Safe but Lonely? Loneliness, Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms and COVID-19

Okruszek, Łukasz; Aniszewska-Stańczuk, Aleksandra; Piejka, Aleksandra; Wiśniewska, Marcelina; Żurek, Karolina

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.579181

Cited by 163 publications

(138 citation statements)

References 62 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Specifically, this was more evident within the younger population. Moreover, Okruszek et al ( 2020 ) and Killgore et al ( 2020 ) found the social isolation measures implemented during the pandemic predicted increased loneliness, depressive and anxiety symptoms. Our results show Serene can reduce feelings of isolation and depressive symptoms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Self-Compassion and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Mobile Intervention (Serene) for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: Promoting Adaptive Emotional Regulation and Wisdom

Al-Refae

Munroe

et al. 2021

Front. Psychol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: Many individuals and families are currently experiencing a high level of COVID-19-related stress and are struggling to find helpful coping mechanisms. Mindfulness-based interventions are becoming an increasingly popular treatment for individuals experiencing depression and chronic levels of stress. The app (Serene) draws from scholarly evidence on the efficacy of mindfulness meditations and builds on the pre-existing apps by incorporating techniques that are used in some therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to a 4-week mindfulness and self-compassion-based cognitive smartphone intervention (Serene) or a wait-list control group. They were instructed to engage in self-compassion and mindfulness practices and a cognitive restructuring task. They also completed measures that evaluated their levels of depression, stress, anxiety, self-compassion, wisdom, psychological well-being, and subjective well-being. The intervention group was also instructed to track their weekly engagement with the app. Standardized effect sizes for between-group differences were calculated using Cohen's d for complete case analyses.Results: Complete case analyses from baseline to the end of this randomized controlled trial demonstrated significant moderate between-group differences for depressive symptoms (d = −0.43) and decisiveness (d = 0.34). Moderate between-group differences were also found for self-compassion (d = 0.6) such that significant improvements in self-kindness, common humanity, mindfulness and decreases in self-judgement, isolation, and overidentification were observed. A small between-group difference was found for emotional regulation (d = 0.28). Moreover, a significant moderate within-group decrease in stress (d = −0.52) and anxiety symptoms (d = −0.47) was also observed in the intervention group.Conclusions: Serene is an effective intervention that promotes increased levels of self-compassion and emotional regulation. Engaging with Serene may help reduce depressive symptoms through mindfulness, self-compassion, and cognitive restructuring which help reduce overidentification with one's negative emotions. As individuals rebalance their thinking through cognitive restructuring, they can identify the varying stressors in their life, develop action plans and engage in adaptive coping strategies to address them. Serene may promote greater self-understanding which may provide one with a more balanced perspective on their current upsetting situations to positively transform their challenges during the pandemic.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Self-Compassion and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Mobile Intervention (Serene) for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: Promoting Adaptive Emotional Regulation and Wisdom

Al-Refae

Munroe

et al. 2021

Front. Psychol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…With respect to these specific sources of stress, a study by Okruszek et al (2020) with Polish young adults found that the COVID-19 risk perception (e.g., contact risk, severe symptoms risk, and financial problem risk) and the feeling of loneliness led to affective responses to the situation during the first 2 weeks of the crisis. However, it is also interesting to note that some individual stressors, such as work overload, strict schedules, Fears of Missing Out on social life (FoMO) or competition among students might in fact have been mitigated during the crisis situation for some students ( Elmer et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Study on the Psychological Wound of COVID-19 in University Students

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

An increasing number of studies have addressed the psychological impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the general population. Nevertheless, far less is known about the impact on specific populations such as university students, whose psychological vulnerability has been shown in previous research. This study sought to examine different indicators of mental health in university students during the Spanish lockdown; we also analyzed the main sources of stress perceived by students in relation to the COVID-19 crisis, and the coping strategies adopted when faced with the situation. Data was collected from 932 students (704 women) through a web-based platform. Measures of anxiety (i.e., GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), irritability, and self-perceived change in mental health were administered, as well as ad hoc measures of stressors and coping strategies. Results indicated that students experienced considerable psychological problems during the confinement, with higher rates of emotional difficulties in women and undergraduate students than in men and postgraduates, respectively. Psychological distress was mainly related to several specific domains of stressors, as perceived by the participants: academic future, task overload, worsening of interpersonal conflicts, and restrictions in pleasant social contact; and far less related to the spread of the disease and its consequences for physical health. As regards coping strategies, both reframing skills and daily routines were shown to be the most effective. A path-analysis model integrating stressors, coping, and mental health revealed that coping strategies partially mediated the effect of stressors on psychological health. In general, results suggest that students’ psychological health was substantially affected by the COVID-19 situation and that the academic and relational changes were the most notable sources of stress. This study reinforces the need to monitor and promote mental health in university students to boost resilience in times of crisis. Our results on effective coping strategies may inform preventive programs aimed at helping students to deal with challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.

show abstract

“…Loneliness has been defined as the embodiment of social isolation and can show an individual's negative feelings about the frequency and closeness of their social contacts (Steptoe et al, 2013 ). In addition, loneliness has been associated with increased levels of depressive symptoms (Cacioppo et al, 2006 ; Matthews et al, 2016 ; Palgi et al, 2020 ; Rosenberg et al, 2020 ), increased symptoms of anxiety (Ernst and Cacioppo, 1999 ; Cacioppo et al, 2006 ; Okruszek et al, 2020 ; Palgi et al, 2020 ), and an altered mood state (Loucks, 1980 ; Besser et al, 2020 ). Prolonged time at home, loneliness (Page and Hammermeister, 1995 ; Hawkley et al, 2009 ; Richard et al, 2017 ; Schrempft et al, 2019 ; Creese et al, 2020 ), and mental health disturbances (Mayou et al, 2000 ; Brummett et al, 2003 ; Stewart et al, 2003 ; Van Gool et al, 2003 ; Allan et al, 2007 ; Da Silva et al, 2012 ; Legey et al, 2017 ; Stubbs et al, 2017 ; Creese et al, 2020 ; López-Bueno et al, 2020 ; Stanton et al, 2020 ) can increase behaviors that promote sedentary behavior and decrease overall physical activity (Biddle, 2016 ; Creese et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Short-Term Analysis (8 Weeks) of Social Distancing and Isolation on Mental Health and Physical Activity Behavior During COVID-19

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cities and states adopted social distancing, social isolation, or quarantine measurements to slow the transmission of the disease. Negative mental health outcomes including depression and anxiety have been associated with social distancing or social isolation. The purpose of the present study was to examine changes in psychological health and physical activity over an 8 week period under social distancing policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Ninety (73.3% female; age 32.04 ± 11.33) individuals participated in this study. Qualifying participants answered questions using an online survey regarding their loneliness, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, mood state, and physical activity over four time points each lasting two weeks.Results: Symptoms of depression and state anxiety were increased in the population when compared to nationwide statistics from before the COVID-19 pandemic. Time point 2, ~1 month into social isolation, showed the most significant effects on mental health. During this time point, 100% of the participants showed symptoms of depression. There were no significant changes in physical activity over the 8 weeks. Loneliness, depressive symptoms, fatigue, and mood state were negatively associated with participation in physical activity. Vigor and state anxiety were associated with participation in physical activity.Conclusion: Social isolation and social distancing practices have had a negative effect on depression, anxiety, and mood over time. It appeared that depressive symptoms and total mood disturbance was elevated during time point two. Depressive symptoms were much higher than average compared to previous epidemiological data. Physical activity amount did not change over time but was associated with poor mental health.

show abstract

Safe but Lonely? Loneliness, Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms and COVID-19

Cited by 163 publications

References 62 publications

A Self-Compassion and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Mobile Intervention (Serene) for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: Promoting Adaptive Emotional Regulation and Wisdom

A Self-Compassion and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Mobile Intervention (Serene) for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: Promoting Adaptive Emotional Regulation and Wisdom

A Study on the Psychological Wound of COVID-19 in University Students

Short-Term Analysis (8 Weeks) of Social Distancing and Isolation on Mental Health and Physical Activity Behavior During COVID-19

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About