Background: The COVID-19 pandemic put considerable strain on individual mental health. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of insomnia symptoms among students and employees during this period. Methods: This paper is a cross-sectional analysis using convenience sampling. A web-based anonymous survey was developed and included questions about socio-demographic characteristics, contact with COVID-19, and the Athens Insomnia Scale. Results: 620 participants, 331 students, and 289 employees were included in the final sample. According to the current findings, 21.29% (n = 132) of participants met the criteria for insomnia, and 39.03% (n = 242) met the criteria for mild sleep disturbances. Conclusions: Although respondents reported an increased prevalence of sleep disorders, these changes were not directly related to the presence or severity of the infection but rather to a variety of socio-demographic and lifestyle-related variables. Students associated more frequently with the next-day consequences of insomnia (overall functioning and sleepiness during the day), while for employees, the most prevalent were awakenings during the night and early morning awakenings. Furthermore, sleep difficulties were more prevalent in women, single people, sedentary people, and those with psychiatric disorders.
Background: Recent research still focuses on the psychological impact on siblings and the problematic relationships in families with children with chronic illnesses. Our study evaluates the dynamics in sibling relationships in families with a child diagnosed with a chronic disease. Methods: We comparatively evaluated the degree of empathy, involvement, friendship, and rivalry in sibling relationships in two groups of families who have a child with a chronic pediatric disorder versus a chronic mental disorder. Results: The levels of involvement/friendship, empathy/care/concern, and education/learning were significantly higher in the pediatric group. Where there were siblings under the age of 10, rivalry scores tended to be higher in both groups. Conclusions: Coping strategies, emphatic interactions, and implications in common activities are difficult to identify in the relationship between siblings when one of them has a chronic mental disorder. All of these negative aspects entail poor quality sibling relationships and draw alarm signals regarding the need for monitoring and intervention familial programs.
Introduction Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are experiencing severe mental distress. Following social distancing and economic insecurity, significant increases in mental health concerns have developed. Objectives The aims of this study was to report the levels of depressive and anxiety within active population in Romania, and to identify possible risk and protective factors for mental health. Methods Data collection occurred between February-March 2021. The online survey included questions regarding socio-demographic characteristics and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). 620 responses were validated (331 students and 289 workers). Results Among active population, risk of anxiety symptoms is lower in those who already were infected with SARS-Cov2 (p=0.026, df=2, Phi=0.109), while positive screening for anxiety or depression in this study was statistically significant associated with younger age (p=0.026, df=4, Phi=0.134) and female gender (p=<0.001, df=2, Phi=0.166). Even though anxiety and depression scores are similar among students and employees, there are different aspects regarding symptomatology between these two groups. Students have experienced more frequently tendency to worry and sudden feelings of panic (p=0.004, df=3, Phi=0.146). Also, their ability to laugh and see the funny side of things is affected (p=0.019, df=3, Phi=0.127) and they feel less enthusiasm about future (p=0.001, df=3, Phi=0.159). Participants living with someone else scored lower on anxiety and depression subscales and those are not influenced by the person with whom they are cohabitating or residing (p=0.020, df=3, Phi=0.138). Conclusions Findings from the current study offer initial insights into the rates of anxiety and depression within active population in Romania, one year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Disclosure No significant relationships.
Introduction The COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic is associated with several stressful factors that can negatively affect peoples’ sleep quality and mental health. Objectives The aim of the current study was to prospectively identify decreased sleep quality and associated risk factors in general population during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a prospective, observational online study on a Romanian sample of 667 respondents aged >18 years. Sleep quality and quantity was evaluated with Athens Insomnia scale (AIS) and the main concerns associated with the pandemic context were evaluated through a multiple-choice question. Results The data collected identified important evidence regarding the prevalence and intensity of insomnia. The average score for AIS was 6.13 (cut-off point for was set at 8). However, it is worth noting that 179 respondents (26.8%) meet the criteria for insomnia. Of the 8 self-assessment items, daytime sleepiness was the criterion evaluated with the highest average score (1.01), all other items getting subunit values. A low quality of sleep was linearly related with fear of illness/death (p=0.053), fear of illness/death of close people (p=0.032), social isolation (p<0.001), economic impact (p=0.003), losing the job (p<0.001) and social stigma associated with COVID-19 infection (p=0.009). Conclusions More than a qurter of respondes scored above the threshold of 8 at the insomnia scale, while losing the job, social stigma associated with COVID-19 infection and social isolation are the main risk factors for a low quality and quantity of sleep. Disclosure No significant relationships.
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