The Climate Change Worry Scale (CCWS) and Its Links with Demographics and Mental Health Outcomes in a Polish Sample.

Developing valid and reliable measures of psychological responses to climate change is of high importance, as this facilitates our understanding of people's psychological responses, including their pro-environmental behavior. Recently, the Climate Change Worry Scale (CCWS) was introduced. This study aimed to develop the first Polish version of the CCWS and explore its psychometric properties. Our sample comprised 420 Polish adults aged 18-70, with a mean age of 26.20 (standard deviation = 10.61) years. The CCWS's factor structure was assessed with confirmatory factor analysis. McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha coefficients were computed to assess internal consistency reliability. Pearson correlations between climate change worry (CCW) and experience of climate change (i.e., an individual's level of perception of being affected by climate change), pro-environmental behavior, ill-being (i.e., anxiety and depression symptoms), and well-being were calculated. Our results support the strong factorial validity of the CCWS, conforming to its intended one-factor solution, with excellent internal consistency reliability for the total scale score (i.e., McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha values of 0.93). We noted large positive correlations between CCW and experiences of climate change, as well as pro-environmental behavior, and medium positive correlations with psychopathology symptoms. CCW scores were not associated with well-being. As the CCWS represents a measure of a specific manifestation of worry, we also examined its discriminant validity against more general psychological distress markers, and it evidenced strong validity in this regard. Overall, the Polish version of the CCWS appears to have strong psychometric properties, and will therefore be a useful tool to use in research on psychological responses to climate change.

Predictors of suicidality among Polish university students during COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The main purpose of the study was to assess university students' mental health and identify factors associated with the risk of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and distance learning. RECENT FINDINGS: The study was conducted in spring 2021 and comprised 10 760 Polish students. The survey employed modified versions of the C-SSRS, CIDI, WHO-5, GAD-7, the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 and CAGE-AID Questionnaire and included questions about panic attacks, COVID-19-related information and sociodemographic characteristics. The correlates of suicidality were examined using a series of logistic regression analyses. Almost 40% students experienced any suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours in the previous month: passive ideations only (15.8%), active ideations only (7.1%), plans without attempts (15%), and attempts (1.4%). Following variables were related to the increased risk for suicide attempts: severe anxiety [odds ratio (OR) = 11.39; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.44-90.26], panic attacks (OR = 3.21; 95% CI: 1.75-5.91), and COVID-19 hospitalisation (OR = 11.04; 95% CI: 1.17-104.59). Major depression was associated with passive and active ideations, suicide plans, but not with attempts (OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 0.45-4.13). SUMMARY: University students present a high level of adverse mental health and increased risk of STBs during COVID-19 pandemic. A suicide prevention program tailored to this population is needed during and after the pandemic.

Social support against depression in young adults' group during COVID-19 pandemic. / Wsparcie spoleczne a przeciwdzialanie depresji w grupie mlodych doroslych w czasie pandemii COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed at analyzing the prevalence of depressive symptoms in a group of learning young adults, as well as the social support as a predictor of depression in late adolescence during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: An online national survey of young adults attending schools was conducted. The semi-structured questionnaire, including a section on sociodemographic data, stressors, needs and sources of support, as well as brief version of the Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale, was distributed to young Poles. The final sample consisted of 1,500 students aged 18-23. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the relationships between support needs and sources and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The support needs that are most commonly reported by young adults are support from loved ones (family, friends) (n = 843; 56.2%) and teachers (e.g., care, appreciation) (n = 603; 40.2%). Fifty-six per cent of Polish young adults are experiencing significant depressive symptoms (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.82-13.96). Young adults with no social support had higher KADS score than participants reporting some form of support (b = 1.794; 95% BCa CI = 0.659, 2.947). Participants receiving support from mother, both parents and siblings had a lower severity of depressive symptoms, while young people receiving support from father had more severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides initial findings in terms of depressive symptoms and support needs of young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is imperative for mental health services, communities and schools to provide the necessary support to young adults.

Mental health of medical workers during COVID-19 pandemic - literature review. / Zdrowie psychiczne pracowników medycznych w czasie pandemii COVID-19 ­ przeglad literatury.

The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an illness caused due to Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The global pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization on 11thMarch 2020 and COVID-19 has become a clinical threat to the general population and healthcare workers worldwide. This review covers early publications on the effects of COVID-19 on medical staff published from March to May 2020. The studies are scarce and the majority of them is focused on depression, anxiety and insomnia. According to studies, mental health problems are a common response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, healthcare workers are every country's most valuable resource. To minimize the negative psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this professional group, it is necessary to develop appropriate prevention strategies, as well as training and support programs. It is extremely importantto identify risk factors thatmay help in identifying groups at increased risk and developing adequate interventions. The long-term psychosocial impact of this epidemic on mental health of medical workers remains to be evaluated.

Climate change and mental health: a review of current literature. / Zmiany klimatu a zdrowie psychiczne: przeglad aktualnej literatury.

This review article focuses on mental health implications of climate change. Global warming is likely to cause the severe widespread emergencies: extreme heat, droughts, wildfires, water-related disasters (i.e., flooding, hurricanes and coastal storms), extreme snow, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Rising temperatures, sea level rise and extreme weather events have led to secondary and tertiary consequences, e.g., social disruption, impoverishment and population displacement. Mental health risks of climate change include greater stress, stressrelated disorders, anxiety, despair, depression, and suicidal ideation. Those risks can stem from climate-related natural disasters (e.g., extreme weather events), slower moving events (e.g., drought), or concern about the phenomenon of climate change itself. A focus on the impact of climate change on mental health can help enhance the understanding of factors that strengthen psychosocial resilience and adaptation, as well as design tailor-made local interventions. Proper psychosocial adaptation strategies for the upcoming mental health challenges of climate change require development of social capital and strengthening of institutional systems.

Depression among young adults - risks and protective factors in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: The present study aimed to assess the depression symptoms and predictors of depression in Polish young adults during online learning in the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The online questionnaire, including the Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale, was distributed to young Poles through school principals. The final sample consisted of 1,500 students between the ages of 18 and 23 attending secondary schools. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the relationships between sociodemographic factors, pandemic stressors, coping behaviours and depressive symptoms. Results: 56% of young Polish adults are experiencing significant depressive symptoms (95% CI: 1.82-13.96). Social isolation was recognized as the main stressor. Many significant predictors of depression were captured. Being female, living in the countryside, talking to parents, and participating in sports and hobbies are found to be protective factors. The following sociodemographic factors are important predictors of depression in young adults: being male, attending a secondary school, living in a large city. Experiencing stress due to pandemic and online learning is one of the risk factors for depression. Conclusions: The majority of young Poles met the criteria for depressive disorders. The initial findings of the presented study not only highlight the need to address mental health consequences for young people during online learning, but also provide the grounds for the development of post-pandemic interventions.

Predictors of teachers' mental health - implications for practice.

Purpose: To identify teachers' mental health predictors of stress, anxiety and depression within the sociodemographic, health-related, work-related and COVID-19-related factors. Methods: Between March 3 and April 11, 2021 the cross-sectional national online survey of Polish teachers of all educational levels was conducted. The semi-structured questionnaire used in the study included demographic data (place of residence, gender, age, marital status, education), exposure to people infected with COVID-19, critical life events and pandemic-related stressors, health variables, work-related characteristics (duration of remote teaching), as well as DASS-21. Results: In 2,757 completed responses, 86% of the respondents were female and the mean age was 46.14 (SD = 9.35); 21.3% had been previously diagnosed with COVID-19; 38.8% of the respondents (n = 1,069) were employed in primary schools (grades 4-8) and 34% worked in the secondary level education. The mean years of work experience in the sample was 20.94 (SD = 10.60). At the moment of completing the survey, most of the respondents (n = 1,488; 54%) were working on-site, 24% were still working remotely and 22.1% were engaged in the hybrid model. Sociodemographic variables, mental and physical illness, fear of the negative consequences of COVID-19, and the deaths of a family member or friend due to COVID-19 were significant predictors of stress, anxiety, and depression. Stress and depression were also predicted by remote working methods and working in a very large city. The cases of COVID-19 in groups of co-workers or students predicted only stress. COVID-19 deaths of co-workers/students/parents of students and COVID-19 diagnosis predicted anxiety. Conclusions: The most vulnerable group of teachers turned out to consist in young women, working in a big city, mostly teaching remotely. Sustainable support and care systems adapted to the teachers' needs should be developed. Also some essential predictors of mental health deterioration among teachers should be considered when designing long-term prevention strategies.

COVID-19 pandemic fear, life satisfaction and mental health at the initial stage of the pandemic in the largest cities in Poland.

The study investigated whether the level of life satisfaction and general mental health was associated with COVID-19 worries at the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. A cross-sectional observational study using an online questionnaire was conducted between 19 March and 27 April 2020, i.e. at the beginning of the epidemic in Poland. The study participants were residents of Poland over the age of 18 years. A total of 412 completed responses were received. The majority of respondents were women (75%), 84% respondents were mentally healthy and did not have any diagnosis of mental illnesses. Sixty-eight percent respondents indicated that they had been worried about the COVID-19 pandemic for the average of 21.75 days (SD +-16), while the median period from the onset of epidemic in Poland (20 March) to the participation in the study was 11 days. The main domains of concern included: death of loved ones (75%), severe course of illness in loved ones (72%), healthcare failure (64%), consequences of the pandemic at an individual and social level (64% and 63%, respectively). There was a significant medium decrease in the level of happiness and life satisfaction during the COVID-19 epidemic (p <.001).