Mental health trajectories of individuals and families following the COVID-19 pandemic: Study protocol of a longitudinal investigation and prevention program

Abstract

Introduction Many adults, adolescents and children are suffering from persistent stress symptoms in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to characterize long-term trajectories of mental health and to reduce the transition to manifest mental disorders by means of a stepped care program for indicated prevention. Methods and analysis Using a prospective-longitudinal design, we will assess the mental strain of the pandemic using the Patient Health Questionnaire, Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire and Spence Child Anxiety Scale. Hair samples will be collected to assess cortisol as a biological stress marker of the previous months. Additionally, we will implement a stepped-care program with online- and face-to-face-interventions for adults, adolescents, and children. After that we will assess long-term trajectories of mental health at 6, 12, and 24 months follow-up. The primary outcome will be psychological distress (depression, anxiety and somatoform symptoms). Data will be analyzed with general linear model and machine learning. This study will contribute to the understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. The evaluation of the stepped-care program and longitudinal investigation will inform clinicians and mental health stakeholders on populations at risk, disease trajectories and the sufficiency of indicated prevention to ameliorate the mental strain of the pandemic. Ethics and dissemination The study is performed according to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Department of Psychology at the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin (no. 2020-35). Trial registration number DRKS00023220.

Almost 2 years into the COVID-19 pandemic: an update on parental stress, parent mental health, and the occurrence of child maltreatment

“…Our data suggest that parents at risk for alcohol abuse, parent’s recent experiences of violence, presence of a mental disorder, as well as job loss and reduced working hours due to the pandemic constitute a target group for preventive and interventive efforts. Several prevention approaches have been applied during the first year of the pandemic, e.g., applying a CBT-based approach [ 59 ], or a resilience-oriented approach [ 60 ]. While evaluation data are on the way in many trials, the first results confirm the effectiveness for a universal, resilience-oriented prevention program with positive effects on family level, on parenting and on child psychological well-being as well [ 60 ].…”

Who is seeking help for psychological distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic? Characterization of risk factors in 1269 participants accessing low-threshold psychological help

“…The overall study was planned as a longitudinal observational study following participants over the course of two years [ 16 ]. A stepped-care program including a first online intervention and, if necessary, a second face-to-face digital group program was offered.…”

Kecemasan Lansia dalam Penerapan Protokol Kesehatan di Masa Pandemi Covid-19

“…(Ferreira et al, 2018), dan untuk mengurangi stigmatisasi ketakutan dan kecemasan serta bagaimana meningkatkan kepatuhan terhadap instruksi kesehatan, maka perlu adanya program yang bisa menguatkan kesehatan mental sesuai faktor budaya (Cénat et al, 2021). Selain itu perlu juga adanya program perawatan bertahap untuk pencegahan tekanan psikologis (depresi, kecemasan dan gejala somatoform (Langhammer et al, 2021). Tujuan penelitian ini dalah untuk mengidentifikasi karakteristik lansia (jenis kelamin, tingkat pendidikan, dan status kesehatan, mengidentifikasi tingkat kecemasan lansia dalam penerapan protokol kesehatan pada masa pandemi COVID-19 dan mendeskripsikan tingkat kecemasan lansia dalam penerapan protokol kesehatan pada masa pandemi COVID-19 berdasarkan karakteristik lansia.…”