Fear of COVID-19 and depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD among Syrian refugee parents in Canada

Sharif-Esfahani, Parastoo; Hoteit, Reem; Morr, Christo El; Tamim, Hani

doi:10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100081

Cited by 18 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 65 publications

(50 reference statements)

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“…Studies show that low social support and a lack of knowledge about the steps that needs to be taken to lower the prevalence of stress, depression, and anxiety are related ( 28 , 37 ). For example, in the study by Sharif-Esfahani et al ( 27 ) there was a positive association between a person’s sense of belonging to Canada and stress and anxiety measures. The lower once sense of belonging to Canada, the higher levels of stress and anxiety – a situation likely to have been exacerbated by isolation and a lack of social support during the pandemic.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to three studies among refugees and asylum seekers with the aim of assessing the relationship between COVID-19 related fear and stressors and mental health, it was found that depression, anxiety and stress in relation to the fear of being infected, and associated consequences, were moderate to high ( 27 , 28 , 37 ). In one of the studies, among 274 Syrian refuges in Canada ( 27 ), severe anxiety (26.8%) depression (12.2%) and stress (9,7%) were associated with the fear of contracting COVID-19. In a study among 656 refugees and asylum seekers living in Australia Liddell et al ( 28 ) found that worries about contracting or spreading the potentially deadly COVID-19 virus were associated with health anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Health and well-being of refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, and internally displaced persons under COVID-19: a scoping review

Arab

Somerville

Abuadas

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

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ObjectivesThe objective of this scoping review was to identify what is known about the impact of COVID-19 on the physical and mental well-being of refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, and internally displaced persons. The aim was also to identify barriers influencing access to treatment or prevention.MethodsThe search was conducted using PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. A mixed methods appraisal tool was used to assess methodological rigor. The study findings were synthesized using a thematic analysis approach.Results and DiscussionThis review comprised 24 studies and were conducted utilizing a mixed method approach incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Two major themes were identified related to the impact of COVID-19 on the health and wellbeing of refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, and internally displaced persons and the key barriers influencing access to treatment or prevention of COVID-19. They often have barriers to accessing healthcare due to their legal status, language barriers, and limited resources. The pandemic has further strained already limited health resources, making it even more challenging for these populations to receive healthcare. This review reveals that refugees and asylum seekers in receiving facilities face a higher risk of COVID-19 infection than the general population due to their less favorable living conditions. The various health impacts stem from a lack of access to accurate information about the pandemic, misinformation, and the exacerbation of pre-existing mental health issues caused by heightened stress, anxiety, and uncertainty, fear of deportation among undocumented migrants, and overcrowding camps and detention facilities that increase exposure risk. Social distancing measures are difficult to implement in these settings, and inadequate sanitation, hygiene, and a lack of personal protective equipment further compound the problem. Moreover, the pandemic has had significant economic consequences for these populations. Many of them rely on informal or precarious employment, which has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Job losses and reduced working hours, and limited access to social protection can lead to increased poverty, and food insecurity. Children faced specific challenges, such as disruptions to education, additionally, interruptions in support services for pregnant women. Some pregnant women have avoided seeking maternity care due to fears of contracting COVID-19, resulting in increased home births and delays in accessing healthcare services. Factors that play a role in vaccination reluctance include uncertainty of undocumented migrants’ inclusion in vaccination programs, furthermore, a growing vaccine hesitancy in the population; skepticism about the safety of vaccines, inadequate knowledge/education, a variety of access barriers such as language barriers, and logistical challenges including remote locations, and inaccurate information.ConclusionThis review highlights that the physical health of refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, and internally displaced persons has been significantly impacted by various barriers to healthcare access during the pandemic. These barriers include legal and administrative challenges, such as a lack of documentation. Additionally, the shift to digital tools has introduced new obstacles, not only due to language barriers or limited technical knowledge but also because of structural barriers, such as the requirement of a bank ID that is often inaccessible to these groups. Other factors contributing to limited healthcare access include financial constraints, language barriers, and discrimination. Additionally, limited access to accurate information about health services, prevention measures, and available resources may hinder them from seeking care or following public health guidelines. Misinformation and lack of trust in healthcare systems can also contribute to a reluctance to access care or vaccination programs. There is concerning evidence regarding vaccine hesitancy that needs to be addressed to reduce any future pandemic outbreak, in addition there is a need to explore the factors that play a role in vaccination reluctance among children in these populations.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Health and well-being of refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, and internally displaced persons under COVID-19: a scoping review

Arab

Somerville

Abuadas

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Reduced social and physical contact has also been associated with feelings of hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, depression, PTSD, and substance abuse [16,17]. Furthermore, several studies have documented the association between COVID-19 fear and various indices of psychological distress, particularly depression, loneliness, anxiety, and PTSD [18][19][20].…”

Section: Fear Of Covid-19 Among Schoolteachersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Generalized Resistance Resources in the Time of COVID-19: The Role of Sense of Coherence and Resilience in the Relationship between COVID-19 Fear and Loneliness among Schoolteachers

Padmanabhanunni¹,

Isaacs²,

Pretorius³

et al. 2022

OBM Neurobiol

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Fear has been the most common emotional response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and excessive fear is associated with various indices of psychological distress, particularly loneliness. Although most people have experienced pandemic-related fear and distress, certain groups who are on the front of service provision have experienced the pandemic in distinct ways, owing to its impact on the nature of their work. Schoolteachers represent one such group; therefore, it is imperative to identify resources that can safeguard against negative mental-health outcomes in schoolteachers. The current study investigated the potential protective role of sense of coherence (SOC) and resilience in the relationship between COVID-19 fear and loneliness. The participants were South African schoolteachers (N = 355); the participants completed the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the University of California Loneliness Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10, and the Sense of Coherence Scale-13. The results indicated that SOC and resilience had significant direct effects on loneliness, thereby suggesting their health-sustaining role. SOC and resilience also fully mediated the relationship between COVID-19 fear and loneliness. Therefore, although the provision of material resources is important, it is equally necessary to enhance people’s ability to comprehend, give meaning to, and manage the challenges associated with the pandemic. A salutogenic approach to mental health promotion in the workplace may be beneficial for enhancing SOC and resilience among schoolteachers.

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“…Hung et al reported the overall prevalence of anxiety and depression in the community as 35.1% and 20.1%, which was significantly higher in younger people [9]. In addition, a study on psychological distress in the general population of Canada found that people aged 18-30 or over 60 had the highest scores on the Covid-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index [10]. Several smaller-scale studies (n < 400) have also demonstrated worsening psychological symptoms in groups of young people in the USA, Italy, India, Switzerland, and China [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD symptoms during the first and second COVID-19 waves: a comparison of elderly, middle-aged, and young people in Iran

et al. 2023

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Background A widespread outbreak of epidemics like Covid-19 is a lethal threat to physical and mental health. Recent studies reported a higher prevalence of mental problems in younger individuals, contrary to the general assumption expected in older people. Therefore, it is necessary to compare anxiety, stress, depression and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) symptoms in different age groups during the Covid-19 crisis. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was performed (from Dec. 2020 to Feb. 2021) on three age groups of elderly, middle-aged and young people. Data were collected by DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale) and IES-R (Impact of Event Revised Scale) and analyzed using ANOVA, χ2 test and logistic regression analysis. Results Overall, 601 participants completed the questionnaires, including 23.3% of the elderly (≥ 60 years), 29.5% of the young (18–29 years) and 47.3% of the middle-aged (30–59 years) with 71.4% of women. The logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk of PTSD in young people was higher than in the elderly (β = 2.242, CI: 1.03–4.87, P = 0.041), while the risk of depression, anxiety and stress did not differ significantly among the three age groups. Female gender, occupation, lower economic status, solitary life, and chronic disease were risk factors for psychological symptoms during the Covid-19 pandemic. Conclusion Findings on the higher odds ratio of PTSD symptoms in younger individuals have interestingly potential implications to meet the needs of mental health services during Covid-19.

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Fear of COVID-19 and depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD among Syrian refugee parents in Canada

Cited by 18 publications

References 65 publications

Health and well-being of refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, and internally displaced persons under COVID-19: a scoping review

Health and well-being of refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, and internally displaced persons under COVID-19: a scoping review

Generalized Resistance Resources in the Time of COVID-19: The Role of Sense of Coherence and Resilience in the Relationship between COVID-19 Fear and Loneliness among Schoolteachers

Depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD symptoms during the first and second COVID-19 waves: a comparison of elderly, middle-aged, and young people in Iran

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