Effect of Layperson-Delivered, Empathy-Focused Program of Telephone Calls on Loneliness, Depression, and Anxiety Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Kahlon, Maninder K; Aksan, Nazan; Aubrey, Rhonda; Clark, Nicole; Cowley-Morillo, Maria; Jacobs, Elizabeth A.; Mundhenk, Rhonda; Sebastian, Katherine R.; Tomlinson, Steven

doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.0113

Cited by 141 publications

(155 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(53 reference statements)

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“…While we did observe a reduction in frequency of physical meetings with family, friends and neighbors, this was largely met with an increase in phone and video communication with them. This is very important in the context of preventing the negative effects of loneliness and social isolation, as alternate forms of communication may buffer such effects [24,25].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 collateral damage: psychological distress and behavioral changes among older adults during the first outbreak in Stockholm, Sweden

Beridze

Triolo

Grande

et al. 2021

Preprint

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IntroductionDuring the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Swedish public health authorities provided recommendations for 70+ year old people. They were strongly encouraged to self-isolate but remain physically active in a safe manner. This study aimed to explore the indirect, negative effects of COVID-19 restrictions (collateral damage) by exploring to what extent adherence to such recommendations might have impacted the lives and health of older adults living in central Stockholm.MethodsAn ad-hoc phone questionnaire was administered by trained staff between May and June 2020 to a random sample of older adults 68+ years old (n=1231), who had attended the regular follow-up assessment of the longitudinal Swedish National study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K) during 2016-2019. We explored three dimensions of collateral damage, namely psychological distress (feelings of worry, stress and loneliness), reductions in social and physical activities, and reductions in medical and social care use. Logistic regression models were used to test the association between age, sex, education and living arrangement, and the risk of collateral damage.ResultsVast majority of participants adhered to the recommendations, with over three quarters practicing self-isolation (n=928). Half of the sample reported psychological distress, 55.3% reported reductions in social or physical activity, and 11.3% reported decreased medical or social care use. Over three quarters of participants were affected by at least one of the three collateral damage dimensions. Female sex was the strongest sociodemographic predictor of individual as well as co-occurring dimensions of collateral damage.ConclusionCOVID-19 and its restrictions during the first half of 2020 have had a negative effect on the health and lives of a majority of elderly living in central Stockholm. Women were at a particularly higher risk of these negative consequences. We emphasize the need for predefined, evidence-based interventions to address these negative consequences.STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDYThis study uses a large sample of older adults from a well-characterized population-based study (SNAC-K)Several dimensions of the indirect, negative effects (collateral damage) of the COVID-19 pandemic are explored in this studyAs Sweden’s response to COVID-19 differed from most countries, this study provides a unique opportunity of comparison with other settingsThe cross-sectional design of this study does not allow to establish temporality between the onset of the pandemic and studied outcomesThe results of this study may not be generalisable to the entire elderly population in Sweden as participants are from an urban, affluent area in Stockholm

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 collateral damage: psychological distress and behavioral changes among older adults during the first outbreak in Stockholm, Sweden

Beridze

Triolo

Grande

et al. 2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Creative ways to address symptoms of isolation have been studied and may be able to be extended and fostered post‐COVID. For example, a layperson‐delivered empathy‐oriented telephone call program was able to show reduced loneliness, depressed, and anxiety compared to the control group and improved the general mental health of participants within 4 weeks (Kahlon et al, 2021). Thoughts for the future include whether such innovative programs can play a protective role for those at risk of clinical anxiety or depression.…”

Section: Conclusion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicide prevention andCOVID‐19

Ivbijaro

Kolkiewicz

Goldberg

et al. 2021

Asia-Pacific Psychiatry

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Introduction Suicide prevention during Covid 19 has become a global priority because the current pandemic has led to societal difficulties threatening the fabric of our lifestyle with increased morbidity and mortality. Modelling studies published since the COVID 19 pandemic was declared in March 2020 estimate that suicide rates will increase by anywhere between 1% to 145% globally in response to the pandemic and action needs to be taken. Methods A narrative literature review on high quality evidence sources limited to human studies and publications written in English language only has been used to examine the relationship of COVID 19 and existing mental illness or history of mental illness, suicide prevention strategies and changes in overall suicide rates. Results A total of 39 papers are summarised and grouped using the headings aetiological factors, proposed interventions to increase access and national policies to provide a framework for suicide prevention during pandemics such as COVID 19. This review indicates that 1) investing in active labour market programmes will result in a decreased suicide rate during times of high unemployment 2) People in low paid and casual jobs require specific support because they are most financially vulnerable during a pandemic related crisis 3) Women require specific support during a pandemic because of the type of employment they have and because they often carry a greater proportion of the domestic burden and are at increased risk of domestic violence during lockdown and crisis 4) Mental health and substance misuse services need to be appropriately funded and prioritised during and post pandemic, due to the associated increase in substance misuse during a pandemic causing worsening mental health and increased risk of suicide 5) National Suicide Prevention Strategies should be developed by all countries and should anticipate response to a range of disasters, including a pandemic 6) Suicide prevention is everybody's business and National Suicide Prevention Strategies should adopt a whole‐systems approach including mental health services, primary care, social care, NGO's and other community stakeholders 7) Suicide is preventable 8) It is essential to prioritise suicide prevention strategies in the COVID and post‐COVID period to ensure that lives are saved. Discussion Increase in suicide is not inevitable and suicide prevention during pandemics and post COVID 19 pandemics requires a collaborative whole system approach. We require real time data to inform dynamic action planning.

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“…Mindfulness training, which can be delivered digitally, also shows promise in improving resilience during COVID-19 ( Yuan, 2021 ). Empathy-focused telephone calls delivered by lay counselors reduced loneliness, depression, and anxiety in housebound adults during COVID-19 ( Kahlon et al., 2021 ). Brief CBT, delivered online or as a phone application can improve sleep quality for people suffering from insomnia ( Cheng et al., 2020 ).…”

Section: Managing and Treating Pandemic-related Psychopathologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Pandemics and Clinical Psychology

Taylor

2022

Comprehensive Clinical Psychology

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Effect of Layperson-Delivered, Empathy-Focused Program of Telephone Calls on Loneliness, Depression, and Anxiety Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 141 publications

References 20 publications

COVID-19 collateral damage: psychological distress and behavioral changes among older adults during the first outbreak in Stockholm, Sweden

COVID-19 collateral damage: psychological distress and behavioral changes among older adults during the first outbreak in Stockholm, Sweden

Suicide prevention andCOVID‐19

Pandemics and Clinical Psychology

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