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- Effects of COVID-19 social distancing measures in individuals with chronic pain living in Spain in the late stages of the lockdownPublication . Miró, Jordi; Sánchez-Rodríguez, Elisabet; Ferreira-Valente, Maria Alexandra; Pais Brito, José Luis; Ciaramella, AntonellaSocial distancing measures during the lockdown have had a negative impact on chronic pain patients’ function. Research, however, has only focused on the early stages of the first lockdowns. The aim of this study was to improve the understanding of the effects of COVID-19 social distancing measures on individuals with chronic pain living in Spain during the late stages of the lockdown. A group of 361 adults with pain participated in this study. They responded to an online survey and provided information on sociodemographic issues, pain, fatigue, perceived health, and quality of life. The data showed that most participants suffered moderate to severe pain and interferences with pain treatment and an increase in pain intensity during the lockdown. Most participants also informed us that fatigue had worsened during the lockdown (62%). Importantly, females with lower monthly family income and lower education have been found to be associated with greater levels of pain and fatigue. Despite this, participants perceived themselves as having good health and good quality of life. The findings from this study can be used to inform policy and specific responses for future COVID-19 waves and future pandemics where social distancing measures must be implemented.
- A biopsychosocial perspective of mental health risk in Italy during phase two of the COVID-19 lockdownPublication . Rossi, Martina; Jarego, Margarida; Ferreira-Valente, Maria Alexandra; Miró, Jordi; Sánchez-Rodríguez, Elisabet; Ciaramella, AntonellaAbstract: Introduction: Research into the first phase of the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy showed an association with an increased susceptibility to adverse mental health (MH) in the general population. We investigated in the same population the correlations between the various demographic, socioeconomic, biological/clinical history and psychological dimensions and MH in the second, “opening-up”, phase of the lockdown. Methods: An anonymous online survey collected data from 26 May to 4 July 2020 on demographic, socioeconomic, perceived risk, general health and quality of life appraisals, worry, interference in life, life satisfaction, perceived happiness and MH by using Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5). Results: Of the 300 participants, only 195 responded to MH questions. Older age was positively associated with better MH (r=.15), as was education (r=.19). A negative correlation with MH, with medium-high effect size, was found with quality of life (r=.40) and health (r=.34) appraisals, and the factors “worry about sustenance” (r=.23) and “interference with life” (r=.32). A positive correlation, with strong effect size, was found between MH and life satisfaction (r=.53) and perception of happiness (r=.64). Discussion: During phase two of the lockdown, rather the real impact of COVID-19 restrictions on employment or economic resources, it was worry about finances that was associated with worse MH. Mental distress was associated with the loss of some positive psychological factors. From a homeostatic and biopsychosocial perspective of MH, life satisfaction and perceived happiness represent important mental resources for counteracting the effects of lockdown on MH.
- Mental, physical and socio-economic status of adults living in spain during the late stages of the state of emergency caused by COVID-19Publication . Sánchez-Rodríguez, Elisabet; Ferreira-Valente, Maria Alexandra; Pimenta, Filipa; Ciaramella, Antonella; Miró, JordiResearch has shown that the confinement measures implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19 can have negative effects on people’s lives at multiple levels. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to better understand the mental, physical, and socio-economic status of adults living in Spain during the late stages of the state of emergency caused by COVID-19. Five hundred and forty-four individuals responded to an online survey between 3 June and 30 July 2020. They were asked to report data about their mental and physical health, financial situation, and satisfaction with the information received about the pandemic. Means, percentages, t-test, ANOVAs, and logistic regressions were computed. A third of the participants reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, and worries about their health and the future. Participants also described mild levels of fatigue and pain during lockdown (66%), and a reduction in household income (39%). Respondents that were female, younger, single, and with lower levels of education reported experiencing a greater impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The data showed that the negative effects of lockdown were present in the late stages of the state of emergency. The findings can be used to contribute to the development of programs to prevent or mitigate the negative impact of confinement measures.
- A biopsychosocial perspective of mental health risk in Italy during phase two of the COVID-19 lockdownPublication . Rossi, Martina; Jarego, Margarida; Ferreira-Valente, Maria Alexandra; Miró, Jordi; Sánchez-Rodríguez, Elisabet; Ciaramella, Antonella.: Introduction: Research into the first phase of the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy showed an association with an increased susceptibility to adverse mental health (MH) in the general population. We investigated in the same population the correlations between the various demographic, socioeconomic, biological/clinical history and psychological dimensions and MH in the second, “opening-up”, phase of the lockdown. Methods: An anonymous online survey collected data from 26 May to 4 July 2020 on demographic, socioeconomic, perceived risk, general health and quality of life appraisals, worry, interference in life, life satisfaction, perceived happiness and MH by using Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5). Results: Of the 300 participants, only 195 responded to MH questions. Older age was positively associated with better MH (r=.15), as was education (r=.19). A negative correlation with MH, with medium-high effect size, was found with quality of life (r=.40) and health (r=.34) appraisals, and the factors “worry about sustenance” (r=.23) and “interference with life” (r=.32). A positive correlation, with strong effect size, was found between MH and life satisfaction (r=.53) and perception of happiness (r=.64). Discussion: During phase two of the lockdown, rather the real impact of COVID-19 restrictions on employment or economic resources, it was worry about finances that was associated with worse MH. Mental distress was associated with the loss of some positive psychological factors. From a homeostatic and biopsychosocial perspective of MH, life satisfaction and perceived happiness represent important mental resources for counteracting the effects of lockdown on MH.
- Socioeconomic status, social support, coping, and fear predict mental health status during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: a 1-year longitudinal studyPublication . Jarego, Margarida; Ferreira-Valente, Maria Alexandra; Sánchez-Rodríguez, Elisabet; Miró, Jordi; Costa, Patrício; Pais-Ribeiro, JoséResearch has shown that both the COVID-19 pandemic and the governmental measures implemented to tackle it severely impacted people’s mental health worldwide. This study aimed at monitoring adults’ mental health status during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and assessing demographic, socioeconomic, and psychosocial variables as mental health status development's potential predictors. A total of 105 adults (79% women; age: 18–72) completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and measures of mental health status, social support, coping, and fear of COVID-19 at T0 (Apr-May 2020), T1 (Nov 2020-Jan 2021) and T2 (May 2021). A Hierarchical Linear Model was used to assess the mental health status development trajectory and its predictors. Overall, no statistically significant differences in mental health status emerged. At the pandemic’s beginning, social support, and positive/active coping predicted better mental health status. Higher socioeconomic status, supportive coping, and the use of substances predicted poorer mental health status. Individuals who were more afraid of COVID-19 continued to improve their self-reported mental health status over time, although at a slower rate than individuals who were less afraid of COVID-19. These findings suggest that, in the context of an epidemiological crisis, such as COVID-19, fear of infectious disease should be assessed as a routine care measure, while cognitive behavioral interventions discouraging the use of supportive coping and the use of substances should be implemented.