Importance of connectedness for the management of embitterment and loneliness in the era of COVID-19
10 Jun 2021-Journal of The Korean Medical Association (Korean Medical Association)-Vol. 64, Iss: 6, pp 394-399
TL;DR: It is needed to establish a next standard of mental health service such as untact diagnosis and follow-up support system even after the COVID-19 crisis, rather than stopgap measures made with people's sacrifice as collateral.
Abstract: Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has made 'untact' life a new standard (next normal) way of life, minimizing physical contacts among people. Emotional exchanges between people are rapidly being replaced by contact through the Internet, social networks, and over-the-top services. Current Concepts: People are expressing more stress and anxiety that are caused by fear of infection, and also embitterment due to perceived distrust and injustice is increasing. In the era of COVID-19, it is necessary and important to manage burnout, depression, and anxiety symptoms of medical staff and quarantine personnel. The pandemic and the resulting social changes intensifies loneliness, leading to deterioration in mental and physical health. The World Health Organization has warned that loneliness and social isolation are leading to the exacerbation of physical illness and increased mortality due to suicide and other mental health problems. Discussion and Conclusion: It is needed to establish a next standard of mental health service such as untact diagnosis and follow-up support system. Government and society should establish a sustainable system even after the COVID-19 crisis, rather than stopgap measures made with people's sacrifice as collateral.
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TL;DR: The authors examined the complex associations among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk perception, social distancing, social connectedness, and loneliness in younger, middle-aged, and older Korean adults.
Abstract: This study examined the complex associations among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk perception, social distancing, social connectedness, and loneliness, as well as the mediating effects of social distancing and social connectedness in these associations in younger, middle-aged, and older Korean adults. We used multigroup structural equation modeling to analyze the results of a cross-sectional survey of 2,400 Korean adults aged 20 years or older. We found statistically significant age group differences in the mean values of COVID-19 risk perception, social distancing, social connectedness, and loneliness. The younger group showed significant associations among all major variables in the structural equation model, while their older counterparts demonstrated a significant association between COVID-19 risk perception and loneliness. Social distancing and social connectedness mediated the effect of COVID-19 risk perception on loneliness only for the younger group. In addition, we found significant mediating effects of social connectedness on the association between COVID-19 risk perception and loneliness in the middle-aged and older groups. Our findings imply that social distancing and social connectedness have impacted Korean adults’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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TL;DR: Overall, the influence of both objective and subjective social isolation on risk for mortality is comparable with well-established risk factors for mortality.
Abstract: Actual and perceived social isolation are both associated with increased risk for early mortality. In this meta-analytic review, our objective is to establish the overall and relative magnitude of social isolation and loneliness and to examine possible moderators. We conducted a literature search of studies (January 1980 to February 2014) using MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Social Work Abstracts, and Google Scholar. The included studies provided quantitative data on mortality as affected by loneliness, social isolation, or living alone. Across studies in which several possible confounds were statistically controlled for, the weighted average effect sizes were as follows: social isolation odds ratio (OR) = 1.29, loneliness OR = 1.26, and living alone OR = 1.32, corresponding to an average of 29%, 26%, and 32% increased likelihood of mortality, respectively. We found no differences between measures of objective and subjective social isolation. Results remain consistent across gender, length of follow-up, and world region, but initial health status has an influence on the findings. Results also differ across participant age, with social deficits being more predictive of death in samples with an average age younger than 65 years. Overall, the influence of both objective and subjective social isolation on risk for mortality is comparable with well-established risk factors for mortality.
3,157 citations
TL;DR: Current understanding of the mechanisms by which the innate and adaptive immune systems interact with neurotransmitters and neurocircuits to influence the risk for depression are detailed.
Abstract: Crosstalk between inflammatory pathways and neurocircuits in the brain can lead to behavioural responses, such as avoidance and alarm, that are likely to have provided early humans with an evolutionary advantage in their interactions with pathogens and predators. However, in modern times, such interactions between inflammation and the brain appear to drive the development of depression and may contribute to non-responsiveness to current antidepressant therapies. Recent data have elucidated the mechanisms by which the innate and adaptive immune systems interact with neurotransmitters and neurocircuits to influence the risk for depression. Here, we detail our current understanding of these pathways and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting the immune system to treat depression.
2,133 citations
TL;DR: This systematic review and meta-analysis of existing research works and findings in relation to the prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic found that it is essential to preserve the mental health of individuals and to develop psychological interventions that can improve themental health of vulnerable groups during the pandemic.
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on public mental health Therefore, monitoring and oversight of the population mental health during crises such as a panedmic is an immediate priority The aim of this study is to analyze the existing research works and findings in relation to the prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic In this systematic review and meta-analysis, articles that have focused on stress and anxiety prevalence among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic were searched in the Science Direct, Embase, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science (ISI) and Google Scholar databases, without a lower time limit and until May 2020 In order to perform a meta-analysis of the collected studies, the random effects model was used, and the heterogeneity of studies was investigated using the I2 index Moreover data analysis was conducted using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software The prevalence of stress in 5 studies with a total sample size of 9074 is obtained as 296% (95% confidence limit: 243–354), the prevalence of anxiety in 17 studies with a sample size of 63,439 as 319% (95% confidence interval: 275–367), and the prevalence of depression in 14 studies with a sample size of 44,531 people as 337% (95% confidence interval: 275–406) COVID-19 not only causes physical health concerns but also results in a number of psychological disorders The spread of the new coronavirus can impact the mental health of people in different communities Thus, it is essential to preserve the mental health of individuals and to develop psychological interventions that can improve the mental health of vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic
2,133 citations
TL;DR: The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that during the acute illness, common symptoms among patients admitted to hospital for SARS or MERS included confusion and depression, and in one study traumatic memories.
1,701 citations
TL;DR: The research into neurological complications in CoV infections and the possible mechanisms of damage to the nervous system are reviewed.
Abstract: Viral infections have detrimental impacts on neurological functions, and even to cause severe neurological damage. Very recently, coronaviruses (CoV), especially severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV 2 (SARS-CoV-2), exhibit neurotropic properties and may also cause neurological diseases. It is reported that CoV can be found in the brain or cerebrospinal fluid. The pathobiology of these neuroinvasive viruses is still incompletely known, and it is therefore important to explore the impact of CoV infections on the nervous system. Here, we review the research into neurological complications in CoV infections and the possible mechanisms of damage to the nervous system.
1,496 citations