Time-Series Trends of Depressive Levels of Korean Adults During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea

Objective@#This study aimed to observe the changes in people’s depressive levels over 9 months since the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak as well as to identify the predictors of people’s depressive levels including COVID-19 infection fear in the context of South Korea in 2020. @*Methods@#For these purposes, four cross-sectional surveys were periodically implemented from March to December 2020. We randomly recruited 6,142 Korean adults (aged 19 to 70) by using a quota survey. Along with descriptive analysis, which included a one-way analysis of variance and correlations, multiple regression models were built to identify the predictors of people’s depressive levels during the pandemic. Results Overall, people’s depressive levels and fear of COVID-19 infection gradually increased since the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition to demographic variables (i.e., being a female, young age, unemployed, and living alone) and the duration of the pandemic, people’s COVID-19 infection fear was associated with their depressive levels. @*Conclusion@#To ameliorate these rising mental health issues, access to mental health services should be secured and expanded, particularly for individuals who present greater vulnerabilities due to socioeconomic characteristics that may affect their mental health.

COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Job Loss Impacts on Mental Health in South Korea

Objective@#The economic hardship brought by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-2019) pandemic has caused mental health problems among people of different socioeconomic status (SES). As social support helps to buffer these problems, we investigated the association between job loss related to COVID-19 and depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts; the differences in the effects according to SES; and the mediating effects of social support. @*Methods@#The effects of COVID-19-related job loss on depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among 1,364 people were investigated through semi-structured and self-administered questionnaires: Patient Health Questionnaire–9, General Anxiety Disorder–7, and the Functional Social Support Questionnaire. Logistic regression and subgroup analyses were performed to assess the association between job loss and mental health status, and the moderating effects of income and educational levels. Moreover, the mediating effects of perceived social support on the association between job loss and depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts were analyzed. @*Results@#COVID-19-related job loss increased the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts. Adults with lower income and education level were at higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts; perceived social support level had significant mediating effects on the association between job loss and depression/anxiety; and income level had significant moderating effects on this mediating pathway. @*Conclusion@#COVID-19-related job loss were likely to be significantly associated with negative mental health outcomes, especially among individuals with low income and education levels. As social support had buffering effects on such outcomes, related government policies in cooperation with the governance of communities and stakeholders must be prepared.

Structural Model Analysis of Discriminatory Behavior Toward People With Severe Mental Illness

Objective@#This study aimed to determine how prejudice and attitude toward people with severe mental illness, formed through exposure to the mass media, affect discriminatory behavior toward them. @*Methods@#Between September and November 2019, demographic data were collected using an online survey of 622 adults residing in South Korea. The scales used in this study were taken from the 2008 survey by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. Structural equation modeling was performed for a comparative analysis of the direct and indirect effects. @*Results@#Virtual experience through mass media exposure had a statistically significant effect on prejudice against people with severe mental illness. Direct experience had a positive influence on reducing prejudice and discriminatory behavior. The direct effects of prejudice on discriminatory behavior were significant. In terms of indirect effects, the full mediating effect of prejudice was significant for the virtual experience through the mass media-prejudice-discriminatory behavior path, and the partial mediating effect of prejudice was significant on the direct experience-prejudice-discrimination behavior path. @*Conclusion@#This study recommends more careful reporting of mental illness in the media, promoting anti-stigmatization programs that provide opportunities for direct contact between the public and people with severe mental illness.

Factors Related to Anxiety and Depression Among Adolescents During COVID-19: A Web-Based CrossSectional Survey

Background@#The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and subsequent disease-containment measures (such as school closures) significantly affected the lives of adolescents. We evaluated the mental-health status and factors associated with anxiety and depression among South Korean adolescents. @*Methods@#A nationwide online survey was conducted to evaluate the mental-health status of South Korean adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, 570 adolescents aged 13–18 years were surveyed between May 27 and June 11, 2021. The participants completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to determine anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. Stepwise logistic regression models were constructed to determine factors related to anxiety and depression. @*Results@#Among the study participants, 11.2% and 14.2% had anxiety and depression, respectively. The results suggested that several factors, such as the experience of COVID-19 infection and quarantine of oneself, a family member or an acquaintance, physical and mental health problems, and fear of one’s local community being discriminated against as a COVID-19 area were related to anxiety and depression. @*Conclusion@#The present study identified COVID-19-related factors associated with anxiety and depression among adolescents, and provides insights regarding potential interventions to improve the mental health of adolescents. To promote the mental health of adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, special attention should be paid to individuals with physical or mental-health problems, and efforts should be made to reduce the negative social and emotional impacts of infection-control measures.

COVID-19 and Risk Factors of Anxiety and Depression in South Korea

Objective@#The aims of this study were to explore the prevalence of and identify predictors of anxiety and depression related to coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) in South Korea. @*Methods@#The analysis is based on a quota survey design and a sampling frame that permitted recruitment of a national sample of 1,014 individuals between March 17–31, 2020. Several standardized measurements were used, including GAD-7, PHQ-9, COVID-19 related fear, restrictions in deaily life, as well as sociodemographic information and physical and psychosocial needs during the pandemic. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to analyze the influence of sociodemographic factors, fear, and physical/psychosocial needs on anxiety and depression. @*Results@#Significant numbers of the respondents were identifiable anxiety (19.0%) and depression group (17.5%), respectively. This indicates that the depression and anxiety prevalence rate after the COVID-19 is substantially high compared to the depression rate of 2.6% in 2020 and 2.8% in 2018 both reported in the Korea Community Health Survey and the anxiety rate of 5.7% reported in 2016 Survey of Mental Disorders in Korea. Multiple logistic regression results showed age, COVID-19 related fear, and the level of restrictions in daily as significant factors in understanding and predicting the anxiety group. Likfewise, the COVID-19 related fear, restrictions in daily life, and need for economic support were important predictors in predicting the depression group. @*Conclusion@#Findings on predictors for greater vulnerability to anxiety and depression has important implications for public mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 and Risk Factors of Anxiety and Depression in South Korea

Objective@#The aims of this study were to explore the prevalence of and identify predictors of anxiety and depression related to coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) in South Korea. @*Methods@#The analysis is based on a quota survey design and a sampling frame that permitted recruitment of a national sample of 1,014 individuals between March 17–31, 2020. Several standardized measurements were used, including GAD-7, PHQ-9, COVID-19 related fear, restrictions in deaily life, as well as sociodemographic information and physical and psychosocial needs during the pandemic. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to analyze the influence of sociodemographic factors, fear, and physical/psychosocial needs on anxiety and depression. @*Results@#Significant numbers of the respondents were identifiable anxiety (19.0%) and depression group (17.5%), respectively. This indicates that the depression and anxiety prevalence rate after the COVID-19 is substantially high compared to the depression rate of 2.6% in 2020 and 2.8% in 2018 both reported in the Korea Community Health Survey and the anxiety rate of 5.7% reported in 2016 Survey of Mental Disorders in Korea. Multiple logistic regression results showed age, COVID-19 related fear, and the level of restrictions in daily as significant factors in understanding and predicting the anxiety group. Likfewise, the COVID-19 related fear, restrictions in daily life, and need for economic support were important predictors in predicting the depression group. @*Conclusion@#Findings on predictors for greater vulnerability to anxiety and depression has important implications for public mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effect of Korean Version of Psychological First Aid Training Program on Training Disaster Mental Health Service Provider / 신경정신의학

Objectives@#This study aimed to develop a Korean version of psychological first aid training program (K-PFA) and examine the education effect on trainees. @*Methods@#This study enrolled 485 subjects who completed both K-PFA and study surveys. In addition to mental health professionals, subjects with various ages and educational backgrounds were included to examine the education effects of the capabilities in conducting PFA and understanding acute phase disaster mental health (DMH). @*Results@#Both mental health professionals and non-professionals improved their understanding of acute-phase DMH intervention and their perceived capabilities in conducting PFA. @*Conclusion@#The development of a DMH intervention-training program adapted to Korean domesticcircumstances and culture represents a significant step towards a comprehensive and individualized intervention for disaster survivors.

Psychosocial Support during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Korea: Activities of Multidisciplinary Mental Health Professionals

As of April 18, 2020, there have been a total of 10,653 confirmed cases and 232 deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Korea. The pathogen spread quickly, and the outbreak caused nationwide anxiety and shock. This study presented the anecdotal records that provided a detailed process of the multidisciplinary teamwork in mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. Psychosocial support is no less important than infection control during an epidemic, and collaboration and networking are at the core of disaster management. Thus, a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals was immediately established and has collaborated effectively with its internal and external stakeholders for psychosocial support during the COVID-19 outbreak.

A Survey on the Perception for the Disaster Mental Health Services among General Population / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Disasters exert substantial effects on the mental health of victims and bereaved populations. Thus, a systematic framework for preparing and providing psychosocial and mental health services is necessary. The current attitudes toward and knowledge of disaster mental health-related factors among the general population provides one component for development of the disaster mental health services framework. METHODS: The authors analyzed a web-based survey for disaster mental health-related factors among the general population. Responses for the knowledge and perception for the disaster mental health services were compared between people who experienced and did not experience disaster. RESULTS: One thousand and three people completed the questionnaire. One hundred and seventy (16.9%) people experienced more than one disaster. People who experienced a disaster were more disturbed by disaster broadcasting or reporting than people who had not. People who experienced a disaster gave disaster mental health services an average score 63.5. People who experienced a disaster perceived group psychotherapy and self-help meetings as less important than those who had not. The recognition of both community mental health center and disaster mental health center was higher in the experienced group than non-experienced. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that general satisfaction with the current disaster mental health service is low, particularly among people who have used disaster mental health services. A national mental health system for disaster victims should be established with consideration for efficiency, effectiveness and accessibility.