scholarly journals Social touch deprivation during COVID-19: effects on psychological wellbeing and craving interpersonal touch

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 210287
Author(s):  
Mariana von Mohr ◽  
Louise P. Kirsch ◽  
Aikaterini Fotopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Social Touch ◽  
Interpersonal Touch ◽  
Reverse Pattern ◽  
In The Wild

Social touch has positive effects on social affiliation and stress alleviation. However, its ubiquitous presence in human life does not allow the study of social touch deprivation ‘in the wild’. Nevertheless, COVID-19-related restrictions such as social distancing allowed the systematic study of the degree to which social distancing affects tactile experiences and mental health. In this study, 1746 participants completed an online survey to examine intimate, friendly and professional touch experiences during COVID-19-related restrictions, their impact on mental health and the extent to which touch deprivation results in craving touch. We found that intimate touch deprivation during COVID-19-related restrictions is associated with higher anxiety and greater loneliness even though this type of touch is still the most experienced during the pandemic. Moreover, intimate touch is reported as the type of touch most craved during this period, thus being more prominent as the days practising social distancing increase. However, our results also show that the degree to which individuals crave touch during this period depends on individual differences in attachment style: the more anxiously attached, the more touch is craved; with the reverse pattern for avoidantly attached. These findings point to the important role of interpersonal and particularly intimate touch in times of distress and uncertainty.

scholarly journals Social touch deprivation during COVID-19: effects on psychological wellbeing, tolerating isolation and craving interpersonal touch

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Von Mohr ◽  
Louise P Kirsch ◽  
Aikaterini Fotopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Social Touch ◽  
Reverse Pattern ◽  
In The Wild

Social touch has positive effects on social affiliation and stress alleviation. However, its ubiquitous presence in human life does not allow the study of social touch deprivation ‘in the wild’. Nevertheless, COVID-19-related restrictions such as social distancing allowed the systematic study of the degree to which social distancing affects tactile experiences and mental health. In this study, 1746 participants completed an online-survey to examine intimate, friendly and professional touch experiences during COVID-19-related restrictions, their impact on mental health and the extent to which touch deprivation results in craving touch. We found that intimate touch deprivation during COVID-19-related restrictions is associated with worse psychological wellbeing, even though this type of touch is still the most experienced during the pandemic. Moreover, intimate touch is reported as the type of touch most craved during this period, thus being more prominent as the days practicing social distancing increase. However, our results also show that the degree to which individuals crave touch during this period depends on individual differences in attachment style: the more anxiously-attached, the more touch is craved; with the reverse pattern for avoidantly-attached. These findings point to the important role of interpersonal and particularly intimate touch in times of distress and uncertainty.

scholarly journals Time-Dependent Effects of Exposure to Nature and Perceived Behavioral Control over Social Distancing in Shared Open Spaces on Psychological Distress of Residents during Pandemic of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyyedeh Fatemeh Mousavinia
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
The Body ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Perceived Behavioral Control ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Positive Effects

Abstract Background: Further research into the influence of the COVID-19 epidemic on mental health is needed. Some research has highlighted the positive effects of nature exposure on mental health, as well as the importance of subjective assessments of green spaces. Methods: Considering both private and semi-public environments, the current longitudinal study examines the moderating effects of exposure to nature and perceived behavioral control over social distancing on the relationship between perceived interior crowding, social isolation, and psychological distress. Finally, it investigates whether these connections change through time. During the Iranian national lockdowns, data from 718 middle-aged women who completed an online questionnaire survey in two waves were used. Results and Conclusion: The findings of structural equation modeling back up the idea that social isolation plays a key role in the association between perceived interior crowding and psychological distress. Multi-Group Analysis revealed that exposure to nature reduced the negative effects of perceived interior crowding on psychological distress, as predicted. Nevertheless, this relationship is time-dependent and nature exposure during the time did not necessarily assist in reducing negative impacts. The current research adds to the body of knowledge by identifying perceived behavioral control as a buffer against the adverse effects of social isolation on psychological distress over time. These findings provide for a better understanding of psychological processes and could help in the promotion of design policies in the event of a pandemic.

scholarly journals Short-term changes in behaviors resulting from COVID-19-related social isolation and their influences on mental health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nestor Asiamah ◽  
Frank Frimpong Opuni ◽  
Edwin Mends-Brew ◽  
Samuel Worlanyo Mensah ◽  
Henry Kofi Mensah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Social Distancing

Abstract Withdrawing from social activities abruptly can be associated with anxiety and mental health struggles, but this behavior is unavoidable when an infectious disease such as Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading. With many governments taking to social distancing protocols, short-term changes in behaviors and their influences on health are expected. This study adopted a correlational research approach to assess the behavioral outcomes of the social distancing protocols and its influences on mental health. An online survey hosted by Survey Monkey was utilized to collect data from residents of three cities under a COVID-19 mandatory lockdown. A total of 621 surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis, with a sensitivity analysis utilized to select potential covariates for the final regression model. Findings indicate that reduced physical activity time, increased sedentary behavior time, and a change in sexual activity and smoking frequency are some short-term changes in behavior resulting from social isolation during the lockdown. An increase in sedentary behavior made a negative influence on mental health (β = -0.85; t = -46.76, p = 0.000). The only change in behavior that has a positive influence on mental health is substance use. For the most part, changes in behaviors in the short-term attributable to COVID-19 social isolation were associated with lower mental health scores. Our findings imply that COVID-19 social distancing measures should be rolled out alongside public education programs for discouraging unhealthy changes in behaviors.

The Influence of COVID-19 Stress on Psychological Well-Being Among Vietnamese Adults: The Role of Self-Compassion and Gratitude

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helpe Pape
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Self Compassion

COVID-19 has become an epidemic affecting all aspects of human life. Vietnam is now encountering the COVID-19 second wave, which puts the mental health of Vietnamese people at risk. Due to the adverse psychological effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic on human psychological well-being in these challenging times, the aims of this study are to examine the relationship between self-compassion and psychological well-being and the role of gratitude and COVID-19 stress as a multimediators model in a cross-sectional study. Participants include 509 Vietnamese adults (Mage = 31.71; SD = 7.28 years) recruited through an online survey. A 26-item Self-Compassion Scale was used to measure self-compassion, gratitude was measured by the 6-item Gratitude in the COVID-19, psychological well-being was measured by the World Health Organization Well-Being Index, and the COVID-19 Stress Scale was used to measure stress and fears symptoms caused by the pandemic. The results support 3 main findings: (a) self-compassion has a direct influence on the psychological well-being (effect = 0.50, p < .001, 95% confidence interval [CI; 0.43, 0.57]), (b) the mediating role of gratitude in this model was significant (effect = 0.07, 95% CI [0.04, 0.10]), and (c) the mediating role of COVID-19 stress and fears in this model was also significant (effect = 0.02, 95% CI [0.01, 0.04]). The study’s results also show that increasing self-compassion and gratitude could help to improve psychological well-being and reduce the influence of COVID-19 stress and fears on the individuals’ mental health.

scholarly journals The COVID-19 Outbreak and Psychological Distress in Healthcare Workers: The Role of Personality Traits, Attachment Styles, and Sociodemographic Factors

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4992
Author(s):  
Cristina Mazza ◽  
Marco Colasanti ◽  
Eleonora Ricci ◽  
Serena Di Giandomenico ◽  
Daniela Marchetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Depression Score

The COVID-19 outbreak has exposed healthcare professionals (HPs) to increased workloads and a high risk of contagion. The present study aimed at examining the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on the mental health of HPs in Italy, investigating the role of attachment style, personality traits, and sociodemographic variables. An online survey was administered from 18 to 22 March 2020. Respondents were 296 HPs (77% female, 23% male; aged 21–77 years). The measures employed were a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Personality Inventory for DSM-5-BF (PID-5-BF), the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale–21 (DASS-21). The findings showed that PID-5-BF Negative Affect, female gender, and ASQ Preoccupation with Relationships predicted high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, respectively. Furthermore, PID-5-BF Detachment predicted higher psychological distress, as captured in the DASS-21 total score and DASS-21 Depression score, and having an infected loved one was associated with high psychological distress. Overall, the results suggest that HPs are experiencing high rates of psychological distress during the pandemic, and that specific attachment styles and personality traits might be useful in identifying those at greatest risk for developing mental health symptoms.

scholarly journals Out of touch: Touch deprivation and affective touch perception during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Lauren Meijer ◽  
Birgit Hasenack ◽  
Jonas Kamps ◽  
Andy Mahon ◽  
Guilia Titone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Affective Touch ◽  
Interpersonal Touch ◽  
Touch Perception ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

Interpersonal touch and affective touch play a crucial role in social interactions and have a positive influence on mental health. The social distancing regulations related to the COVID-19 pandemic have reduced the ability to engage in interpersonal touch. This could cause touch deprivation, and it might alter the way in which affective touch is perceived. To investigate this, we conducted an online survey with 2348 participants, which contained questions regarding the COVID-19 regulations, touch deprivation and the perceived pleasantness of affective and non-affective touch. Results showed that participants reported feelings of touch deprivation. This significantly increased with the duration and severity of the COVID-19 regulations. Participants who experienced more touch deprivation rated videos of affective and non-affective touch as more pleasant. Current results provide insight in the impact of sudden and prolonged COVID-19 regulations and show that increasing the duration and severity of these regulations is associated with a higher desire for touch, which leads to increased perceived pleasantness of touch.

scholarly journals Predictors of Mental Health during the Covid-19 Pandemic in the US: role of economic concerns, health worries and social distancing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrice Kämpfen ◽  
Iliana V. Kohler ◽  
Alberto Ciancio ◽  
Wändi Bruine de Bruin ◽  
Jürgen Maurer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveTo assess mental health in the US adult population in the Covid-19 pandemic and explore the roles of economic concerns, health worries and social distancing in shaping mental health outcomes.MethodsWe analyze online survey data from the “Understanding America Study” (UAS) that is representative of the US adult population and covers the period of March 10-31st 2020 (sample size: 6436).ResultsAbout 29% (CI:27.4-.30.4%) of the US adult population reported some depression/anxiety symptoms osver the study period, with symptoms deteriorating over the month of March. Worsening mental health was most strongly associated with concerns about the economic consequences of the pandemic, while concerns about the potential impact of the virus on respondents’ own health and the practice of social distancing also predicted the presence of depression and anxiety symptoms, albeit less strongly.ConclusionsOur findings point towards a major mental health crisis unfolding simultaneously with the pandemic in the US. They also highlight the importance of economic countermeasures and social policy for mitigating the impact of Covid-19 on adult mental health in the US over and above an effective public health response.

scholarly journals Predictors of emotional wellbeing in osteopathic medical students in a COVID-19 world

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Jacobs ◽  
Michelle Lanspa ◽  
Michael Kane ◽  
Joshua Caballero
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Human Life ◽  
World Health ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Personal Resilience

Abstract Context In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak a pandemic. Due to the rapid spread, strong contagion, high incidence of lethality in severe cases, and the lack of a pharmaceutical prevention or cure, COVID-19 has posed a serious threat to human life and health. It has also had a tremendous impact on mental health, including fear and worry, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and increased use of poor coping mechanisms. Osteopathic medical students have had additional concerns regarding the interruption of their studies, closing of clinical rotations, and postponed licensing exams. To date, few reports have focused on osteopathic medical students and their reactions to the outbreak. Objectives To assess resilience, coping, health behaviors, and emotional wellbeing of osteopathic medical students during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we distributed an anonymous online survey to all medical students enrolled at Nova Southeastern University in May 2020 (n=1,310) via an e-mail invitation using the institution’s student listservs. Our major study variables were based on published reports and anecdotal evidence; we subsequently developed the Emotional Wellbeing in Healthcare Professions Students Questionnaire (EWB-Q). This EWB-Q contained validated scales to assess the contribution of levels of coping strategies used, personal resilience, and health behaviors on the emotional wellbeing of osteopathic medical students. Multiple linear regression and other statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS v0.26. Results Of the 1,310 students invited to participate, 335 (25.5%) surveys were returned. Of those, 133 had more than 33% of the necessary data missing and were removed, resulting in 202 (15.4%) completed questionnaires. The mean age of the participants was 26.7 years. About half (n=92; 45.5%) were in the clinical phase (years 3 and 4) of their medical school training (in rotations). A significant regression equation was found (F[4,171]=17.481, p<0.000, R 2 =0.290, R 2adjusted=0.274), indicating that levels of coping, personal resilience, and health behaviors (i.e., not sleeping more than usual, not exercising less than usual) accounted for a significant amount of the variance in emotional wellbeing scores in osteopathic medical students. Higher levels of resilience, greater use of coping strategies, not sleeping more than usual, and not exercising less than usual were predictors of emotional wellbeing. Conclusions Cultivating positive mental health should be a high priority for medical educators as they develop and implement curriculum-based initiatives to help medical students bolster their personal resilience and to encourage healthy coping behaviors during times of crisis and beyond. A proactive position that assists with building personal resilience and developing stress management habits is paramount in assisting students who are grappling not only with the challenges of rigorous medical training, but also with the uncertainty and stress that exists during any major global health or socioeconomic crisis.

scholarly journals Physical activity in periods of social distancing due to COVID-19: a cross-sectional survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (suppl 2) ◽  
pp. 4157-4168
Author(s):  
Edson Zangiacomi Martinez ◽  
Fabrícia Mabelle Silva ◽  
Thais Zanin Morigi ◽  
Miriane Lucindo Zucoloto ◽  
Thaise Lucena Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are associated with poor physical and mental health. The article aims to assess the changes in the habits of the Brazilian participants engaged in physical activities in relation to their practices, due the measures of social distancing during the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020. The secondary objective was to describe their levels of anxiety and depression. The questionnaire used in this online survey included demographic information, questions about self-perceptions of the impact of the COVID-19 in the life routines and the 14-item Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. A total of 1,613 adults completed the questionnaire between May 11 and 15, 2020. Of those, 79.4% reported that the measures to contain the epidemic had any impact on their physical activities, and many had to interrupt or decrease the frequency of their practices. Participants who felt a higher impact of quarantine on their physical activities tend to have higher prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms. Individuals who practiced physical activities reported that social distance had a high influence on their practices. Furthermore, changes in these habits are associated with high levels of poor mental health.

scholarly journals BEHAVIOUR AND THE PERCEPTION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DURING THE PERIOD OF MOVEMENT CONTROL ORDER (MCO) IN MALAYSIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syarifah Fathynah Syed Shiekh ◽  
Suresh Marathamuthu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Important Determinant ◽  
Movement Control ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Physical Activity And Exercise ◽  
Control Order

To curb the spread of Covid-19, governments have introduced social distancing measures with varying degrees of enforcement, ranging from unenforced recommendations to quarantine. Physical activity is an important determinant of health, and it is likely affected by social distancing measures introduced to combat the pandemic. This study presents findings from an online survey examining behaviour and the perception of physical activity and exercise during the period of the movement control order (MCO) in Malaysia. A total of 307 respondents (male = 134, female = 173) participated in the survey, which comprised three sections with a total of 33 items. Results indicate that about 80% of the respondents engaged in physical activity and exercise during the MCO period, but male respondents reported a greater impact on their actual physical activity and exercise as compared to female respondents. This study reveals no significant correlation between gender and perception, but it does show a significant correlation between gender and behaviour (p < 0.05) in terms of physical activity and exercise during the MCO period. This study found that both genders have a positive understanding and awareness of the benefits of physical activity and exercise, which are crucial for physical and mental health during the pandemic.

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