scholarly journals EFFECTS OF THE EASTERN MIND-BODY PRACTICES ON MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
pp. 2850-2855
Author(s):  
Tetiana V. Danylova ◽  
Vitalii M. Shmarhun ◽  
Anton V. Vertel ◽  
Bogdan K. Matyushko ◽  
Aleksandr F. Bondarenko ◽  
...  

The aim: The paper aims at reviewing the recent studies on the impact of the Eastern mind-body practices on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: The recent studies (2020 – 2021) on the Eastern mind-body practices in combating the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic were identified in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar. Research papers were found by using the keywords “mental health”, “psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic”, “Eastern mind-body practices”, “meditation”, “mindfulness”, “yoga”, “tai chi”, “qigong”. A total of 27 selected publications were analyzed based on our criteria. Given the relatively small number of relevant articles in recent years, we also examined papers published before 2020. Along with the aforementioned, the authors used integrative anthropological approach and interpretive research paradigm. Conclusions: The Eastern mind-body practices are becoming increasingly popular, especially now when the outbreak of COVID-19 has created mental health concerns among the general population worldwide. They may prove an effective preventive or therapeutical intervention for mental health issues during and after the pandemic. However, the underlying mechanisms of these techniques are still insufficiently studied. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a well-planned study and interpret it from multiply perspectives involving an interdisciplinary team of specialists.

Author(s):  
Erwin Stolz ◽  
Hannes Mayerl ◽  
Wolfgang Freidl

Abstract Background To halt the spread of COVID-19, Austria implemented a 7-week ’lockdown’ in March/April 2020. We assess whether the ensuing reduction in social contacts led to increased loneliness among older adults (60+). Methods Three analyses were conducted: (1) A comparison between pre-pandemic (SHARE: 2013-2017) and pandemic (May 2020) levels of loneliness (UCLA-3 scale), (2) an assessment of the cross-sectional correlation between being affected by COVID-19 restriction measures and loneliness (May 2020), and (3) a longitudinal analysis of weekly changes (March-June 2020) in loneliness (Corona panel). Results We found (1) increased loneliness in 2020 compared with previous years, (2) a moderate positive association between the number of restriction measures older adults were affected from and their loneliness, and (3) that loneliness was higher during ’lockdown’ compared to the subsequent re-opening phase, particularly among those who live alone. Conclusion We provide evidence that COVID-19 restriction measures in Austria have indeed resulted in increased levels of loneliness among older adults. However, these effects seem to be short-lived, and thus no strong negative consequences for older adults’ mental health are expected. Nonetheless, the effects on loneliness, and subsequent mental health issues, might be both more long-lasting and severe if future restriction measures are enacted repeatedly and/or over longer time periods.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler S. Jones ◽  
Deborah Rupert

Medical student wellbeing is a topic of growing concern. Medical students experience high levels of stress and burnout and are at increased risk for depression and suicidal ideation compared to the general population. Even more concerning, medical students are disproportionately less likely to seek help for their mental health issues. Identifying and preventing these problems early can have lasting positive consequences over the course of a physician’s lifetime. We implemented a wellness program at our medical school in the spring of 2016 with the goals of decreasing burnout and depression, heightening awareness of mental health issues, and encouraging help-seeking behaviors. To analyze the impact of our program, we have implemented a quality assurance survey. Here we report lifestyle factors associated with positive screens for depression from that data and propose institutional initiatives that can be spearheaded by medical students for medical students to impact positive change.


Author(s):  
Hacer BELEN

Epidemics and pandemics are difficult periods for the affected community, specifically in the proliferation of mental health issues. In such adverse times, factors of psychological vulnerability such as propensity to worry and low emotional stability might have a detrimental effect on the mental health of the individuals. To investigate the impact of such factors on mental health, this study examined the impacts of propensity to worry and fear of COVID-19 on anxiety depending on the individuals’ levels of emotional stability. As a means of such investigation, this study was conducted based on quantitative data, and the research sample was selected using a convenient sampling method. Participants included 304 university students (71.6% were women and 28.4% were men; MAge = 22.37 ± 3.04) and responded to the Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Symptom Checklist-90 Revised, and 10-Item Personality Inventory. The moderated mediation analysis using PROCESS macro (Model 14) was performed to examine the study hypotheses. Results revealed that propensity to worry was associated with anxiety symptoms. Fear of COVID-19 mediated this link and emotional stability moderated the relationship between propensity to worry and anxiety. The findings showed that trait worry, trait emotional stability, and fear of COVID-19 are determinants of anxiety symptoms, suggesting that such factors are important in understanding these issues.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46
Author(s):  
Vijeta Singh ◽  
Taruna Gera ◽  
Rakesh Kumar Behmani

Adolescence is a developmental phase marked with a heightened risk of inception of mental health disorders. The neglect in addressing mental health issues during childhood and adolescence could lead to the development of mental health problems in later life. The perspective with which children perceive their parent's parenting influences the children's mental health. Furthermore, the gender of the parent has its impacts on the shaping of a child's personality under the patriarchal society. The present research attempted to investigate the impact of different parenting styles (paternal) on adolescents' mental health. The study sample comprised 150 adolescents of 14-17 years in age from different schools located in the state of Haryana, India. Parenting Authority Questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used to assess parenting styles and mental health. The present study's findings suggest that adolescents with a permissive parenting style have poor mental health compared with authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles. The study recommends incorporating healthy practices in parenting styles to prevent mental health issues among adolescents.


Author(s):  
Penelope Debs Keough ◽  
Jacqueline Simeon

The impact on elementary education, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, has far reaching effects and can only be ameliorated by educators following best practices in distance learning. The purpose of this chapter is to bring to teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, students, and parents innovative, effective ways to bring quality lessons at appropriate developmental levels to all students regardless of cultural backgrounds (i.e., second language learners, students qualified for special education, or those pupils hampered by trauma, homelessness, and/or mental health issues). This chapter will further describe through illustrations and step-by-step guides creating meaningful, interactive, and purposeful lessons to meet student needs based on assessment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamal Gautam ◽  
Ramesh P. Adhikari ◽  
Aman Sen Gupta ◽  
Rajan Kumar Shrestha ◽  
Pitambar Koirala ◽  
...  

Abstract Background A lower respiratory tract infection caused by novel coronavirus termed as Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) was first identified in China and subsequently took the form of pandemic. Studies on disease outbreak in the past and recent COVID-19 outbreak have demonstrated increased psychological distress and adverse impacts on mental health and psychological wellbeing of people. However, the impact of COVID-19 on psychological wellbeing of people in Nepal hasn't been studied adequately. So, this paper aims to report the findings from a social media survey on psychological impacts of COVID-19 in Nepal. Methods Data were collected through social media from 2082 Nepalese respondents between 23rd April, 2020 and 3rd May, 2020. A total of 2014 respondents who were currently residing in Nepal were included in the analysis. Results The study suggested that half of the respondents suffered from at least one symptom of psychological distress whereas 32% suffered from two or more symptoms of psychological distress such as restlessness, fearfulness, anxiety and worry and sadness in the past 2 weeks preceding the survey date. The findings further suggested that respondents having lower family income, residing in rented room, and participants from province 2 were more likely to suffer from both single and multiple symptoms of psychological distress. Conclusion The study has shown high prevalence of psychological distress amongst the Nepalese respondents following COVID-19 outbreak. Appropriate mental health and psychosocial support response needs to be instituted to adequately respond to psychological impacts of the epidemic.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 391-404
Author(s):  
Neerosh Mudaly

There is considerable research on the impact of maternal mental health issues on infants’ development. These studies emphasise the importance of early interventions to prevent the development of psychopathology later in life. In many studies infants who are involved in video-recorded studies show an observable distressed reaction. Whilst these studies have made major contributions to the field of child development, a key question that arises is: is it ethically acceptable in research with pre-verbal children for them to experience emotional distress during the research process? This article explores the ethical issues of harm and benefit from the perspective of the child. It aims further to refine discussion and understanding of children’s vulnerability and examines pre-verbal children’s ethical rights in video-recorded observation studies.


2020 ◽  
pp. 001112872095002
Author(s):  
Allison T. Chappell ◽  
Scott R. Maggard

Victimization, mental health problems, and disabilities are associated with an increased likelihood of delinquent behavior, and girls in the juvenile justice system report higher rates of past trauma and victimization, sexual abuse, and mental health issues than boys. However, the influence of these problems on juvenile justice processing remains understudied. This study investigated the impact of victimization, mental health problems, disabilities, and comorbidity on intake and adjudication decisions across gender. Data on 74,636 intake cases were obtained from the centralized database of the juvenile justice office in a mid-Atlantic state (FY 2011–2015). Findings suggest that mental health problems, victimization, and disabilities are associated with increased punitiveness at intake but few consistent gender differences emerged. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.


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