Increase in Social Isolation during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Association with Mental Health: Findings from the JACSIS 2020 Study

Article Psychology, Clinical

The Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Development and Initial Validation

Daniel Kwasi Ahorsu et al.

Summary: The Fear of COVID-19 Scale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing fear of COVID-19 among the general population and can help alleviate individual fears of COVID-19.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION (2022)

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Article Psychology, Clinical

Validation and Psychometric Properties of the Japanese Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale Among Adolescents

Akihiro Masuyama et al.

Summary: This study aimed to adapt and validate a Japanese-version Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) for assessing the mental health of adolescent students from Japan. The results showed that the Japanese-version FCV-19S had good internal consistency and construct validity, with emotional and physiological response factors.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION (2022)

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Article Geriatrics & Gerontology

Social Isolation and Loneliness Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study of US Adults Older Than 50

Siyun Peng et al.

Summary: This study examined the changes in social isolation, physical isolation, digital isolation, and loneliness among U.S. adults older than 50 during the lockdown. The results showed an increase in physical and social isolation, but no change in digital isolation or loneliness.

JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES B-PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (2022)

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Article Geriatrics & Gerontology

Social Isolation and Loneliness Among San Francisco Bay Area Older Adults During theCOVID-19Shelter-in-PlaceOrders

Ashwin A. Kotwal et al.

Summary: The study found that many older adults are experiencing social isolation and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. While loneliness rates improved for some participants over time since shelter-in-place orders, there remains a subgroup who continue to experience persistent loneliness. Challenges faced by this subgroup include poor emotional coping and discomfort with new technologies.

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

TV News and COVID-19: Media Influence on Healthy Behavior in Public Spaces

Massimiliano Scopelliti et al.

Summary: The COVID-19 outbreak has dramatically changed our life, and media exposure, perception of social prevention initiatives, and moderate levels of fear can increase healthier behaviors in public spaces. Perceiving alarming information does not significantly predict healthy behaviors in public spaces, but media communication can still help promote preventive behaviors during emergencies.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH (2021)

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Article Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

How COVID-19 Triggers Our Herding Behavior? Risk Perception, State Anxiety, and Trust

Yi-Chih Lee et al.

Summary: During the outbreak of COVID-19, people's risk perception and anxiety increased their fear and influenced their purchasing behavior. Additionally, trust in media messages led individuals to participate actively in herding behaviors. The government's top priority should be to reduce public anxiety in order to mitigate panic buying.

FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Experiences, impacts and mental health functioning during a COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown: Data from a diverse New York City sample of college students

Teresa Lopez-Castro et al.

Summary: In March 2020, New York City experienced a COVID-19 outbreak, leading to a 78-day mass confinement for all residents except essential workers. A study on minority-serving college students in NYC revealed significant disruptions in daily life during the lockdown, with heightened symptoms of depression and anxiety. While most reported positive experiences, those who lost a loved one to COVID-19 experienced more psychological distress.

PLOS ONE (2021)

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Review Medicine, General & Internal

Potential impact of physical distancing on physical and mental health: a rapid narrative umbrella review of meta-analyses on the link between social connection and health

Nexhmedin Morina et al.

Summary: The study summarized the potential negative impact of social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health. Results demonstrated that lack of social connection is associated with a range of health issues, including chronic symptoms, depression, social anxiety, and more.

BMJ OPEN (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Psychological Health Status of Psychiatric Patients Living in Treatment Communities before and during the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Brief Report

Pierluigi Cordellieri et al.

Summary: This study investigated the impact of therapeutic communities on managing symptoms of patients with psychosis during lockdown, finding differences in patient behavior during the pandemic. However, social support and continuity of care offered by psychiatric communities were effective in safeguarding patients against the psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Social Isolation and Loneliness during COVID-19 Lockdown: Associations with Depressive Symptoms in the German Old-Age Population

Felix Muller et al.

Summary: The study found that loneliness and isolation are associated with depressive symptoms, with subjective emotional evaluation during lockdown being more relevant than objective state. Additionally, individuals with normal or high resilience exhibited lower depressive symptoms, suggesting enhancing coping skills as a support strategy during lockdowns.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH (2021)

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Article Gerontology

Social Isolation and Psychological Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-National Analysis

Harris Hyun-soo Kim et al.

Summary: The study shows that social isolation significantly predicts poor mental health in older adults, with variations across countries. National context plays a moderating role in the impact of COVID-19 on the mental well-being of older adults.

GERONTOLOGIST (2021)

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Article Geriatrics & Gerontology