-
Diagnosis (Berlin, Germany) Nov 2021Since its initial outbreak in late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the global community. In addition to the negative health consequences of... (Review)
Review
Since its initial outbreak in late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the global community. In addition to the negative health consequences of contracting COVID-19, the implementation of strict quarantine and lockdown measures has also disrupted social networks and devastated the global economy. As a result, there is rising concern that the pandemic has taken a toll on the mental health of the general population. To better understand its impact, an increasing number of studies examined the effects of the pandemic on mental health and psychosocial implications of enforced quarantine and lockdown. In this article, we aim to review and summarize the findings from a variety of studies that have explored the psychosociological effects of the pandemic and its impact on the mental well-being of the general population. We will also examine how various demographic groups, such as the elderly and youth, can be more susceptible or resilient to the pandemic's mental health effects. We hope to provide a broader understanding of the underlying causes of mental health issues triggered by the pandemic and provide recommendations that may be employed to address mental health issues in the population over the long-term.
Topics: Adolescent; Aged; COVID-19; Communicable Disease Control; Humans; Mental Health; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34214386
DOI: 10.1515/dx-2021-0046 -
Child and Adolescent Mental Health May 2022The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented threat to global mental health. Children and adolescents may be more susceptible to mental health impacts related to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented threat to global mental health. Children and adolescents may be more susceptible to mental health impacts related to their vulnerable developmental stage, fear of infection, home confinement, suspension of regular school and extracurricular activities, physical distancing mandates, and larger scale threats such as global financial recessions and associated impacts. Our objective was to review existing evidence of the COVID-19 pandemic's global impact on the mental health of children and adolescents <19 years of age and to identify personal and contextual factors that may enhance risk or confer protection in relation to mental health outcomes.
METHODS
We conducted a search of peer-reviewed and preprint research published in English from January 1, 2020, to February 22, 2021. We included studies collecting primary data on COVID-19-related mental health impacts on children and adolescents. We graded the strength of included articles using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine rating scheme.
RESULTS
Our search and review yielded 116 articles presenting data on a total of 127,923 children and adolescents; 50,984 child and adolescent proxy reports (e.g., parents, healthcare practitioners); and >3,000 chart reviews. A high prevalence of COVID-19-related fear was noted among children and adolescents, as well as more depressive and anxious symptoms compared with prepandemic estimates. Older adolescents, girls, and children and adolescents living with neurodiversities and/or chronic physical conditions were more likely to experience negative mental health outcomes. Many studies reported mental health deterioration among children and adolescents due to COVID-19 pandemic control measures. Physical exercise, access to entertainment, positive familial relationships, and social support were associated with better mental health outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
This review highlights the urgent need for practitioners and policymakers to attend to and collaborate with children and adolescents, especially those in higher risk subgroups, to mitigate short- and long-term pandemic-associated mental health effects.
Topics: Adolescent; Anxiety; COVID-19; Child; Exercise; Female; Humans; Mental Health; Pandemics
PubMed: 34455683
DOI: 10.1111/camh.12501 -
Annals of African Medicine 2021Health is a human right anchored in values as a basic necessity of life. It promotes the well-being of persons, communities, economic prosperity, and national... (Review)
Review
Health is a human right anchored in values as a basic necessity of life. It promotes the well-being of persons, communities, economic prosperity, and national development. The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caught the world unaware and unprepared. It presented a huge challenge to the health and economic systems of every country. Across the spectrum of human endeavor and liberty, several ethical questions have been raised with regard to its management, particularly the public health control measures. Decisions for pandemic control measures are made under difficult circumstances driven by urgency and panic, with uncertainties and complexities for public goods over individual rights. Global solidarity in controlling the pandemic is being tested. National governments have the responsibility to protect public health on the grounds of common good. Political considerations should not be the basis for decision-making against the best available epidemiological data from pandemic disease dynamics. Hence, the need to adhere to the values of honesty, trust, human dignity, solidarity, reciprocity, accountability, transparency, and justice are major considerations. A literature search was conducted for the publications from academic databases and websites of health-relevant organizations. I discuss the ethical questions and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of public health control measures using the standard ethical principles of respect for autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and social (distributive) justice. It is observed that, at the country level, the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines are used to control the pandemic. As WHO through the COVAX strategy distributes the vaccines to less developed countries, a lot still needs to be done to address the complex bottlenecks of allocation and distribution. There is a need to ensure acceptable and transparent system that promotes cooperation, equitable access, and fair distribution of vaccines on a global scale.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Pandemics; Public Health; SARS-CoV-2; Social Justice
PubMed: 34558443
DOI: 10.4103/aam.aam_80_20 -
Nature Communications Sep 2022Over the last two and a half years, has received thousands of submissions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and accepted hundreds for publication. To showcase the...
Over the last two and a half years, has received thousands of submissions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and accepted hundreds for publication. To showcase the breadth and quality of this work, we are now launching a COVID-19 Collection, and here we reflect on our editorial processes during this period.
Topics: Pandemics; Publishing
PubMed: 36127331
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33051-z -
Archives of Women's Mental Health Dec 2020The current worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has changed the modus operandi of all segments of society. While some pandemic-related stressors affect nearly everyone, many... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
The current worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has changed the modus operandi of all segments of society. While some pandemic-related stressors affect nearly everyone, many especially affect women.
PURPOSE
To review what is known about the pandemic's effect on women's mental health, what makes them more predisposed to vulnerabilities and adverse impacts, and strategies for preventing and treating these mental health consequences in the female population during specific stages across the lifespan.
METHODS
The authors performed a narrative review in combination with their observations from clinical experience in the field of women's mental health and reproductive psychiatry. Articles on women's mental health and COVID-19 up to May 30, 2020, were searched using the electronic PubMed and PsychInfo databases, as well as publications by major health entities (e.g., World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United Nations) and press releases from prime communication outlets (e.g., National Public Radio).
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Women who are pregnant, postpartum, miscarrying, or experiencing intimate partner violence are at especially high risk for developing mental health problems during the pandemic. Proactive outreach to these groups of women and enhancement of social supports could lead to prevention, early detection, and prompt treatment. Social support is a key protective factor. Similarly, parenting may be substantially more stressful during a pandemic. Gender disparities may be accentuated, particularly for employed women or single parents, as women are disproportionately responsible for the bulk of domestic tasks, including childcare and eldercare.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Intimate Partner Violence; Mental Health; Pandemics; Quarantine; SARS-CoV-2; Social Isolation; Social Support; Women's Health
PubMed: 33263142
DOI: 10.1007/s00737-020-01092-2 -
The Psychiatric Clinics of North America Mar 2022The American pediatric mental health system is in crisis; the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and exacerbated existing gaps. All youth were affected by the pandemic, an... (Review)
Review
The American pediatric mental health system is in crisis; the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and exacerbated existing gaps. All youth were affected by the pandemic, an impact medicated by mental illness, the closing of schools, reduced access to mental health services, loss and bereavement, and financial and emotional stress on families. The pandemic's fallout is likely to be felt for years to come as today's youth move through successive developmental stages. Improvements in health care systems for youth, innovations in how care is delivered, and ongoing community support for recovery and resilience are needed moving forward.
Topics: Adolescent; COVID-19; Child; Child Psychiatry; Humans; Mental Health; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35219434
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2021.11.009 -
Annals of Family Medicine 2022
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35131752
DOI: 10.1370/afm.2786 -
PeerJ 2022The COVID-19 pandemic has had a wide range of negative physical and mental impacts. This review begins with a theoretical explanation of the psychological defense... (Review)
Review
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a wide range of negative physical and mental impacts. This review begins with a theoretical explanation of the psychological defense mechanisms used to deal with the pandemic. It then discusses different categories of defense mechanisms and their roles in managing the impacts of psychological distress. The aim of this review is to highlight the various psychological defense mechanisms individuals use to deal with the pandemic and to discuss how adjustment mechanisms can protect individuals from internal and external threats by shielding the integrity of the ego (the mind) and helping individuals maintain their self-schema.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Pandemics; Psychological Distress; Defense Mechanisms
PubMed: 35186458
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12811 -
African Health Sciences Dec 2020
Topics: COVID-19; Editorial Policies; Humans; Pandemics; Periodicals as Topic; Public Health
PubMed: 34394272
DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v20i4.1 -
Current Opinion in Pediatrics Feb 2022The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in great and rapid change in our society. Although children are somewhat less likely to get infected or have severe symptoms from... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in great and rapid change in our society. Although children are somewhat less likely to get infected or have severe symptoms from COVID-19, they are being adversely affected by this global public health emergency in many direct and indirect ways. This review focuses on the major areas in which children and adolescents are suffering, and how pediatricians can anticipate and optimize child healthcare and support as the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath continues.
RECENT FINDINGS
This review provides preliminary insights into the physical, psychological, educational, developmental, behavioral, and social health implications of the pandemic on the pediatric population, highlighting both the pandemic's current and potential future impact on children.
SUMMARY
The COVID-19 pandemic has and will likely continue to adversely affect many different aspects of children's health and well-being. It is important for pediatricians to be aware of these consequences of COVID-19 and take steps to help their patients now and in the future. Because the virus continues to ravage many parts of the world, continued research is needed to identify and evaluate any additional COVID-related challenges and concerns that adversely impact the growth and development of children.
Topics: Adolescent; COVID-19; Child; Child Health; Family; Humans; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34923563
DOI: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000001097