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The Impacts of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Well-Being
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The Impacts of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Well-Being

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral and Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2024 | Viewed by 11207

Special Issue Editors

Dr. David Dias Dias Neto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. School of Psychology, ISPA—Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisboa, Portugal
2. APPsyCI—Applied Psychology Research Center Capabilities & Inclusion, ISPA—Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: mental health; clinical psychology; psychotherapy; change-processes; assimilation; illness perceptions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ana Nunes da Silva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, University of Lisbon, 1649-013 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: mental health; emotional regulation; alcohol; addiction; psychotherapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong impact worldwide. The number of infected individuals on all continents is immense, and over six million people have died so far. Phenomena such as long COVID and other sequelae affect individuals long after having COVID. Additionally, indirect effects such as grieving by relatives and adaptation to containment or prevention measures by the public remain relevant. The direct and indirect consequences of COVID-19 are multidimensional, but the impacts on mental health and well-being are essential.

Understanding these impacts is vital in developing specific public health policies and interventions for preventing mental disorders or promoting well-being. These can be useful in addressing the current evolution of COVID-19 at an endemic stage, and could inform future health-related crises. Furthermore, many studies have been conducted since the advent of COVID-19 and its growth into a pandemic. This diversity allows, for the first time, the understanding of COVID-19’s psychological impacts as the disease unfolds longitudinally and epidemiologically.

This Special Issue contributes to this field, focusing on the impacts on mental health and well-being. We invite papers that consider broad or specific psychopathological reactions (e.g., general symptoms or particular disorders) and effects measured by positive outcomes (i.e., well-being, positive mental health, post-traumatic growth). We accept manuscripts from different disciplines, including psychology, epidemiology, and psychiatry. Papers may refer to experimental, correlational, epidemiological or intervention studies. Case reports, reviews, or methodological articles may be considered.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Behavioral Sciences.

Dr. David Dias Dias Neto
Dr. Ana Nunes da Silva
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • mental health
  • well-being
  • adaptation
  • post-traumatic stress
  • anxiety
  • depression

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1644 KiB  
Article
Unraveling Depressive Symptomatology and Risk Factors in a Changing World
by Rute Dinis Sousa, Ana Rita Henriques, José Caldas de Almeida, Helena Canhão and Ana Maria Rodrigues
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(16), 6575; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20166575 - 13 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1293
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to examine the prevalence and factors associated with symptoms of depression during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A representative sample of Portuguese adults was included in this populational survey, conducted between 25 March and 31 July [...] Read more.
Background: This study aimed to examine the prevalence and factors associated with symptoms of depression during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A representative sample of Portuguese adults was included in this populational survey, conducted between 25 March and 31 July 2021, with participants completing a structured questionnaire via phone interview. The symptoms of depression were measured using the Portuguese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle factors and depression levels (normal, mild, or moderate/severe). Results: The estimated prevalence of depression symptoms among participants was 24%. Participants who were women, were in older age groups, had multimorbidity, lived in isolated Portuguese regions such as islands and Alentejo, and were retired or unemployed more frequently reported depression symptoms. Economic hardship was also found to be associated with an increased frequency of mild or moderate-to-severe depression. In contrast, higher levels of education, regular alcohol intake, and regular exercise were associated with a lower frequency of depression symptoms. Conclusions: These findings highlight that during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, a high proportion of Portuguese adults reported depression symptoms, particularly the COVID-19-vulnerable strata such seniors, patients with multimorbidity, and people in economic hardship. On the other hand, citizens who performed regular physical exercise reported lower depressive symptomology. Our work contributes to improving the planning of mental health promotion after the COVID-19 pandemic and future emergencies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impacts of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Well-Being)
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13 pages, 398 KiB  
Article
Association of Emotional Self-Regulation with Psychological Distress and Positive Functioning Dimensions in Brazilian University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Maurício Rech, Gabriela Bertoletti Diaz, Bruno Luis Schaab, Carolina Garcia Soares Leães Rech, Prisla Ücker Calvetti and Caroline Tozzi Reppold
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(14), 6428; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20146428 - 22 Jul 2023
Viewed by 2064
Abstract
Emotional self-regulation is a relevant factor for human development capable of minimizing emotional difficulties in the face of adverse events, as was particularly useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed to evaluate emotional self-regulation in Brazilian health science university students and [...] Read more.
Emotional self-regulation is a relevant factor for human development capable of minimizing emotional difficulties in the face of adverse events, as was particularly useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed to evaluate emotional self-regulation in Brazilian health science university students and its relationship with positive psychology constructs (subjective well-being, hope, optimism, spirituality, self-compassion, and self-efficacy) and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress). This was a prospective, cross-sectional, observational, analytic study of 1062 Brazilian undergraduate students with data collected using self-administered online questionnaires. Students in the first years of their undergraduate degree programs had significantly higher dysregulation scores than those in the final years. Multiple linear regression yielded a model that explained 71.8% of the variation in emotion dysregulation. The correlations of emotion dysregulation were significant and strong, scoring negatively with self-compassion, optimism, and subjective well-being and positively with psychological distress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impacts of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Well-Being)
13 pages, 404 KiB  
Article
Understanding Differential Stress and Mental Health Reactions to COVID-19-Related Events
by Rita Sebastião, David Dias Neto and Vasco Costa
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(10), 5819; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105819 - 13 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1600
Abstract
The effects of the pandemic on mental health can be studied through different variables, such as the number of COVID-19 stressors, the stressor types, and the stress responses. Understanding the sources of mental strain is crucial for developing effective interventions. The present study [...] Read more.
The effects of the pandemic on mental health can be studied through different variables, such as the number of COVID-19 stressors, the stressor types, and the stress responses. Understanding the sources of mental strain is crucial for developing effective interventions. The present study analyzed the relationship between these COVID-19-related variables and positive and negative mental health. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 666 individuals from the Portuguese general population, mostly females (65.5%) between 16–93 years old. They completed self-report measures regarding the number of COVID-19 stressors, the stressor types, the stress responses (IES-R), and positive (MHC-SF) and negative mental health (BSI-18). The results demonstrated that a higher number of COVID-19-experienced stressors and more stress responses were related to worse mental health. Regarding stressor types, experiences not related to the COVID-19 infection (e.g., tension at home) presented the largest effects on mental health. The strongest predictor was the stress responses for negative (β = 0.50) and positive mental health (β = −0.17). The predictors explained more about negative mental health than positive. These findings support the idea that individual appraisals play a crucial role in mental health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impacts of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Well-Being)
13 pages, 393 KiB  
Article
COVID-19, Wellness and Life Satisfaction in Adolescence: Individual and Contextual Issues
by Margarida Gaspar de Matos, Marina Carvalho, Cátia Branquinho, Catarina Noronha, Bárbara Moraes, Tania Gaspar, Fábio Botelho Guedes, Ana Cerqueira, Osvaldo Santos and Nuno Neto Rodrigues
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(8), 5600; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085600 - 20 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1709
Abstract
During and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, several works reflected on young people’s physical and psychological health. The Dual Factor Model, which we refer to as the quadripartite model, is useful for understanding children’s and adolescents’ psychological health and differentiating them [...] Read more.
During and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, several works reflected on young people’s physical and psychological health. The Dual Factor Model, which we refer to as the quadripartite model, is useful for understanding children’s and adolescents’ psychological health and differentiating them regarding their attitude toward the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this investigation, students from the fifth to twelfth year of schooling enrolled in the DGEEC study “Psychological Health and Wellbeing in Portuguese schools” were considered. Four groups were created based on life satisfaction (low or high) and psychological distress (with or without symptoms). The study included 4444 students (M = 13.39 years ± 2.41), of whom 47.8% were male. Of the participants, 27.2% were in the second cycle of primary education, and 72.8% were in lower and upper secondary education. Differences in gender and education level (as a proxy for age) were observed. Additionally, when considering students’ perceptions of changes in their lives following the COVID-19 pandemic (stayed the same, became worse, became better), these three groups were compared concerning personal and contextual variables, revealing significant differences at both the individual and contextual levels. Finally, the study discusses the influence of education and health professionals and the need for friendly public policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impacts of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Well-Being)
13 pages, 320 KiB  
Article
Supporting Students with Disabilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Perspective of Disability Resource Professionals
by Katherine C. Aquino and Sally Scott
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4297; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054297 - 28 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1443
Abstract
Utilizing national survey data, this paper details the academic and access challenges created by the pandemic for students with disabilities, as perceived by disability resource professionals. Data included in this paper capture disability support service challenges at two unique timepoints during the COVID-19 [...] Read more.
Utilizing national survey data, this paper details the academic and access challenges created by the pandemic for students with disabilities, as perceived by disability resource professionals. Data included in this paper capture disability support service challenges at two unique timepoints during the COVID-19 pandemic—May 2020 [n = 535] and January 2021 [n = 631]. Disability resource professionals reported there was difficulty in the initial months of the pandemic for students to provide documentation of a disability to receive accommodations, use assistive technology in the new remote academic setting, and receive testing accommodations within the remote environment. While access and resources improved for students with disabilities over time, a portion of the surveyed disability resource professionals noted no observed improvement in students’ with disabilities communication with instructors as well as a worsening of conditions for students with disabilities throughout the pandemic related to access to counseling and mental health services. In addition to highlighting key obstacles faced by this student group during the pandemic, this paper provides recommendations and implications for institutions to better serve this student group, including how institutions of higher education can coordinate a holistic approach to support student mental health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impacts of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Well-Being)
19 pages, 1300 KiB  
Article
How Does COVID-19 Risk Perception Affect Sense of Control? The Roles of Death Anxiety and Confucian Coping
by Lianqiong Huang, Yubo Hou, Zhaoyang Sun and Qi Wang
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2299; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032299 - 28 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2138
Abstract
This research examined the impact of COVID-19 risk perception on sense of control, testing the hypotheses that COVID-19 risk perception would reduce sense of control and that this effect would be mediated by death anxiety and moderated by Confucian coping. A series of [...] Read more.
This research examined the impact of COVID-19 risk perception on sense of control, testing the hypotheses that COVID-19 risk perception would reduce sense of control and that this effect would be mediated by death anxiety and moderated by Confucian coping. A series of six studies were conducted with Chinese participants (N = 2202) and employed different research designs in lab and real-life settings. Across the studies, we found that the perceived risk of COVID-19 impaired sense of control. Studies 3a to 5 further revealed that death anxiety mediated the adverse effect of COVID-19 risk perception on sense of control, and Studies 4 to 5 revealed that Confucian coping strategies alleviated the adverse effect of COVID-19 risk perception on sense of control. These findings shed new light on the psychological impact of risk perception in times of crisis and identify mitigating factors and boundary conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impacts of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Well-Being)
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