The global outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 2020 has been an international public health threat. Early strong social distancing efforts is needed to stop transmission of the virus. The purpose of the present study is to identify individual and environmental factors related to individuals' compliance with the recommended social distancing, as well as the moderating role of social media in influencing individuals' implementation of social distancing. A total of 2130 Chinese adults were surveyed in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Logistic regression analyses were performed to ascertain the predictors of social distancing. Overall, the majority of respondents (95.6%) reported compliance with social distancing. Women were more likely to practice social distancing compared to men (odds ratio [OR] = 3.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.93–5.02). Psychological distress, depressive symptoms, and social media were significant predictors of social distancing after controlling for other individual and environmental factors. Social media moderated the effects of psychological distress on social distancing (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.94–0.99). Findings from the study indicates that mental health status and social media are influential factors of social distancing, which have significant implications in enhancing the effectiveness of prevention strategies to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Objective: This study investigated the impact of driving cessation on social isolation in older adults. Method: Data were obtained from Rounds 1 through 6 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study. The study sample consisted of 6,916 Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 or above who were eligible drivers at baseline. Mixed-effects ordered logistic regression and piecewise regression were used to examine the impact of driving cessation on social isolation. Results: In multivariable mixed-effects ordered logistic regression, past-year nondrivers had a twofold increase in the odds of being in a higher social isolation category (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1, p < .001). Piecewise regression analysis showed that social isolation scores increased by 0.08 points ( p = .024) following an incident of driving cessation. Discussion: Driving cessation is associated with a higher risk of social isolation in older adults. Interventions to reduce social isolation among older adults may improve public health by targeting older adults who have recently stopped driving.

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak poses challenges to people across the world and puts marginalized populations in an even more precarious position. Migrant workers, with their marginal socio-legal status in host countries, are especially vulnerable during the pandemic. The wellbeing of migrant workers, specifically low-wage laborers, is greatly compromised. Objectives: This study aims to systematically review the existing literature on how epidemic infectious diseases affect the wellbeing of migrant workers and what are the interventions to improve their wellbeing. Method: Following the PRISMA guideline, studies on migrant workers' wellbeing or interventions to improve wellbeing during five major epidemic infectious diseases (i.e., COVID-19, SARS, Ebola, H1N1, MERS) were searched. Eleven electronic databases were used: Cochrane Library, WHO Global Research COVID-19 database, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL Plus, ERIC, MEDLINE, Social Index, PubMed, ProQuest, Social Care Online and EPPI-Mapper. In total, 17 articles that met the criteria were included. An assessment guide was developed to examine the quality of the studies. Results: Overall, the studies consistently show that major epidemic outbreaks negatively affect the physical, financial, psychological and social wellbeing of migrant workers. Migrant workers face a wide range of challenges such as risks of contagion, job insecurity, psychological distress, and discrimination. Factors associated with migrant workers' marginal socio-economic status were attributed to these challenges. Several interventions were discussed including increased access to vaccinations, health screening at the border, promotion of hygiene strategies, and financial assistance in medical fees. Discussion: The findings highlight the need for a greater public awareness and stronger response to migrant workers' wellbeing during an epidemic outbreak. Implications to practice and research were discussed. This review calls for more open-access data to advance research on migrant workers, and evidence-based interventions with a long-term effect.

The objective of this study was to examine factors associated with symptoms of depression and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Convenience sampling and snowball sampling were used to recruit a sample of adults in China (n = 2130) from 14 February 2020 to 3 March 2020 to complete an online survey. Linear regression was used to examine the predictors of symptoms of depression and psychological distress. Living in a non-urban area and the number of confirmed cases in their city of residence were positively associated with symptoms of depression. Female gender, not being married, practicing social distancing, the amount of time spent daily on social media searching for and reading information on COVID-19, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in their city of residence, and having confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 in personal networks were positively associated with psychological distress. Social distancing is a widely used public health approach for population-wide virus-containment of COVID-19. However, reductions in population-wide psychological well-being are inadvertent consequences of social distancing. There is an emerging need to negate factors that increase adverse mental health vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE | This study aimed to systematically review the existing literature on the relationship between self-efficacy and diabetes self-management in middle-aged and older adults in the United States and to determine whether the relationship applies across race and ethnicity. METHODS | Study selection followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method. Studies published between 1990 to 2018 that investigated self-efficacy and diabetes self-management in middle-aged and older adults were searched using eight search engines: PsycINFO, CINAHL, SocIndex, AgeLine, MedLine, Social Science Citation Index, Cochrane Library, and Academic Search Complete. Only quantitative studies were included.RESULTS | Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Ten studies found significant association between self-efficacy and at least one self-management behavior, which included exercise, healthy diet, adherence to medication, blood glucose testing, and foot care. Findings were mixed regarding the role of self-efficacy in exercise and medication adherence. Higher self-efficacy in Mexican Americans predicted better self-management behaviors, whereas no relationship between self-efficacy and diabetes self-management was found in a sample of Black and White participants. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed. In general, the included studies demonstrated moderate methodological quality. Their limitations included inconsistency in the self-efficacy measures, a lack of longitudinal studies, and confounding bias. CONCLUSION | Self-efficacy has significant effects on self-management in middle-aged and older adults, but the effects may differ by race. Efforts to improve self-efficacy and deliver culturally appropriate services could potentially promote self-management behaviors in middle-aged and older adults with diabetes.