Browsing by Author "Papacostas, Savvas"
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- Corrigendum: Illness perceptions of COVID-19 in Europe: Predictors, impacts and temporal evolutionPublication . Dias Neto, David; Nunes da Silva, Ana; Roberto, M. S.; Ļubenko, Jeļena; Constantinou, Marios; Nicolaou, Christiana; Lamnisos, Demetris; Papacostas, Savvas; Höfer, Stefan; Presti, Giovambattista; Squatrito, Valeria; S. Vasiliou, Vasilis; Anita McHugh, Louise; Monestès, Jean-Louis; Baban, Adriana; Alvarez-Galvez, Javier; PAEZ BLARRINA, MARISA; Montesinos, Francisco; Valdivia Salas, María Sonsoles; Dorottya, Őri; Lappalainen, Raimo; Kleszcz, Bartosz; Gloster, Andrew; Karekla, Maria; P. Kassianos, Angelos
- Illness perceptions of COVID-19 in Europe: Predictors, impacts and temporal evolutionPublication . Neto, David Dias; Silva, Ana Nunes Da; Roberto, M. S.; Ļubenko, Jeļena; Constantinou, Marios; Nicolaou, Christiana; Lamnisos, Demetris; Papacostas, Savvas; Höfer, Stefan; Presti, Giovambattista; Squatrito, Valeria; S. Vasiliou, Vasilis; Anita McHugh, Louise; Monestes, Jean-Louis; Baban, Adriana; Alvarez-Galvez, Javier; Paez Blarrina, Marisa; Montesinos, Francisco; Valdivia Salas, María Sonsoles; Dorottya, Őri; Lappalainen, Raimo; Kleszcz, Bartosz; Gloster, Andrew; Karekla, Maria; Kassianos, Angelos P.Objective: Illness perceptions (IP) are important predictors of emotional and behavioral responses in many diseases. The current study aims to investigate the COVID-19-related IP throughout Europe. The specific goals are to understand the temporal development, identify predictors (within demographics and contact with COVID-19) and examine the impacts of IP on perceived stress and preventive behaviors. Methods: This was a time-series-cross-section study of 7,032 participants from 16 European countries using multilevel modeling from April to June 2020. IP were measured with the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. Temporal patterns were observed considering the date of participation and the date recoded to account the epidemiological evolution of each country. The outcomes considered were perceived stress and COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Results: There were significant trends, over time, for several IP, suggesting a small decrease in negativity in the perception of COVID-19 in the community. Age, gender, and education level related to some, but not all, IP. Considering the self-regulation model, perceptions consistently predicted general stress and were less consistently related to Dias Neto et al. Illness Perceptions of COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Country showed no effect in the predictive model, suggesting that national differences may have little relevance for IP, in this context. Conclusion: The present study provides a comprehensive picture of COVID-19 IP in Europe in an early stage of the pandemic. The results shed light on the process of IP formation with implications for health-related outcomes and their evolution.
- Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health: An international studyPublication . Gloster, Andrew T.; Lamnisos, Demetris; Lubenko, Jelena; Presti, Giovambattista; Squatrito, Valeria; Constantinou, Marios; Nicolaou, Christiana; Papacostas, Savvas; Aydın, Gökçen; Chong, Yuen Yu; Chien, Wai Tong; Cheng, Ho Yu; Ruiz, Francisco J.; Garcia-Martin, Maria B.; Obando-Posada, Diana P.; Segura-Vargas, Miguel A.; Vasiliou, Vasilis S.; McHugh, Louise Anita; Höfer, Stefan; Baban, Adriana; Dias Neto, David; Silva, Ana Nunes da; Monestes, Jean-Louis; Alvarez-Galvez, Javier; Paez Blarrina, Mariza; Montesinos, Francisco; Valdivia-Salas, Sonsoles; Ori, Dorottya; Kleszcz, Bartosz; Lappalainen, Raimo; Ivanović, Iva; Gosar, David; Dionne, Frederick; Merwin, Rhonda M.; Kassianos, Angelos P.; Karekla, MariaThe COVID-19 pandemic triggered vast governmental lockdowns. The impact of these lockdowns on mental health is inadequately understood. On the one hand such drastic changes in daily routines could be detrimental to mental health. On the other hand, it might not be experienced negatively, especially because the entire population was affected.
- Mental health andadherence to COVID-19 protective behaviors among cancer patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International, Multinational Cross-Sectional StudyPublication . Kassianos, Angelos P.; Georgiou, Alexandros; Kyprianidou, Maria; Lamnisos, Demetris; Ļubenko, Jeļena; Presti, Giovambattista; Squatrito, Valeria; Constantinou, Marios; Nicolaou, Christiana; Papacostas, Savvas; Aydın, Gökçen; Chong, Yuen Yu; Chien, Wai Tong; Cheng, Ho Yu; Ruiz, Francisco J.; Garcia-Martin, Maria B.; Obando, Diana; Segura-Vargas, Miguel A.; Vasiliou, Vasilis S.; McHugh, Louise; Constantinidou, AnastasiaA population-based cross-sectional study was conducted during the first COVID-19 wave, to examine the impact of COVID-19 on mental health using an anonymous online survey, enrolling 9565 individuals in 78 countries. The current sub-study examined the impact of the pandemic and the associated lockdown measures on the mental health, and protective behaviors of cancer patients in comparison to non-cancer participants. Furthermore, 264 participants from 30 different countries reported being cancer patients. The median age was 51.5 years, 79.9% were female, and 28% had breast cancer. Cancer participants reported higher self-efficacy to follow recommended national guidelines regarding COVID-19 protective behaviors compared to non-cancer participants (p < 0.01). They were less stressed (p < 0.01), more psychologically flexible (p < 0.01), and had higher levels of positive affect compared to non-cancer participants. Amongst cancer participants, the majority (80.3%) reported COVID-19, not their cancer, as their priority during the first wave of the pandemic and females reported higher levels of stress compared to males. In conclusion, cancer participants appeared to have handled the unpredictable nature of the first wave of the pandemic efficiently, with a positive attitude towards an unknown and otherwise frightening situation. Larger, cancer population specific and longitudinal studies are warranted to ensure adequate medical and psychological care for cancer patients.
- Mental health status of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreakPublication . Nicolaou, Christiana; Menikou, Joanna; Lamnisos, Demetris; Ļubenko, Jeļena; Presti, Giovambattista; Squatrito, Valeria; Constantinou, Marios; Papacostas, Savvas; Aydın, Gokcen; Chong, Yuen Yu; Chien, Wai Tong; Cheng, Ho Yu; Ruiz, Francisco J.; Segura-Vargas, Miguel A.; Garcia-Martin, Maria B.; Obando-Posada, Diana P.; Vasiliou, Vasilis S.; McHugh, Louise; Höfer, Stefan; Baban, Adriana; Neto, David Dias; Silva, Ana Nunes Da; Monestès, Jean-Louis; Alvarez-Galvez, Javier; Paez-Blarrina, Marisa; Montesinos, Francisco; Valdivia Salas, María Sonsoles; Ori, Dorottya; Kleszcz, Bartosz; Lappalainen, Raimo; Ivanović, Iva; Gosar, David; Dionne, Frederick; Merwin, Rhonda M.; Kassianos, Angelos P.; Karekla, Maria; Gloster, Andrew T.Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted individuals, communities, and whole populations. Experts across many different fields contributed their time and efforts in different ways to respond to the pandemic. Psychologists working in healthcare provided support and led many initiatives, both regionally and nationally. However, it is unknown how this has differed across Europe and its full range of activities and contributions. Aim: The current study is a survey of European member associations of EFPA, carried out to understand the current contributions and the impact those psychology contributions have had on the COVID-19 pandemic response, to share lessons learned, and to propose a roadmap for the future. Results: Overall, our study highlights how psychological expertise was integrated into many countries’ policy/decision-making, action-planning, caregiving, and the promotion of health and well-being to health professionals and the general public. Even in places where psychologists were not directly integrated into governmental systems, they played an important role in responding to this pandemic by providing their services and empirical knowledge. Discussion: Many psychologists possess the skills and tools to adapt their practice to the digital provision of services and to provide a continuity of care during the pandemic. Research carried out by psychologists has contributed important and new knowledge on pandemic effects, consequences, and interventions; yet, more research financial support is needed. We make recommendations for augmenting psychologists’ contributions in the future. In a global health crisis, where the main possible treatment is a preventive approach concentrated on sustainable behavior change, psychologists should be included every step of the way – they can make a difference.
- Patterns of psychological responses among the public during the early phase of COVID-19: A cross-regional analysisPublication . Chong, Yuen Yu; Chien, Wai Tong; Cheng, Ho Yu; Lamnisos, Demetris; Ļubenko, Jeļena; Presti, Giovambattista; Squatrito, Valeria; Constantinou, Marios; Nicolaou, Christiana; Papacostas, Savvas; Aydın, Gökçen; Ruiz, Francisco J.; Garcia Lopez, Maria; Obando-Posada, Diana P.; Segura-Vargas, Miguel A.; Vasiliou, Vasilis S.; McHugh, Louise Anita; Höfer, Stefan; Baban, Adriana; Neto, David Dias; Silva, Ana Nunes da; Monestes, Jean-Louis; Alvarez-Galvez, Javier; Paez Blarrina, Marisa; Montesinos, Francisco; Salas, Sonsoles Valdivia; Őri, Dorottya; Kleszcz, Bartosz; Lappalainen, Raimo; Ivanović, Iva; Gosar, David; Dionne, Frederick; Merwin, Rhonda M.; Gloster, Andrew T.; Karekla, Maria; Kassianos, Angelos P.This study aimed to compare the mediation of psychological flexibility, prosociality and coping in the impacts of illness perceptions toward COVID-19 on mental health among seven regions. Convenience sampled online survey was conducted between April and June 2020 from 9130 citizens in 21 countries. Illness perceptions toward COVID-19, psychological flexibility, prosociality, coping and mental health, socio-demographics, lockdown-related variables and COVID-19 status were assessed. Results showed that psychological flexibility was the only significant mediator in the relationship between illness perceptions toward COVID-19 and mental health across all regions (all ps = 0.001–0.021). Seeking social support was the significant mediator across subgroups (all ps range = <0.001–0.005) except from the Hong Kong sample (p = 0.06) and the North and South American sample (p = 0.53). No mediation was found for problem-solving (except from the Northern European sample, p = 0.009). Prosociality was the significant mediator in the Hong Kong sample (p =0.016) and the Eastern European sample (p = 0.008). These findings indicate that fostering psychological flexibility may help to mitigate the adverse mental impacts of COVID-19 across regions. Roles of seeking social support, problem-solving and prosociality vary across regions.
- Predictors of changing patterns of adherence to containment measures during the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic: an international longitudinal studyPublication . Chong, Yuen Yu; Chien, Wai Tong; Cheng, Ho Yu; Lamnisos, Demetris; Ļubenko, Jeļena; Presti, Giovambattista; Squatrito, Valeria; Constantinou, Marios; Nicolaou, Christiana; Papacostas, Savvas; Aydın, Gökçen; Ruiz, Francisco J.; Garcia-Martin, Maria B.; Obando-Posada, Diana P.; Segura-Vargas, Miguel A.; Vasiliou, Vasilis S.; McHugh, Louise Anita; Höfer, Stefan; Baban, Adriana; Neto, David Dias; Silva, Ana Nunes Da; Monestès, Jean-Louis; Alvarez-Galvez, Javier; PAEZ BLARRINA, MARISA; Montesinos, Francisco; Salas, Sonsoles Valdivia; Őri, Dorottya; Kleszcz, Bartosz; Lappalainen, Raimo; Ivanović, Iva; Gosar, David; Dionne, Frederick; Merwin, Rhonda M.; Gloster, Andrew; Kassianos, Angelos P.; Karekla, MariaABSTRACT: Background Identifying common factors that afect public adherence to COVID-19 containment measures can directly inform the development of ofcial public health communication strategies. The present international longitu‑ dinal study aimed to examine whether prosociality, together with other theoretically derived motivating factors (selfefcacy, perceived susceptibility and severity of COVID-19, perceived social support) predict the change in adherence to COVID-19 containment strategies. Method In wave 1 of data collection, adults from eight geographical regions completed online surveys beginning in April 2020, and wave 2 began in June and ended in September 2020. Hypothesized predictors included prosociality, self-efcacy in following COVID-19 containment measures, perceived susceptibility to COVID-19, perceived sever‑ ity of COVID-19 and perceived social support. Baseline covariates included age, sex, history of COVID-19 infection and geographical regions. Participants who reported adhering to specifc containment measures, including physical distancing, avoidance of non-essential travel and hand hygiene, were classifed as adherence. The dependent variable was the category of adherence, which was constructed based on changes in adherence across the survey period and included four categories: non-adherence, less adherence, greater adherence and sustained adherence (which was designated as the reference category). Results In total, 2189 adult participants (82% female, 57.2% aged 31–59 years) from East Asia (217 [9.7%]), West Asia (246 [11.2%]), North and South America (131 [6.0%]), Northern Europe (600 [27.4%]), Western Europe (322 [14.7%]), Southern Europe (433 [19.8%]), Eastern Europe (148 [6.8%]) and other regions (96 [4.4%]) were analyzed. Adjusted
- To help or not to help? Prosocial behavior, its association with well-being, and predictors of prosocial behavior during the coronavirus disease pandemicPublication . Haller, Elisa; Ļubenko, Jeļena; Presti, Giovambattista; Squatrito, Valeria; Constantinou, Marios; Nicolaou, Christiana; Papacostas, Savvas; Aydın, Gökçen; Chong, Yuen Yu; Chien, Wai Tong; Cheng, Ho Yu; Ruiz, Francisco J.; García-Martín, María B.; Obando-Posada, Diana P.; Segura-Vargas, Miguel A.; Vasiliou, Vasilis S.; McHugh, Louise Anita; Höfer, Stefan; Baban, Adriana; Neto, David Dias; Silva, Ana Nunes Da; Monestes, Jean-Louis; Alvarez-Galvez, Javier; Paez Blarrina, Marisa; Montesinos, Francisco; Salas, María Sonsoles; Ori, Dorottya; Kleszcz, Bartosz; Lappalainen, Raimo; Ivanović, Iva; Gosar, David; Dionne, Frederick; Merwin, Rhonda M.; Karekla, Maria; Kassianos, Angelos P.; Gloster, AndrewThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic fundamentally disrupted humans’ social life and behavior. Public health measures may have inadvertently impacted how people care for each other. This study investigated prosocial behavior, its association well-being, and predictors of prosocial behavior during the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and sought to understand whether region-specific differences exist. Participants (N = 9,496) from eight regions clustering multiple countries around the world responded to a cross-sectional online-survey investigating the psychological consequences of the first upsurge of lockdowns in spring 2020. Prosocial behavior was reported to occur frequently. Multiple regression analyses showed that prosocial behavior was associated with better well-being consistently across regions. With regard to predictors of prosocial behavior, high levels of perceived social support were most strongly associated with prosocial behavior, followed by high levels of perceived stress, positive affect and psychological flexibility. Sociodemographic and psychosocial predictors of prosocial behavior were similar across regions.