Submit to IJERPH Review for IJERPH Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

The Psychological Impact of Covid-19 on Vulnerable, Marginalized or At-Risk Groups

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 June 2021) | Viewed by 142212

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Finiki Nearchou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Psychology, University College Dublin, 4 Dublin, Ireland
Interests: resilience; youth mental health; chronic health conditions; child maltreatment; violence; psychometrics

Dr. Cliodhna O’Connor

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Ireland
Interests: psychiatric diagnosis; child and adolescent mental health; social identity; public engagement with science; risk perception

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization declared the Covid-19 outbreak a global health emergency. Since then, many governments have imposed mandatory lockdowns that required citizens to isolate or adhere to strict social distancing rules. Schools, universities and businesses closed, while access to primary medical care, mental health services, community groups and other supports has either ceased or been severely disrupted. Evidence emerging from different countries across the globe suggests that this pandemic, and the public health measures implemented to contain it, may have serious psychological repercussions. Individuals with pre-existing psychological, social, or health vulnerabilities may be at particular risk of debilitating psychological outcomes in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Groups at-risk include, but are not limited to the following: persons who live with an underlying mental or physical health condition or disability and their carers; people living in disadvantaged or deprived environments; young people and children; elderly people living alone or in residential institutions; prisoners; refugees and undocumented migrants; children and women exposed to domestic violence; homeless people; unemployed or precariously employed populations; socially stigmatized groups. There is an urgent need to gain evidence-based insight into how the psychological repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic are distributed across such groups, so this knowledge can inform targeted policy actions. For this Special Issue of IJERPH, we invite submissions that examine the psychological consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic for vulnerable, marginalized, or at-risk groups. Manuscripts that present qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method research are welcome as well as scoping and systematic reviews.

Dr. Finiki Nearchou
Dr. Cliodhna O’Connor
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

people at risk
vulnerable groups
psychological harm
children
chronic illness
violence
abuse
stigma
elderly
depression
anxiety
trauma
mental health

Published Papers (11 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 1751 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pregnant Women with Perinatal Anxiety Symptoms in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study

by Nida Rauf, Shaffaq Zulfiqar, Sidra Mumtaz, Hadia Maryam, Rabail Shoukat, Abid Malik, Armaan A. Rowther, Atif Rahman, Pamela J. Surkan and Najia Atif

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8237; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18168237 - 04 Aug 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4551

Abstract

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on people with existing mental health conditions is likely to be high. We explored the consequences of the pandemic on women of lower socioeconomic status with prenatal anxiety symptoms living in urban Rawalpindi, Pakistan. This qualitative study was embedded within an ongoing randomized controlled trial of psychosocial intervention for prenatal anxiety at a public hospital in Rawalpindi. The participants were women with symptoms of anxiety who had received or were receiving the intervention. In total, 27 interviews were conducted; 13 women were in their third trimester of pregnancy, and 14 were in their postnatal period. The data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using framework analysis. Key findings were that during the pandemic, women experienced increased perinatal anxiety that was linked to greater financial problems, uncertainties over availability of appropriate obstetric healthcare, and a lack of trust in health professionals. Women experienced increased levels of fear for their own and their baby’s health and safety, especially due to fear of infection. COVID-19 appears to have contributed to symptoms of anxiety in women already predisposed to anxiety in the prenatal period. Efforts to address women’s heightened anxiety due to the pandemic are likely to have public health benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Psychological Impact of Covid-19 on Vulnerable, Marginalized or At-Risk Groups)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 1514 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mental Health of Young Australians during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring the Roles of Employment Precarity, Screen Time, and Contact with Nature

by Tassia K. Oswald, Alice R. Rumbold, Sophie G. E. Kedzior, Mark Kohler and Vivienne M. Moore

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(11), 5630; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18115630 - 25 May 2021

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 6595

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is widely understood to have contributed to mental health problems. In Australia, young people (18–24 years) have been disproportionately affected. To date, research has predominantly focused on the presence or absence of mental illness symptoms, while aspects of mental well-being have been overlooked. We aimed to explore associations between potential risk and protective factors and mental health more comprehensively, using the Complete State Model of Mental Health. An online survey of 1004 young Australians (55% female; M age = 21.23) was undertaken. Assessment of both mental illness and mental well-being enabled participants to be cross-classified into four mental health states. Those with ‘Floundering’ (13%) or ‘Struggling’ (47.5%) mental health reported symptoms of mental illness; a ‘Languishing’ group (25.5%) did not report symptoms of mental illness but mental well-being was compromised relative to those who were ‘Flourishing’ (14%) with high mental well-being. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to examine associations, adjusting for socio-demographic confounders. Protective factors associated with Flourishing mental health included being in secure employment, using screen time to connect with others, and reporting high levels of hope. Both incidental and purposive contact with nature were also associated with Flourishing, while a lack of green/bluespace within walking distance was associated with Languishing, absence of outdoor residential space was associated with Floundering, and lower neighbourhood greenness was associated with all three suboptimal mental health states. Precarious employment, financial stress, living alone, reporting decreased screen time during lockdowns, lower levels of hope, and high disruption of core beliefs were also associated with Struggling and Floundering mental health. Those who were Languishing reported somewhat less hardship and little disruption to core beliefs, but lower levels of hope compared to young people who were Flourishing. This study highlights that young adults require dedicated mental health services to deal with current burden, but should also be supported through a range of preventive strategies which target mental health risk factors, like precarious employment, and enhance protective factors, such as urban green infrastructure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Psychological Impact of Covid-19 on Vulnerable, Marginalized or At-Risk Groups)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 678 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mental Health and the Symptoms of PTSD in People with Depression and Anxiety Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Paulina Beata Golińska, Mariusz Cieślak, Olimpia Hubert and Mariola Bidzan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(11), 5542; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18115542 - 22 May 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2846

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic in people with no diagnosis of mental illness, as well as in people who were diagnosed with depression or anxiety. Moreover, this study aimed to investigate the interplay between PTSD symptoms and self-assessed mental health associated with well-being. The 210 participants were divided into 3 groups: mentally healthy, participants with diagnosed depression, and participants with anxiety disorders. To evaluate the subjective well-being of the participants, the Polish adaptation of the Mental Health Continuum–Short Form (MHC–SF) was applied. The Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) was used to measure the severity of PTSD symptoms. At least a moderate worsening of PTSD symptoms was observed in participants of all groups. The results were as follows: healthy participants M = 37.35 (SD = 18.46); participants with depression M = 36.05 (SD = 18.02); participants with anxiety M = 44.52 (SD = 18.08). The participants diagnosed with depression showed the lowest level of mental well-being M = 41.58 (SD = 15.02). Conclusion: People diagnosed with depression had both the lowest level of well-being and the lowest severity of symptoms specific to PTSD. In all three groups, lower emotional well-being was linked to greater PTSD symptoms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Psychological Impact of Covid-19 on Vulnerable, Marginalized or At-Risk Groups)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 339 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Lay Beliefs about the Cause and Course of Mental Illness?

by Cliodhna O’Connor

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(9), 4912; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18094912 - 05 May 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2701

Abstract

COVID-19 and its countermeasures have negatively impacted the mental health of populations worldwide. The current paper considers whether the rising incidence of psychiatric symptoms during the pandemic may affect lay beliefs about the cause and course of mental illness. Laypeople’s causal attributions and expectations regarding the trajectory of mental illness have important implications for societal stigma and therapeutic orientations. Two online experimental studies investigated whether reading about fictional cases of mental illness that were explicitly situated during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with reading about the same cases without any pandemic-related contextualisation, affected attributions and expectations about Generalised Anxiety Disorder (Study 1) and Major Depressive Disorder (Study 2). Study 1 (n = 137) results showed that highlighting the onset of anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic weakened attributions to biological causes and reduced the anticipated duration of symptoms. However, Study 2 (n = 129) revealed no effects of COVID-19 contextualisation on beliefs about the cause or course of depression. The research provides preliminary evidence that the increased incidence of mental illness during the pandemic may reshape public beliefs about certain mental illnesses. Given the importance of public understandings for the lived experience of mentally unwell persons in society, further evidence of the range and extent of the pandemic’s effects on lay beliefs is important to inform clinical, public health and stigma-reduction initiatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Psychological Impact of Covid-19 on Vulnerable, Marginalized or At-Risk Groups)

17 pages, 1276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“If You Can’t Control the Wind, Adjust Your Sail”: Tips for Post-Pandemic Benefit Finding from Young Adults Living with Multiple Sclerosis. A Qualitative Study

by Silvia Poli, Michela Rimondini, Alberto Gajofatto, Maria Angela Mazzi, Isolde Martina Busch, Francesca Gobbin, Federico Schena, Lidia Del Piccolo and Valeria Donisi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(8), 4156; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18084156 - 14 Apr 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3024

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted the wellbeing of people worldwide, potentially increasing maladaptive psychological responses of vulnerable populations. Although young adults with multiple sclerosis (yawMS) might be at greater risk of developing psychological distress linked to the pandemic, they might also be able to adapt to stress and find meaning in adverse life events. The aim of the present study was to explore benefit finding in response to the pandemic in a sample of yawMS. As part of a larger project, data were collected using a cross-sectional, web-based survey. Benefit finding was analysed using a qualitative thematic approach; descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to describe the sample and compare sub-groups. Out of 247 respondents with mostly relapsing-remitting MS, 199 (31.9 ± 6.97 years) reported at least one benefit. Qualitative analysis showed that during the pandemic yawMS found benefits related to three themes: personal growth, relational growth, and existential growth. No differences in benefit finding were found between age sub-groups (18–30 vs. 31–45). Participants reported a wide range of benefits, some of which seem to be specific to MS or the pandemic. Results have been transformed into tips to be introduced in clinical practice to promote resilience in yawMS through meaning making. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Psychological Impact of Covid-19 on Vulnerable, Marginalized or At-Risk Groups)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 5312 KiB

Open AccessArticle

‘I’m Gonna Tell You about How Mrs Rona Has Affected Me’. Exploring Young People’s Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in North East England: A Qualitative Diary-Based Study

by Stephanie Scott, Victoria J. McGowan and Shelina Visram

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(7), 3837; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18073837 - 06 Apr 2021

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 12772

Abstract

Children and young people risk being ‘disproportionately harmed’ by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst an evolving body of literature focuses on the impact of the pandemic on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, less attention has been paid to the collection of qualitative, exploratory data. The aim of this study was to examine young people in North East England’s experiences of COVID-19 and associated control measures. Flexible, qualitative diaries were collected with 31 young people aged 13–17 for six weeks between July and October 2020. Diary extracts were curated using Instagram Direct Messaging (DM), email and text messaging. At the end of this study, participants took part in a follow-up interview (conducted by telephone or Zoom), asking them to reflect on their diary entries. Thematic analysis of diaries and interviews yielded three central themes: (1) impacts upon mental health and emotional wellbeing; (2) disruptions and changes to education and school life; and (3) frustration, burden and responsibility. These findings highlight acute mental health impacts (loneliness, isolation, anxiety) as well as longer-term repercussions from disrupted education (missed parts of curriculum, home schooling, cancelled exams, periods of isolation) on young people aged 13–17 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Psychological Impact of Covid-19 on Vulnerable, Marginalized or At-Risk Groups)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 344 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Rare Diseases during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Juan Carlos Sánchez-García, Jonathan Cortés-Martín, Raquel Rodríguez-Blanque, Ana Eugenia Marín-Jiménez, Maria Montiel-Troya and Lourdes Díaz-Rodríguez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(6), 3234; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18063234 - 21 Mar 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3377

Abstract

Scientific knowledge on depression and anxiety in patients with rare diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic is scarce; however, it is essential to perform comprehensive management of these patients. The aim of this study was to research how the situation caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has influenced the lives of patients with rare diseases regarding depression and anxiety. This Spanish study considered a heterogeneous population sample of 86 patients with confirmed diagnosis of different rare diseases. Participants took part in a cross-sectional online study by completing specific questionnaires on the study topic. Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was used for evaluating anxiety. Data collection through an online questionnaire allowed for a greater population scope and therefore the inclusion patients of other nationalities in the study sample. Finally, as a general result, this study found that, in the face of the pandemic, anxiety and depression remained at a higher level in this group than in the general population, making these patients a vulnerable population group. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Psychological Impact of Covid-19 on Vulnerable, Marginalized or At-Risk Groups)

12 pages, 580 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mental Health Burden of German Cancer Patients before and after the Outbreak of COVID-19: Predictors of Mental Health Impairment

by Alexander Bäuerle, Venja Musche, Kira Schmidt, Adam Schweda, Madeleine Fink, Benjamin Weismüller, Hannah Kohler, Ken Herrmann, Mitra Tewes, Dirk Schadendorf, Eva-Maria Skoda and Martin Teufel

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(5), 2318; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18052318 - 26 Feb 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3502

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze individual changes in cancer patients’ mental health before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, and to explore predictors of mental health impairment. Over a two-week period (16–30 March 2020), 150 cancer patients in Germany participated in this study. Validated instruments assessed demographic and medical data, depression and anxiety symptoms (PHQ-2, GAD-2), distress (DT), and health status (EQ-5D-3L). All instruments were adapted to measure the individual mental health before the COVID-19 outbreak. COVID-19-related fear, trust in governmental actions to face COVID-19, and the subjective level of information regarding COVID-19 were measured. Cancer patients showed a significant increase in depression and anxiety symptoms and distress, while health status deteriorated since the COVID-19 outbreak. Increased depression and generalized anxiety symptoms were predicted by COVID-19-related fear. Trust in governmental actions to face COVID-19 and COVID-19-related fear predicted increases in distress. Higher subjective levels of information predicted less increasing anxiety symptoms and distress. Present data suggests that cancer patients experienced a significant increase in mental health burden since the COVID-19 outbreak. Observed predictors of mental health impairment and protective factors should be addressed, and appropriate interventions established, to maintain mental health of cancer patients during the pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Psychological Impact of Covid-19 on Vulnerable, Marginalized or At-Risk Groups)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 315 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Prevalence and Risk Factors of COVID-19 Symptoms among U.S. Adults with Allergies

by Marlene Camacho-Rivera, Jessica Yasmine Islam, Denise Christina Vidot and Sunit Jariwala

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(5), 2231; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18052231 - 24 Feb 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3286

Abstract

Background: This study sought to evaluate COVID-19 associated physical and mental health symptoms among adults with allergies compared to the general U.S. adult population. Methods: Data for these analyses were obtained from the publicly available COVID-19 Household Impact Survey, which provides national and regional statistics about physical health, mental health, economic security, and social dynamics among U.S. adults (ages 18 and older). Data from 20–26 April 2020; 4–10 May 2020; and 30 May–8 June 2020 were included. Our primary outcomes for this analysis were physical and mental health symptoms experienced in the last seven days. The primary predictor was participants’ self-report of a physician diagnosis of an allergy. Results/Discussion: This study included 10,760 participants, of whom 44% self-reported having allergies. Adults with allergies were more likely to report physical symptoms compared to adults without allergies including fever (aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.44–1.99), cough (aOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.60–2.26), shortness of breath (aOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.71–2.43), and loss of taste or sense of smell (aOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.58–2.28). Adults with allergies were more likely to report feeling nervous (cOR 1.34, 95% CI 1.13, 1.60), depressed (cOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.11–1.57), lonely (cOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.04–1.47), hopeless (cOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.21–1.72), or having physical reactions when thinking about COVID-19 pandemic (cOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.44–2.82), compared to those without allergies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, adults with allergies are more likely to report physical and mental health symptoms compared to individuals without allergies. These findings have important implications for diagnostic and treatment challenges for allergy physicians. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Psychological Impact of Covid-19 on Vulnerable, Marginalized or At-Risk Groups)

15 pages, 339 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Qualitative Study of Child and Adolescent Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ireland

by Katriona O’Sullivan, Serena Clark, Amy McGrane, Nicole Rock, Lydia Burke, Neasa Boyle, Natasha Joksimovic and Kevin Marshall

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(3), 1062; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18031062 - 25 Jan 2021

Cited by 168 | Viewed by 57862

Abstract

Mitigating the adverse physical health risks associated with COVID-19 has been a priority of public health incentives. Less attention has been placed on understanding the psychological factors related to the global pandemic, especially among vulnerable populations. This qualitative study sought to understand the experiences of children and adolescents during COVID-19. This study interviewed 48 families during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, and a national lockdown, to understand its impacts. The study used an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology. Parents and children discussed the negative impact of the restrictions on young people’s wellbeing. Children and adolescents experienced adverse mental health effects, including feelings of social isolation, depression, anxiety, and increases in maladaptive behaviour. Families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders reported increased mental health difficulties during this period mostly due to changes to routine. The findings highlight the impact of severe restrictions on vulnerable populations’ wellbeing and mental health outcomes, including children, adolescents, and those with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Psychological Impact of Covid-19 on Vulnerable, Marginalized or At-Risk Groups)

Review

Jump to: Research

19 pages, 763 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health Outcomes in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

by Finiki Nearchou, Clodagh Flinn, Rachel Niland, Sheena Siva Subramaniam and Eilis Hennessy

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(22), 8479; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17228479 - 16 Nov 2020

Cited by 355 | Viewed by 38349

Abstract

The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been widely discussed during the past few months, with scholars expressing concern about its potential debilitating consequences on youth mental health. Hence, this research aimed to provide a systematic review of the evidence on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on youth mental health. We conducted a mixed methods integrated review to identify any empirical study that focused on young people ≤ 18 years old. Eight databases were systematically searched to identify studies of any type of research design. The selection procedure followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The protocol of this systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (protocol ID: CRD4202019375). Twelve studies deemed eligible for data extraction (n = 12,262). The findings show that COVID-19 has an impact on youth mental health and is particularly associated with depression and anxiety in adolescent cohorts. The quality appraisal indicated that all studies were of low or moderate methodological quality. The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting young people’s lives, and thus generating robust research evidence to inform policy decisions is essential. Hence, the methodological quality of future research should be drastically improved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Psychological Impact of Covid-19 on Vulnerable, Marginalized or At-Risk Groups)

► Show Figures