The magnitude of COVID-19 related stress, anxiety and depression associated with intense mass media coverage in Saudi Arabi

Zakout, Yosef Mohamed-Azzam; Alreshidi, Fayez Saud; Elsaid, Ruba Mustafa; Ahmed, Hussain Gadelkarim

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2020052

Cited by 25 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The results of a survey conducted in Germany indicated a positive correlation between COVID-19-related media exposure and the severity of nonspecific anxiety and depression [ 18 ]. Similar results were reported in a previous study conducted among the Saudi Arabian general population [ 19 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…A previous study conducted in Wuhan demonstrated that social media exposure was positively associated with anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 outbreak, after controlling for covariates [ 4 ]. These results were supported by those of studies conducted in Germany [ 18 ], Saudi Arabia [ 19 ], and China [ 20 ] indicating that the frequency and duration of media or information exposure may predispose individuals to mental distress. These findings highlight the need to address mental health problems as part of public health policy.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 71%

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Exposure to COVID-19-Related Information and its Association With Mental Health Problems in Thailand: Nationwide, Cross-sectional Survey Study

Mongkhon¹,

Ruengorn²,

Awiphan³

et al. 2021

J Med Internet Res

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Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on both the physical and mental health of individuals worldwide. Evidence regarding the association between mental health problems and information exposure among Thai citizens during the COVID-19 outbreak is limited. Objective This study aimed to explore the relationship between information exposure and mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. Methods Between April 21 and May 4, 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional, nationwide online survey of the general population in Thailand. We categorized the duration of exposure to COVID-19-related information as follows: <1 h/day (reference group), 1-2 h/day, and ≥3 h/day. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, the Perceived Stress Scale-10, and the Insomnia Severity Index for symptoms of depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and insomnia, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between information exposure and the risk of developing the aforementioned symptoms. An ancillary analysis using multivariable multinomial logistic regression models was also conducted to assess the possible dose-response relationship across the severity strata of mental health problems. Results Of the 4322 eligible participants, 4004 (92.6%) completed the online survey. Of them, 1481 (37.0%), 1644 (41.1%), and 879 (22.0%) participants were exposed to COVID-19-related information for less than 1 hour per day, 1 to 2 hours per day, or 3 or more hours per day, respectively. The major source of information related to the COVID-19 pandemic was social media (95.3%), followed by traditional media (68.7%) and family members (34.9%). Those exposed to information for 3 or more hours per day had a higher risk of developing symptoms of depression (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.35, 95% CI 1.03-1.76; P=.03), anxiety (adjusted OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.43-2.46; P<.001), and insomnia (adjusted OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.17-1.97; P=.001) than people exposed to information for less than 1 hour per day. Meanwhile, people exposed to information for 1 to 2 hours per day were only at risk of developing symptoms of anxiety (adjusted OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.08-1.69; P=.008). However, no association was found between information exposure and the risk of perceived stress. In the ancillary analysis, a dose-response relationship was observed between information exposure of 3 or more hours per day and the severity of mental health problems. Conclusions These findings suggest that social media is the main source of COVID-19-related information. Moreover, people who are exposed to information for 3 or more hours per day are more likely to develop psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Longitudinal studies investigating the long-term effects of COVID-19-related information exposure on mental health are warranted.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Exposure to COVID-19-Related Information and its Association With Mental Health Problems in Thailand: Nationwide, Cross-sectional Survey Study

Mongkhon¹,

Ruengorn²,

Awiphan³

et al. 2021

J Med Internet Res

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“…Considering stress and anxiety associated with COVID-19, patients should be advised to limit exposure from multimedia coverage. 149 - 151 Those patients with pre-existing mental conditions should continue treatment and report new or worsening signs and symptoms. 152 - 154…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Guidelines: Discharge Instructions for Covid-19 Patients

Baker

Greiner

2021

J Prim Care Community Health

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Introduction/Objectives: Clinicians treating COVID-19 patients face a major challenge in providing an effective relationship with patients who are discharged to return to home in order to optimize patient self-management after discharge. The purpose of these discharge instructions is to assist and provide guidance for physicians, nurses, and other health care personnel involved in discharging COVID-19 patients to home after encounters at hospitals, emergency departments, urgent care settings, and medical offices. Methods: A systematic literature-search of studies evaluating both symptoms and signs of COVID-19 was performed in order to establish specific optimal performance criteria in monitoring a patient’s status with regard to disease safety. These optimal performance criteria parameters were considered with regard to the severity of morbidity and mortality. Strategies used to develop the discharge instructions included review of a broad spectrum of literature to develop the discharge criteria. Results: These guidelines are presented for patient education and should achieve the essential goals including: enabling patients to understand their medical situation, preventing complications, supporting patients by providing instructions, helping patients make more effective use of available health services, and managing patient stress by giving patients comfort through the knowledge of specific recommendations including how to respond to situations. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic requires clinicians to efficiently teach their patients self-management strategies and to provide a safe educated response to the patient and the surrounding community environment. The primary goal of the patient education discharge-instructions (PEDI) is to provide self-management strategies for preventing complications and disease transmission.

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“…Accordingly, widespread media coverage about disasters may extend the boundary of disaster itself and disseminate passive emotions among the population, thereby increasing psychological distress ( 39 ). In fact, the mere exposure of distressing media content is sufficient to provoke negative emotions ( 5 , 6 , 40 , 41 ). During the COVID-19 outbreak, media coverage usually contained numerous stress-inducing contents, such as rumors, misrepresentation, and fear messages, especially media-based graphic images (e.g., diagnosed patients with ventilators), all of which would result in huge psychological stress on the public.…”

Section: Theoretical Background and Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Media Exposure to COVID-19 Predicted Acute Stress: A Moderated Mediation Model of Intolerance of Uncertainty and Perceived Social Support

Chen

Zhang

et al. 2021

Front. Psychiatry

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Background: Previous studies have found that disaster-related media exposure could predict acute stress responses. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between media exposure to COVID-19 and acute stress, and less is known about the mechanisms that translate media exposure to COVID-19 into acute stress. The current study explored the impact of media exposure to COVID-19 on acute stress, and examined the mediating role of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and the moderating role of perceived social support (PSS).Methods: A total of 1,483 Chinese participants (Mage = 27.93 years, SD = 8.45) completed anonymous online questionnaires regarding media exposure to COVID-19, IU, PSS, and acute stress during the COVID-19 outbreak in China.Results: Media exposure to COVID-19 was positively related to acute stress, and IU partially mediated this relationship. The direct effect of media exposure to COVID-19 on acute stress, and the relationship between IU and acute stress, were both moderated by PSS. The impacts of both media exposure to COVID-19 and IU on acute stress were stronger for individuals with low PSS.Limitations: This study collected data in a shorter timeframe, and no assessments occurred during the follow-up, which may prevent us from detecting the changes of the relationships between variables over time. Meanwhile, the self-report method limited the validity of the data due to subjective reporting bias.Conclusions: These findings contribute to a better understanding of how and when pandemic-related media exposure affects acute stress, and provide new perspectives for the prevention to reduce psychological problems following traumatic events.

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The magnitude of COVID-19 related stress, anxiety and depression associated with intense mass media coverage in Saudi Arabi

Cited by 25 publications

References 36 publications

Exposure to COVID-19-Related Information and its Association With Mental Health Problems in Thailand: Nationwide, Cross-sectional Survey Study

Exposure to COVID-19-Related Information and its Association With Mental Health Problems in Thailand: Nationwide, Cross-sectional Survey Study

Guidelines: Discharge Instructions for Covid-19 Patients

Media Exposure to COVID-19 Predicted Acute Stress: A Moderated Mediation Model of Intolerance of Uncertainty and Perceived Social Support

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