Stress and Parenting During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Psychosocial Impact on Children

The literature on the mental health consequences of public health emergencies, especially for children from developing countries, is sparse and has become available only very recently. Understanding the uncertainties and emotional upheavals experienced by parents and their association with the mental health of children would enable the clinicians to design culturally sensitive intervention programs. The study examined the relationship between parenting stress and emotional and behavioral problems among Indian children during COVID-19 times. A total of 199 parents (Mothers = 72.8%) responded to an online survey that assessed parenting stress [1], positive and negative emotions [2], and emotional and behavioral problems of children [3]. The project was cleared by the ethics committee of the institute. The mean age was 10.1 y (SD = 4.40) and the Male is to Female ratio was 1.11:1. Parents reported significantly higher parenting stress (F = 24.88, P = 0.0001), higher negative affect (F = 11.58, P = 0.0001), and lower positive affect (F = 13.19, P = 0.0001) when their children’s score on the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was in the abnormal range. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that 35.7% of the variance in the total SDQ scores was accounted by total parenting stress, negative affect, and positive affect (F = 37.70, P = 0.0001).

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What are the drugs having potential against COVID-19?

In this review, we focused on some medicines that have already started with the repositioning for COVID-19 therapy. The repositioning clinical trials seem to be an attractive strategy, thus, the discovery of new classes of drug can be easier, the costs and time for reaching the market can decrease, the pharmaceutical supply chain is available for formulation and distribution, more therapy methods are possible by combining the drugs. We hope that the continuing studies may provide solutions for the prevention and therapy against the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Past Epidemics, Natural Disasters, COVID19, and Mental Health: Learning from History as we Deal with the Present and Prepare for the Future

As cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue to rise, psychological endurance is a challenge many people will face. For mental health, heightened stress responses to the pandemic, is likely to manifest in three ways: 1) development of a new episode of a disorder in those with a predisposition to a major psychiatric disorder or an acute exacerbation in those who already have such a disorder, 2) development of a trauma or stressor related disorder, such as acute stress disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or adjustment disorders, and 3) development of a symptomatic stress response that does not meet the diagnostic criteria of a psychiatric disorder. The authors reviewed existing literature on past epidemics, natural disasters, and COVID-19 with a focus on psychiatry and mental health. Psychological effects of past epidemics (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoV-1, Ebola, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, the Anthrax threat), past natural disasters, and current COVID-19 data suggest numerous psychological effects following the pandemic. Alcohol use, PTSD, anxiety, anger, fear of contagion, perceived risk, uncertainty, and distrust are a few of the immediate and long-term effects that are likely to result from the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying people in need of mental health care and determining the appropriate psychiatric services and therapy needed will be important. Increasing the use and availability of telehealth, group meetings, and online resources are some ways that health care workers can prepare for the increasing demand of psychiatric services during and following the pandemic.

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Effects of COVID-19 Confinement on the Household Routines Of Children

This study aimed to determine how confinement affects children’s routines, more specifically their physical activity (PA) and sedentary time. An online survey was launched to assess how Portuguese children under 13 years of age adjusted their daily routines to confinement. Parents reported the time each child was engaged in different activities throughout the day, which was used to calculate overall sedentary time and overall physical activity time. Based on the data of 2159 children, our study showed that during confinement: (i) there was a decrease in children’s physical activity time and an increase in screen time and family activities; (ii) boys engaged in more playful screen Time than girls (p < 0.05), and girls played more without PA than boys (p < 0.05); (iii) along the age groups, there was a trend for an increase of the overall sedentary time and an associated decrease of the overall physical activity time. In summary, PA of confined children showed low levels and a clear decreasing trend along childhood. Conjoint family and societal strategies to target specific age groups should be organized in the future.

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Impact of Covid–19 Pandemic on Psychological Health of The Elderly Population

Senior citizens (60 years and above) are more vulnerable than others in all spheres of their lives. But, the present Covid–19 pandemic is accelerating their condition additionally worsening especially their mental well-being. The present study focused to access the psychological condition of the elderly citizen in this pandemic environment. This cross-sectional study was conducted between the period from 13th August to 31st August 2020 and was based on a pre-designed survey schedule/questionnaire using non-probability sampling. A total of 212 (aged =60 years) participants (118 males and 94 females) completed the survey. To collect information on basic socio-economic background and psychological phenomena both telephonic interviews and online surveys through Google Forms were used. A Chi-square test was applied to know the gender differences of all variables. The findings of the study revealed that half of the participants faced psychological dilemmas due to this pandemic. Covid–19 pandemic negatively impacted their scheduled or planned interests (41.04%) and exacerbated boredom in their life (52.36%) for a long period. They were also more anxious (48.58%) about their family members, health, income, etc. There were no gender differences except the variables of anxiousness and isolation. Older people have shown more psychological distress irrespective of their sexes. These phenomena are not even reported by first-hand information. So, this is a prior thrusting area to report more and more and develop a strategy for their psychological well-being.

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How Social Support Contributes to Psychological Health

Social support is often identified as a key component of solid relationships and strong psychological health, but what exactly does it mean? Essentially, social support involves having a network of family and friends that you can turn to in times of need.

Whether you are facing a personal crisis and need immediate assistance, or you just want to spend time with people who care about you, these relationships play a critical role in how you function in your day-to-day life.

It is social support that builds people up during times of stress and often gives them the strength to carry on and even thrive.

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Social Isolation Provokes Brain Activity Similar to That Seen During Hunger Cravings

Activity in the substantia nigra is similar following a day of social isolation as it is following a day of starvation.

Since the coronavirus pandemic began in the spring, many people have only seen their close friends and loved ones during video calls, if at all. A new study from MIT finds that the longings we feel during this kind of social isolation share a neural basis with the food cravings we feel when hungry.

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COVID-19: The downside of social distancing

Social distancing, while essential for public health during the coronavirus pandemic, thwarts the human impulse to draw together in times of danger.

When faced with danger, humans draw closer together. Social distancing thwarts this impulse. Professor Ophelia Deroy from Ludwigs-Maximilians Universitaet in Munich (LMU) and colleagues argue that this dilemma poses a greater threat to society than overtly antisocial behavior.

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Social isolation during adolescence drives long-term disruptions in social behavior

Social isolation during key periods of adolescence leads to long-term disruptions in social behavior and activity in neural patterns.

Mount Sinai Researchers find social isolation during key developmental windows drives long term changes to activity patterns of neurons involved in initiating social approach in an animal model.

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The neurobiology of social distance: Why loneliness may be the biggest threat to survival and longevity

Study explores the wide-ranging, negative effects of social isolation on both psychological and physiological well-being.

Never before have we experienced social isolation on a massive scale as we have during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. A new paper published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences explores the wide-ranging, negative consequences that social isolation has on our psychological well-being and physical health, including decreased life span. The paper was co-authored by Associate Professor Danilo Bzdok (McGill University and Mila Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute) and Emeritus Professor Robin Dunbar (University of Oxford).

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