Impact of Home-Based Work during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental and Physical Health in a German Population-Based Sample.

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak necessitated physical distancing, as part of secondary prevention, at a personal and professional level. Working from home (WFH) became increasingly important. In this study, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on physical and mental health is investigated, compared with pre-pandemic data, and with employees who WFH and are on-site. Methods: Data from the German Saxon longitudinal study population were used. Attitudes towards WFH as well as mental and physical health assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. Comparisons were made with corresponding pre-pandemic scores and between employees WFH and on-site in 2022. Results: In total, 319 participants with equal gender distribution were included. Of those, 86 worked from home stating better organizability of their work, more time for partnership, less stress, and greater work satisfaction. Compared to pre-pandemic data, the D-score, PHQ-4, G-Score, and PHQ-SSS-8 showed a significant increase. No difference in physical or mental health between employees WFH and on-site was observed. Conclusion: In general, COVID-19 restrictions had a negative impact on mental and physical health. Although WFH is well accepted, it did not show significant health benefits.

[Anxiety, Depression, Psychological Strain and Physical Complaints before and after the Covid-19 Pandemic in a German Longitudinal Study with Adults from Saxony]. / Ängstlichkeit, Depressivität, psychische Belastung und Körperbeschwerden vor und nach der Covid-19-Pandemie in einer deutschen Längsschnittstudie bei Erwachsenen aus Sachsen.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate whether psychological distress increased in a German community sample from Saxony during the course of the Corona pandemic. METHODS: In 2017/2018 and 2022, N=289 participants (54.7% female) of the Saxon Longitudinal Study were interviewed about their psychological well-being using questionnaires (PHQ-4, SSS-8). RESULTS: There is a significant increase in complaints (anxiety, depression, psychological distress, physical complaints) compared to 2017/2018 to 2022 with effect sizes in the small and medium range (Cohens d=0.26-0.62). CONCLUSION: Data collection was not due to the pandemic but was routine as part of an ongoing long-term study. The Covid-19 pandemic led to an increase in psychological distress and physical complaints in a Saxonian, age-homogeneous population sample.

Interactions between shape-persistent macromolecules as probed by AFM.

Water-soluble shape-persistent cyclodextrin (CD) polymers with amino-functionalized end groups were prepared starting from diacetylene-modified cyclodextrin monomers by a combined Glaser coupling/click chemistry approach. Structural perfection of the neutral CD polymers and inclusion complex formation with ditopic and monotopic guest molecules were proven by MALDI-TOF and UV-vis measurements. Small-angle neutron and X-ray (SANS/SAXS) scattering experiments confirm the stiffness of the polymer chains with an apparent contour length of about 130 Å. Surface modification of planar silicon wafers as well as AFM tips was realized by covalent bound formation between the terminal amino groups of the CD polymer and a reactive isothiocyanate-silane monolayer. Atomic force measurements of CD polymer decorated surfaces show enhanced supramolecular interaction energies which can be attributed to multiple inclusion complexes based on the rigidity of the polymer backbone and the regular configuration of the CD moieties. Depending on the geometrical configuration of attachment anisotropic adhesion characteristics of the polymer system can be distinguished between a peeling and a shearing mechanism.