Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in Brazilian mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study aimed to identify the factors associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in Brazilian mothers of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a cross-sectional study carried in 2020 with the participation of 822 mothers who answered an online questionnaire containing sociodemographic variables and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The adjusted model showed a higher depression score in women who became unemployed during the pandemic, who felt a greater burden in taking care of children, who took medication on a regular basis, and who self-assessed their health as regular or poor/very poor. Having a lower family income increased their anxiety scale score. In contrast, the variables associated with a reduced anxiety scale score included greater age, not feeling overwhelmed with demands to care for children, not using medications, not having gastrointestinal diseases, and good/very good self-assessed health. These variables, together with the benefits of living in the Northeast and Midwest regions of Brazil as well as sleeping more hours per night, were also associated with reduced stress. The present study is significant as it points out elements present in the daily lives of mothers that have an impact on their mental health. The study points to the need to (re)think mental health policies taking into account the needs of the public studied.

Factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a Brazilian study.

Objectives: Older adults are one of the most vulnerable age groups to the social distance measures imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in Brazilian older adults during the pandemic.Method: This cross-sectional online study assessed 380 older adults (over 60 years of age) living in Brazil, from 26th May 2020 to 29th June 2020. A self-reported questionnaire included sociodemographic data, lifestyle, health characteristics, and the COVID-19 related variables. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) were also applied. Data were analyzed via logistic regression models, using a hierarchical approach.Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms according to GDS was 28.7% (95% CI = 24.4%, 33.4%) and the prevalence of anxiety symptoms according to GAI was 26.1% (95% CI = 21.9%, 30.7%). Physically inactive older adults, the ones who were in social isolation for more days, feel much vulnerable to contracting COVID-19, and never or almost never receive support from family/friends were more likely to have depressive symptoms. Being female, physically inactive or physically active 1-3 times/week, feel very vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 and never or almost never receive support from family/friends were associated with the anxiety symptoms.Conclusion: A high prevalence of depressive and anxious symptoms was identified in Brazilian older adults. The data can help in planning interventions aimed at older adults, also including their families, health professionals, and the whole society.

COVID-19 Frequency in Hospitalized Psychiatric Patients: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic affected individuals in different contexts (e.g. long-term care facilities, schools, communities), including psychiatric hospitals. Thus, the objective of this systematic review, duly registered and approved on PROSPERO (CRD42023427835), is to assess the frequency of positive COVID-19 cases among patients hospitalized in psychiatric hospitals. METHODS: A total of 4,922 articles were identified in the database searches, and 17 studies conducted in psychiatric hospitals from different regions of the world were selected. RESULTS: The frequency of positive COVID-19 cases among patients hospitalized in psychiatric hospitals ranged from 1.8% to 98.8%. Out of a total of 19,573 patients hospitalized in psychiatric hospitals, the pooled mean frequency of positive COVID-19 cases was 11.9%. The majority of patients presented COVID-19 symptoms (e.g. cough, fever and others). The COVID-19 diagnosis was primarily conducted through RT-PCR testing in 88.9% of the studies. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, there is discrepancy in the methodology of the studies assessing the frequency of positive COVID-19 cases in psychiatric hospitals. However, this review allowed us to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the population hospitalized in psychiatric hospitals.

What factors are associated with affective and cognitive empathy in informal and formal caregivers of older people?

OBJECTIVE: To analyse factors associated with affective and cognitive empathy in informal and formal caregivers of older people. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 111 formal and informal caregivers divided into three groups (lower, intermediate and higher empathy) based on the Multidimensional Interpersonal Reactivity Index score (total, affective and cognitive empathy). A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Zarit Burden Inventory, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Functional Assessment Questionnaire were applied. RESULTS: The participants were predominantly women (91%), and median [IQR] age was 46 [33-57] years. In the multinomial regression analysis being an informal caregiver, being older and having depressive symptoms were associated with higher levels of empathy (total score and the affective domain). No associations were found for the cognitive domain. CONCLUSIONS: A high level of empathy, especially affective empathy, was associated with depressive symptoms, older age and being an informal caregiver. Family relationships and the lack of training among informal caregivers should be explored.