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Mental Health Risks after Repeated Exposure to Multiple Stressful Events during Ongoing Social Unrest and Pandemic in Hong Kong: The Role of Rumination: Risques pour la santé mentale après une exposition répétée à de multiples événements stressants d'agitation sociale durable et de pandémie à Hong Kong: le rôle de la rumination.
Wong, Stephanie M Y; Hui, Christy L M; Wong, Corine S M; Suen, Y N; Chan, Sherry K W; Lee, Edwin H M; Chang, W C; Chen, Eric Y H.
  • Wong SMY; Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, 25809University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
  • Hui CLM; Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, 25809University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
  • Wong CSM; Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, 25809University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
  • Suen YN; Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, 25809University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
  • Chan SKW; Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, 25809University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
  • Lee EHM; State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, 25809University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
  • Chang WC; Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, 25809University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
  • Chen EYH; Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, 25809University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Can J Psychiatry ; 66(6): 577-585, 2021 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2286932
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES:

The co-occurrence of different classes of population-level stressors, such as social unrest and public health crises, is common in contemporary societies. Yet, few studies explored their combined mental health impact. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of repeated exposure to social unrest-related traumatic events (TEs), coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-related events (PEs), and stressful life events (SLEs) on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms, and the potential mediating role of event-based rumination (rumination of TEs-related anger, injustice, guilt, and insecurity) between TEs and PTSD symptoms.

METHODS:

Community members in Hong Kong who had utilized a screening tool for PTSD and depressive symptoms were invited to complete a survey on exposure to stressful events and event-based rumination.

RESULTS:

A total of 10,110 individuals completed the survey. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that rumination, TEs, and SLEs were among the significant predictors for PTSD symptoms (all P < 0.001), accounting for 32% of the variance. For depression, rumination, SLEs, and PEs were among the significant predictors (all P < 0.001), explaining 24.9% of the variance. Two-way analysis of variance of different recent and prior TEs showed significant dose-effect relationships. The effect of recent TEs on PTSD symptoms was potentiated by prior TEs (P = 0.005). COVID-19 PEs and prior TEs additively contributed to PTSD symptoms, with no significant interaction (P = 0.94). Meanwhile, recent TEs were also potentiated by SLEs (P = 0.002). The effects of TEs on PTSD symptoms were mediated by rumination (ß = 0.38, standard error = 0.01, 95% confidence interval 0.36 to 0.41), with 40.4% of the total effect explained. All 4 rumination subtypes were significant mediators.

CONCLUSIONS:

Prior and ongoing TEs, PEs, and SLEs cumulatively exacerbated PTSD and depressive symptoms. The role of event-based rumination and their interventions should be prioritized for future research.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Stress, Psychological / Depression / Rumination, Cognitive / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: Can J Psychiatry Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 0706743720979920

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Stress, Psychological / Depression / Rumination, Cognitive / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: Can J Psychiatry Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 0706743720979920