a person's life. Compared to other previously validated tools, the International Adjustment Disorder Questionnaire (IADQ) stands out as one of the most reliable and handy one for AjD. Since no homologous instrument exists now, in this study, we aimed to validate an Italian version of the IADQ. METHODS: Twenty-one thousand two hundred and six subjects (80.4% females) during the initial stages of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic were recruited. We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), testing two latent models, a monofactorial and a bifactorial one. Concurrent validity by correlating the total and the two factors' scores with measures of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress was then estimated. We finally estimated the rates of AjD among the population, and a binary logistic regression was conducted to analyse the predictors of such disorder. RESULTS: CFA showed a bifactorial validity, with both excellent incremental and comparative fit indices. The IADQ scores correlated strongly with symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. In the Italian sample, the prevalence of probable AjD was 8.23%. Female gender, being engaged, widowed and having COVID-19-related stressors resulted as significant independent risk factors for AjD. CONCLUSIONS: IADQ is an easy-to-use, brief and psychometrically sound self-report measure for AjD. Thus, it may be considered a reliable tool for both research and clinical settings. To the best of our knowledge, our study reported for the first time the prevalence of AjD during COVID-19 pandemic.

Loneliness, affective disorders, suicidal ideation, and the use of psychoactive substances in a sample of adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

PROBLEM: The global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been challenging for adolescents. Indeed, with the closure of schools and social centers and reduction of extracurricular activities, increased social isolation has compounded difficulties in and with school performance, loneliness, and social networking. Increased risk of mental health problems, substance abuse, affective disorders, suicidal ideation, and suicide has been reported in adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study assesses the association between loneliness, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, the use of social networks, and school achievement in a sample of Italian adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study also explores emotional dysregulation through the association between affective disorders (depression and anxiety), substance use, and social networks. The sample comprises adolescents in the first and second grades of high school during the pandemic; participants received an email explaining the purpose of the e-research. Data were collected using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment, and the Loneliness Scale. FINDINGS: A total of 505 adolescents completed the web survey. Data revealed that students experienced difficulties with loneliness, problems with school achievement, and extracurricular activities. The mean scores for depression and anxiety were close to the borderline range. A total of 14.3% of adolescents intentionally harmed themselves or attempted suicide. CONCLUSIONS: This study raises concerns about the impacts of the pandemic on adolescents that require the attention of adult reference figures who deal with adolescents, such as parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals. Results indicate the necessity of providing early interventions aimed at the prevention of psychopathologies and the promotion of adolescent mental health due to the pandemic.

Mood disorders in higher education in Flanders during the 2nd and 3rd COVID-19 wave: Prevalence and help-seeking: Findings from the Flemish College Surveys (FLeCS).

To examine the prevalence of 12-month mood disorders and receipt of mental health treatment among a volunteer sample of higher education students during the 2nd and 3rd COVID-19 wave in the Flanders region. Web-based self-report surveys were obtained from 9101 students in higher education in the Flemish College Surveys (FLeCS) in Flanders, Belgium. As part of the World Health Organization's World Mental Health-International College Student Initiative, we screened for 12-month mood disorders (major depressive episode (MDE), mania/hypomania), and service use. We used poststratification weights to generate population-representative data on key socio-demographic characteristics. 50.6% of the respondents screened positive for 12-month mood disorders (46.8% MDE, of which 22.9% with very severe impact). Use of services was very low, with estimates of 35.4% for MDE, 31.7% for mania, and 25.5% for hypomania. Even among students with very severe disorders, treatment rates were never higher than 48.3%. Most common barriers for not using services were: the preference to handle the problem alone (83.4%) and not knowing where to seek professional help (79.8%). We found a high unmet need for mood problems among college students; though caution is needed in interpreting these findings given the volunteer nature of the sample. A reallocation of treatment resources for higher education students should be considered, particulary services that focus on innovative, low-threshold, and scalable interventions.

Impact of dialectical behavior therapy on depression and anxiety in patients following COVID-19 discharge

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on mental health including anxiety and depression and can weaken the immune system and make a person more vulnerable to the disease. Psychotherapy techniques have been effective in reducing these disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of dialectical behavior therapy on depression and anxiety in patients discharged from COVID-19. Methods: It was a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The statistical population consisted of 30 men who underwent COVID -19 disease quarantine. Convenience sampling was used and the patients were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, dialectical behavior therapy was performed in 10 sessions of 90 minutes. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software and multivariate analysis of variance. Results: There was a significant difference between the mean scores of depression and anxiety in the experimental and control groups (p < 0.001). The effect of this treatment on reducing the score of depression was 68% and on reducing the score of anxiety was 54%. Conclusion: Dialectical behavior therapy can reduce anxiety and depression in patients with COVID-19 disease. It is suggested that this intervention can be used in psychological treatment programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

COVID-19 and healthcare professionals: The psychological impact of the pandemic on healthcare professionals and the use of EMDR early interventions

Recent research has provided new information on the impact of COVID-19 and previous pandemics on the mental health of healthcare professionals (HCP). Several studies have found that HCP are greatly affected by pandemics and may develop anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The stress caused by the intense working conditions and the fear of contracting and transmitting the virus are major vulnerability factors for these workers, increasing their risk of developing a mental health condition. It is therefore essential to provide appropriate support to this population in order to reduce and avoid the psychological burden of the current pandemic on their mental health. Considering the data previously published on the COVID-19 pandemic and past epidemics, the present article aims to provide an epidemiological review of the psychological impact of a pandemic on healthcare professionals. Furthermore, it examines, from a theoretical perspective, whether EMDR early interventions (EEI) may constitute an effective solution in order to provide psychological support to HCP in hospitals. Lastly, the article will identify various protocols for EEI, which, it argues, should be the approaches of choice for providing early support following a potentially traumatic event. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Sedentary lifestyle may contribute to the risk of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Social exclusion usually contributes to an increased vulnerability to mental health problems and risky health behaviors. This study aims to identify the role of health behavior in the increased risk of depressive symptoms among adolescents during the coronavirus pandemic in Hungary. Methods: A total of 705 high school students participated in our study (M = 15.9 years;SD = 1.19). The self-administered questionnaire included items about sociodemographics, eating habits, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and substance use. Depressive symptoms were measured using the short version of the Child Depression Inventory. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to analyze our results. Results: Daily fruit and vegetable consumption was reported by 21.7% and 22.4% of respondents, respectively. The proportion of the respondents reporting daily sweets consumption stood at 13.2%, daily soft drinks consumption was 12.3%, and daily energy drink consumption tallied to 4.5%. More than one-third of the sample (35.5%) reported having breakfast every school day, which rose to 68.1% of the sample reporting breakfast on both weekend days. The rate of students engaged in daily physical activity was 6.5%, while 86.1% of them reported more than four hours screen time in a day. In addition, despite the mandatory confinement, a notable percentage of adolescents engaged in substance use. Consistent with previous studies, girls had a higher risk of depression. Low levels of physical activity and high levels of screen time-as well as alcohol and drug use-were associated with a high risk of depression. Conclusions: We believe our study provided useful information on adolescent health behaviors that can lead to adolescents' depression, and that maintaining physical activity can prevent it even in these unusual circumstances. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)