COVID-19 is a novel infectious disease and global health crisis with major psychological implications. Of particular focus are the effects it will have on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as being under-resourced poses many challenges. Vietnam, a country with an estimated population of 97.33 million people, which until 30 July, 2020, had 459 confirmed COVID-19 cases with no fatalities but as of November 4th had 35 deaths, can be viewed as a model LMIC for other countries struggling with COVID-19. Employing key tactics such as transparency and effective communication, Vietnam was able to foster strong cooperation between government and citizens, contributing to its success during COVID-19. Moreover, Vietnamese resilience, attributable, in part, to “tam giao,” a coexistence of religious and philosophical Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism through cultural additivity, provides a unique mindset that other countries can learn from to adapt and even build psychological resilience against COVID-19 pandemic's psychological outcomes. We suggest countries prioritize transparency and communication to mitigate stigmatization and psychological distress that can result from quarantine and other interventions while promoting resources that provide accurate scientific information and psychological aid to citizens. We believe that Tam giao could be repurposed to relieve inevitable contradictions between values and lifestyles in the context of this devastating global health crisis.
Background: Little research has examined within/between group predictors and mediators of race/ethnic differences or disparities in mental and sleep health outcomes arising from the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 experiences on trauma-related symptoms and sleep quality among a multiracial/ethnic sample in New York. Method: This is a cross-sectional study conducted online among multiethnic adults (n=541) who experienced the pandemic in New York from September to November 2020. Comparisons of characteristics and mean scores by race/ethnicity status were conducted using one-way ANOVA and independent samples t-tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables. Multilinear regression was used for associations between social determinants of health and/or SES, trauma-related symptoms, coping, and sleep. Results: Compared to Whites [Mean (SD)= (24.1(7.6)] and other group [Mean (SD)=24.9(8.2), Blacks [Mean (SD)=(26.3(6.4)] and Hispanics [Mean(SD)=(27.2(8.2)] reported higher level of peritraumatic distress [ df= 3; F=4273; p=0.005). The prevalence of clinically significant PTSD symptoms was 21.4%(n=113): [Whites=31(16.3%); Blacks=28(25.7%); Hispanics=24(25%); and other groups=30(22.4%); x2 =4.93; p=0.177]. This rate doubled [48.3%(257)] when it comes to the overall clinically significant depression level. Compared to all subcategories, [Blacks=52(47.7%); Hispanics =62(64.6%); other group=66(49.3%)], depression symptoms were lower among Whites [77(39.9%; x2 =15.71; p=0.001]. We found a prevalence of insufficient sleep <6 hours of 41%(198): [Whites=69(39.4%); Blacks=43(41.7%); Hispanics=46(52.3%); other groups=40(34.2%); x2=12.21; p=0.057]. Several unique demographic predictors of PTSD emerged for distinct racial/ethnic groups. Among Blacks, sex [β = −0.22; p < .01] and employment [β = −0.159; p < .05] emerged as significant predictors for PTSD, but for no other racial/ethnic group. Interestingly, among Hispanics [β = −0.144; p = .064] and Blacks [β = −0.174; p = .0.076], coping strategies did not mitigate PTSD or depressive symptoms. Conclusion: As New York and the rest of the world are trying to bounce back from the COVID-19 consequences, mental health outcomes are devastating, particularly among historically marginalized communities. This study provides insight into the emergency for policymakers to invest in racial justice programs and provide free access to culturally responsive mental health care for the most vulnerable groups.
Introduction Little has been done to examine within/between group predictors and mediators of race/ethnic differences in sleep health outcomes, due to COVID-19 exposure. We evaluated the effect of COVID-19 exposure on sleep quality in a multiracial/ethnic sample of New York residents. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among adults exposed to COVID-19 across New York State from September to November of 2020. Comparisons of participant characteristics e.g., mean scores by race/ethnicity status were made using one-way ANOVA for continuous variables, and chi-square tests for categorical variables. Associations between social determinants of health (employment, location), Trauma Coping Self-Efficacy (CES-T), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-PSQI) were examined using multilinear regression analysis stratified by race/ethnicity. Results Of the 541 participants, 373 (68.9%) were female; mean age was 40.9 years (SD=15), 198 (36.6%) identified as Whites, 111 (20.5%) as Black, 97 (17.9%) as Hispanics, and 135(25%) identified as either Asians, Native-Americans, Pacific-Islanders. Sex was the strongest predictor [β = 1.335; p < .05] of sleep quality, but only among Whites. Trauma Coping Self-Efficacy was negatively associated with sleep quality among Asian, Native-American, or Pacific-Islander participants [β = -.114; p < .05 ]; Black [β = -.099; p < .05] and White participants [β = -0.79; p < .05] but not among Latinos/as [β = -.058; p = 0.71]. Conclusion Coping Self-Efficacy moderated the effect of COVID-19 on sleep quality among some, but not all, racial/ethnic groups. While CSE-T scores during the first wave of COVID-19 acted as a protective factor for sleep quality among Asians, Native-Americans, and Pacific-Islanders, White and Black participants, this was not the case for Latinos/as/Hispanics residing in New York. Clinical interventions that are tailored for racial/ethnic, community and cultural needs may help to mitigate sleep problems associated with COVID-19 exposure. Support (If Any) T32HL129953; 7R01HL142066-04; 1R01HL152453-01
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