The novel Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020, impacting the lifestyles, economy, physical and mental health of individuals globally. This study aimed to test the model triggered by physical symptoms resembling COVID-19 infection, in which the need for health information and perceived impact of the pandemic mediated the path sequentially, leading to adverse mental health outcomes. A cross-sectional research design with chain mediation model involving 4612 participants from participating 8 countries selected via a respondent-driven sampling strategy was used. Participants completed online questionnaires on physical symptoms, the need for health information, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) questionnaire and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The results showed that Poland and the Philippines were the two countries with the highest levels of anxiety, depression and stress; conversely, Vietnam had the lowest mean scores in these areas. Chain mediation model showed the need for health information, and the perceived impact of the pandemic were sequential mediators between physical symptoms resembling COVID-19 infection (predictor) and consequent mental health status (outcome). Excessive and contradictory health information might increase the perceived impact of the pandemic. Rapid COVID-19 testing should be implemented to minimize the psychological burden associated with physical symptoms, whilst public mental health interventions could target adverse mental outcomes associated with the pandemic.
The broad impact of the COVID-19 on self-reported daily behaviors and health in Chinese and US samples remains unknown. This study aimed to compare physical and mental health between people from the United States (U.S.) and China, and to correlate mental health parameters with variables relating to physical symptoms, knowledge about COVID-19, and precautionary health behaviors. To minimize risk of exposure, respondents were electronically invited by existing study respondents or by data sourcing software and surveys were completed via online survey platforms. Information was collected on demographics, physical symptoms, contact history, knowledge about COVID-19, psychologic parameters (i.e. IES-R; DASS-21), and health behaviors. The study included a total of 1445 respondents (584 U.S.; 861 China). Overall, Americans reported more physical symptoms, contact history, and perceived likelihood of contracting COVID-19. Americans reported more stress and depressive symptoms, while Chinese reported higher acute-traumatic stress symptoms. Differences were identified regarding face mask use and desires for COVID-19 related health information, with differential mental health implications. Physical symptoms that were possibly COVID-19 related were associated with adverse mental health. Overall, American and Chinese participants reported different mental and physical health parameters, health behaviors, precautionary measures, and knowledge of COVID-19; different risk and protective factors were also identified. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10865-021-00237-7.
Introduction Approximately 44% of patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) experience some form of shock anxiety, associated with cardiac fear, physical inactivity, and increased morbidity and mortality. The Florida Shock Anxiety Scale (FSAS) was created to measure ICD‐specific fears for a more precise target of patient psychologic distress and potential need for intervention. The current paper describes results from a focused literature review of studies using FSAS over the past 15 years, with the aim of summarizing its current reliability and validity, associated outcomes, and potential future directions for its clinical and research implementation. Methods In this review, 26 peer‐reviewed articles were analyzed and selected from an in‐depth literature search of two electronic databases. Results The reliability and validity of FSAS has been upheld since its initial validation and remain positive. The majority of studies used FSAS as an assessment tool to evaluate a clinical need for psychologic support or psychoeducation. The most frequently reported predictors of FSAS shock anxiety include experience of shock, appropriate and inappropriate, and number of shocks experienced. Common correlates of higher FSAS scores include lower device‐related knowledge, lower perceived support from healthcare providers, greater posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and negative attitudes about device dependency. Younger age and female gender are also associated with increased shock anxiety. Conclusions Since 2006, FSAS has been widely represented as a valid and reliable assessment tool for quantifying device‐related anxiety in ICD recipients in diverse populations. Future directions for FSAS should explore its potential role in support of measurement‐based care.
Purpose: Wearable cardioverter defibrillators (WCDs) provide lifesaving defibrillation and are equipped with accelerometers, capable of providing information on patient wear time and physical activity (PA). The purpose of this study was to report on patient PA while wearing a WCD. Methods: This study derived data from the WCD vendor in patients prescribed WCD post–myocardial infarction (MI) with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% in 2016. Using the device accelerometer, the relationship between wear time and PA was examined in a sample of consistent wearers of the WCD. Demographic variables, including sex and age, were examined for impact on wear time and PA. Changes in PA over time were also examined. Results: A total of 1952 patients (71% male) with a median age of 63 yr were included. Descriptive analyses indicated that overall median wear time was 23.8 hr/d; PA was 5568 steps/d. Significant differences in PA over time were identified, with median steps increasing by 67% from the first week of wear to the last week of wear. Patient age and wear time significantly predicted PA; patient age also significantly predicted patient wear time. There were significant differences in median hours of wear time, as well as median steps, based on sex. Conclusions: PA in adults early after hospital discharge is modest and improves over the course of the 90-d WCD prescription in regular wearers. Improved health status may account for this change. The WCD accelerometer may have value in future clinical care and research by providing a window into daily patient PA levels via remote monitoring.
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