Data repository
On this page you can find the data repository consisting of all the current psychological studies about COVID-19 in Belgium. For each study a short summary, take home messages and policy implications are provided. Studies are arranged in alphabetical order based on the first author's name.
There are two options to search through the list of studies. You can either use different filters that select the information based on the population's age category, the type of population or main topic addressed. The other option is to use the search bar to look for specific keywords. The filters and search function can’t be used together. The data repository is only available in English.
If you would want to add a study to the data repository, please fill out this document. We would like to kindly ask you to make sure all columns are filled out. Any additional questions about the data repository can be sent to Alix.Bigot@gmail.com or hannah.de.laet@vub.be.
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Vaping during the COVID-19 lockdown period in Belgium
Adriaens, K., Van Gucht, D., Van Lommel, S., & Baeyens F
Short summary
Due to the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Belgian government has set out a range of measures to prevent the spread of the virus. One measure included closing all non-food shops, including vape shops. A retrospective online questionnaire was used to investigate the impact of closing the vape shops on the vaping and/or smoking behavior of current vapers. The sample (n = 202) reached consisted of 70% exclusive vapers, 29% dual users and 1% no-product users. Over half (55%) of participants was in need to buy e-liquid during the lockdown, with a small majority being able to buy e-liquids – mostly with their usual nicotine concentrations, flavor or brand –, but as much as 39% of them running out of e-liquid. Those buying e-liquid mainly did so by making purchases via foreign online webshops. A similar pattern was observed with respect to purchasing hardware, with about half (47%) of participants reporting hardware availability and with a small majority (53%) reporting hardware unavailability. Of those indicating that hardware was not available, 38% ran out of a properly functioning e-cigarette. A non-trivial minority was forced to consume e-liquids with another nicotine concentration, flavor or brand than usual. One seventh of exclusive vapers relapsed partly or completely to smoking during the lockdown. The main reasons for changing vaping and/or smoking behavior included the unavailability of e-liquid with nicotine, the unavailability of hardware, and stress/worries about COVID-19. The majority of vapers succeeded in maintaining their vaping behavior as usual, highly likely due to (illegally) buying consumables online. Nevertheless, for a minority the lockdown period resulted in unintended consequences and these vapers relapsed (completely) to smoking. Even during periods of lockdown, smokers and vapers should be able to purchase low(er)-risk alternatives to smoking, for example e-cigarettes.
Take home message
1. A majority of vapers knows how to purchase e-liquids and consumables, even when brick-and-mortar vape shops are closed.
2. A non-trivial minority relapse to smoking when e-liquids and consumables are not accessible.
Policy implications
1. The ability to purchase e-liquids and consumables online may be a protective factor to relapse to smoking when brick-and-mortar vape shops need to be closed.
2. Access to low(er)-risk alternatives to smoking needs to be guaranteed at all times.
Comparative optimism about infection and recovery from COVID-19; Implications for adherence with lockdown advice.
Asimakopoulou, K., Hoorens, V., Speed, E., Coulson, N. S., Antoniszczak, D., Collyer, F., Deschrijver, E., Dubbin, L., Faulks, D., Forsyth, R., Goltsi, V., Harsløf, I., Larsen, K., Manaras, I., Olczak-Kowalczyk, D., Willis, K., Xenou, T. & Scambler, S.
Short summary
We examine various aspects of risk perception concerning COVID-19, including biases in the perception of one’s own and other people’s risk and risk behavior and attributions of responsibility to various instances for spreading infections and curbing the pandemic in 9 countries. The main Flemish sample includes over 8000 adult participants of all ages of the general public (mostly women).
Take home message
Most people believe that they are less vulnerable to COVID-19 than others. ;People believe that they have contributed more to the curbing than to the spreading of infections; Large differences exist between countries in the extent to which people believe that the government and scientists have contributed to spreading infections and curbing the pandemic. ; Belgium is among the countries with highest confidence in the role of the medical system and scientists in curbing the pandemic (and less in the role of the government). UK and US are the only countries where people believe that the government has contributed more to the spreading than to the curbing of the pandemic.
Policy implications
Because comparative optimism may encourage risk behavior and the neglect of precautions, it must be addressed in public health communication ; Flanders is doing well in maintaining people’s trust in the medical system and scientists; There is room for improvement of trust in measures imposed by the government
Le bien-être et la motivation des élèves durant la crise sanitaire liée au Covid-19 [Student well-being and motivation during Covid-19 crisis]
Baudouin, N., Dellisse, S., Coertjens, L., Galand, B., Crépin, F., Baye, A., & Lafontaine, D.
Short summary
In Belgium, the covid-19 crisis led to the closure of schools from 16th March 2020. In secondary education, from 18thMay 2020, some grades (mainly grades 8 and 12) were allowed to return to school twice a week. On September 1st 2020, all secondary education students went back to school on a full-time basis, but have to wear facial masks. The aims of this study are twofold. First, shedding light on secondary students’ well-being during the covid-19 crisis. Second, detailing how the educational system responded to the crisis and the impact on learners’ motivation. Secondary education students were invited to fill out a short online questionnaire at two moments: in June 2020 (N = 6.015) and at the end of September (N = 2423). Both questionnaires were very similar and focused on students’ motivation and well-being, relying on previously validated scales (Galand & Philippot, 2002; Hospel et al., 2016; Olivier et al., 2020; Holmberg, 2020). Regarding students’ well-being during the covid-19 crisis, we remark that overall students reported to be less happy compared to the HBSC 2018 results as well in June and at the end of September. Although students from the 2nd and 3rddegree appear to be more strongly impacted than students from the first degree in September. Regarding the way the educational system responded to the crises, it is important to know that in the Spring of 2020, Ministry decided that summative assessments (planned in June) were cancelled. Homework – focused on content already taught – was provided for students. Teachers were also expected to keep in touch with their students. The data indicate that a majority of students received homework (70.9 %). About half of students indicate a regular contact with their teachers (54.5 %), although only 27.5% indicated to speak to a teacher at least once a week. Results from regression analysis indicate an interaction effect (B = 0.057, p = .005): the negative effect of the frequency of homework on pupils' sense of self-efficacy would mainly be present among pupils who report low frequency of contact with teachers and would not concern pupils who report having a lot of contact with teachers. Pupils who receive a lot of work to do but have little contact with teachers would therefore feel less able to do the work expected of them.
Take home message
(1) The temporary interruption of school is not necessarily linked to a decline in well-being. Returning to school is not necessarily linked to an increase in well-being. (2)To support student motivation, teachers support (both learning and emotional support) are important. (3) Experiences are very different from one student to another (both for well-being and motivation during « lockdown » and for the beginning of the school year)
Policy implications
Recommendations for teachers: (1) Provide emotional support in addition to academic support. Your students are likely to be behind in their learning. Instructional support to catch up is important. However, a trap would be to focus only on pedagogical support. Emotional support is essential for students' academic motivation (which will later affect learning). A dedicated space for students to talk seems like a good idea to get feedback on their experiences in real time as well as to make them feel that the school is not forgetting them. Try to care about their experiences, not just once, but repeatedly. If you are having trouble figuring out how to do this, taking into account the characteristics of your classrooms, don't hesitate to ask trusted colleagues or a CPMS worker for advice. (2) Maintain contact between students. Again, social contact between students proves important to maintain in these particular situations. In lockdown, the use of computer platforms can serve this connection. In the classroom, students complain that the sanitary rules put in place in schools slow down the connection between students and teachers. Keep in mind that while measures are important to adhere to, it is important to maintain supportive contact (emotional and educational). A good perception of social support from peers improves well-being. Maintaining contact between students, even at a distance, is also a point of attention. (3) Ask for regular feedback to identify students who are struggling. Students report wide disparities in their experiences of lockdown. It is important to keep in mind that while some students experience being able to manage their work schedule on their own well, others may have great difficulty getting organized. This is a skill that can be learned. Asking for regular feedback on work management can help identify students who are struggling. Organizing exchanges of work management practices among students can also be beneficial. If advice comes from peers, students may be more attentive to it and implement it more easily.
Adherence to the Physical Distancing Measures during the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A HAPA‐Based Perspective
Beeckman, M., De Paepe, A., Van Alboom, M., Maes, S., Wauters, A., Baert, F., Kissi, A., Veirman, E., Van Ryckeghem, D. & Poppe, L
Short summary
In general, retributive measures were supported less than assistance measures, because such policies go against core democratic values (e.g., personal freedom). However, respondents who read news reports about norm-deviating groups reported more negative emotions (e.g., anger, condemnation, disgust), which further caused more support for retributive measures and less assistance support. Interestingly, respondents who read about norm-violating foreigners showed the highest support for retributive measures, indicating that people might blame foreigners for spreading the virus rather than fellow nationals that disobey hygiene standards and social distancing. These findings have important consequences for international relations within Europe.
Italy was the first European country where the COVID-19 disease hit hard, and was readily accused of spreading the virus around Europe. People search for positive
distinctiveness in relation to other groups in any given comparative context. Hence, news about other national groups breaking ‘corona-measures’ has the potential to elicit very strong negative emotions towards these norm-violating (sub)groups. Furthermore, such emotions can further translate into a stronger endorsement of punishment-based governmental decisions to contain the virus. The consequences of such shifted [A6] attitudes towards foreigners should not be underestimated. As the Head of the United Nations, António Guterres, stated, the COVID-19 outbreak is unleashing “a tsunami of hate and xenophobia, scapegoating and scaremongering”. Seven hundred years ago, there was an increase in anti-Jew hatred during the Black Death. Now, we can also notice a rise in prejudice towards Asians in other studies, and towards (disobeying) Italians in our study. When governments blame such foreign groups, they might opt for harsher confinement measures. Their citizens might perceive such decisions as more legitimate, and potentially become more hostile towards foreigners. Such negative spiral readily exacerbates international tensions. It is therefore of utmost importance to avoid thinking in terms of the “us-versus-them” divide. We advocate policy makers to create a sense of inclusive togetherness, and promote collective resilience and international solidarity. As an optimistic endnote, it seems that people endorse such solidarity- based measures to a greater extent than retributive measures, even for deviant foreigners. The future will tell whether or not such methods will be effective to fight future pandemics.
Take home message
1. Self‐efficacy, outcome expectancies, intention, action planning, and coping planning are related to adherence to physical distancing measures.
2. Reduced mental well‐being is related to more difficulties to adhere to physical distancing measures and less perseverance in doing so.
3. Social support is an important resource for adherence to the keeping 1.5 m physical distance measure.
Policy implications
Health action process approach determinants are associated with adherence to physical distancing measures. Future work could therefore design HAPA‐based interventions to support people in adhering to these measures.
Sociodemographic, Cognitive and Emotional Determinants of Two Health Behaviors during SARS-Cov-2 Outbreak: An Online Study among French-Speaking Belgian Responders during the Spring Lockdown
Bigot, A., Banse, E., Cordonnier, A. & Luminet, O.
Short summary
To contain the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate, health authorities have encouraged the population to enhance protective behaviors such as physical distancing and handwashing. Behavioral sciences emphasize the role of socio-cognitive determinants to explain health behaviors, while largely ignoring emotional factors. In a large online study (N > 4000), we investigated the role of sociodemographic, cognitive, emotional, and social factors that can facilitate or hinder handwashing and limitation of social contacts. Data were collected from March 18 until April 19, 2020, which corresponds to the spring lockdown and the first peak of the pandemic in Belgium. Logistic regressions showed that socio-demographic factors (gender, age, level of education) and the dimensions of the Theory of Planned Behavior (intentions, attitudes, perceived control and subjective norms) had a strong impact on health behaviors, but that emotional factors explained an additional part of the variance. Being attentive/determined and frightened/anxious were related to a higher frequency of handwashing, along with a high level of health anxiety. In contrast, being enthusiastic/happy was related to lower adherence to limiting social contacts. Our results suggest that the type of predictors and the direction of associations depend on the type of health behavior considered. The role of specific emotional factors in addition to more classical predictors is discussed. The study offers new perspectives regarding the factors that are associated with the adherence to behaviors recommended to adopt when faced with a pandemic.
Take home message
1. Handwashing and the limitation of social contacts are underlined by different processes, which is evidenced by different patterns of predictors.
2. Sociodemographic aspects have to be taken into account to understand individual’s compliance with the measures.
3. Depending on the behavior aimed, intention, attitude, social norms and self-efficacy are keys component for the enforcement of governmental measures.
4. Both positive and negative emotions are related to the application of handwashing and social contact limitation, but with a different contribution.
Policy implications
1. Governmental communications need to focus on clarifying the beneficial impact of the recommended behaviors.
2. A clear and transparent communication is needed with the general public is needed, and should be directed toward the understanding of social norms related to the recommended behaviors
3. Different strategies need to be considered in order to increase adherence to the specific health behaviors as they are not associated with the same variables as everyday health behaviors.
Self-reported distress in French-speaking Belgium at the end of the lockdown period
Blekic, W., Wauthia, E. & Rossignol, M.
Short summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a recognized impact on the psychological well-being of the population. In particular, psychological distress might have been reinforced by uncertainty about the duration of the measures and the crisis. Accordingly, this study aimed to (1) measure self-reported distress in French-speaking Belgium after six weeks of strict application of lockdown and (2) explore the determinants of this distress by investigating a specific role of intolerance of uncertainty, which has been isolated as a transdiagnostic process involved in anxiety and adaptation disorders. To this aim, 548 participants completed an online survey including questions about demographical features (age, gender, education, etc.), COVID-19 personal impact, a French version of the Covid-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI, Qiu et al., 2020), and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (Freeston et al., 1994). The global CPDI score was of 33.41 and fifty-four percent of the sample reported mild to severe psychological distress. As hypothesized, psychological distress was only predicted by intolerance of uncertainty. Our results highlight the rapidity with which the containment situation caused psychological distress and discuss intolerance to uncertainty as a predisposed personality trait as well as an inherent consequence of the pandemic situation.
Take home message
Policy implications
Under review
Generatie 2020: een follow-up studie
Braet, C. & Van Beveren, M.L.
Short summary
During the Covid-19 lockdown (April 2020), we questioned a sample of adolescents in one region in Belgium and concluded that one in three adolescents between the age of 15 and 21 suffered from (sub)clinical mental health problems. We could rely on a large-scale project entitled Generation 2020 – which was initiated in 2014 by our research group – and has been following a community sample (N=1655) in one region since 2014. Participants are now 15 to 21 years old. Based on online self-report questionnaires, we assessed (a) the number of life-stressors and perceived stress, (b) self- reported temperamental vulnerability (c) well-being. We hypothesized that a unique temperamental profile (constituting out of three traits) carries strong potential to predict mental health problems in response to stressors and more specific to Covid-19. Now we are conducting further in depth analyses testing a moderated mediation model using longitudinal structural equation modelling (SEM) with latent variables to analyse more closely the data. In February 2021 a new follow-up is planned.
Take home message
Policy implications
Paper submitted
Meaningful activities during COVID-19 lockdown and association with mental health in Belgian adults
Cruyt, E., De Vriendt, P., De Letter, M., Vlerick, P., Calders, P., De Pauw, R., Oostra, K., Rodriguez-Bailón, M., Szmalec, A., Merchán-Baeza, J-A., Fernández-Solano, J., Vidaña, M., & Van de Velde, D.
Short summary
Background: The spread of COVID-19 has affected people’s daily lives, and the lockdown may have led to a disruption of daily activities and a decrease of people’s mental health.
Aim: To identify correlates of adults’ mental health during the COVID-19 lockdown in Belgium and to assess the role of meaningful activities in particular.
Methods: A cross-sectional web survey for assessing mental health (General Health Questionnaire), resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale), meaning in activities (Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey), and demographics was conducted during the first Belgian lockdown between April 24 and May 4, 2020. The lockdown consisted of closing schools, non-essential shops, and recreational settings, employees worked from home or were technically unemployed, and it was forbidden to undertake social activities. Every adult who had access to the internet and lived in Belgium could participate in the survey; respondents were recruited online through social media and e-mails. Hierarchical linear regression was used to identify key correlates.
Results: Participants (N = 1781) reported low mental health (M = 14.85/36). In total, 42.4% of the variance in mental health could be explained by variables such as gender, having children, living space, marital status, health condition, and resilience (β = −.33). Loss of meaningful activities was strongly related to mental health (β = −.36) and explained 9% incremental variance (R2 change = .092, p < .001) above control variables.
Conclusions: The extent of performing meaningful activities during the COVID-19 lockdown in Belgium was positively related to adults’ mental health. Insights from this study can be taken into account during future lockdown measures in case of pandemics.
Take home message
*The extent of performing meaningful activities during the COVID-19 lockdown in Belgium was positively related to adults’ mental health.
*Maintaining or reconstructing meaningful activities during the
COVID-19 pandemic seemed to be an important pathway to build a meaningful life in the context of profound disruption.
Policy implications
*Increasing awareness of the importance of meaningful activities in daily life might lead to more widespread recognition of the potentially detrimental effects
of disruption and deprivation of such activities when these occur
*Besides economical and
health aspects, meaning in activities must also be taken into account throughout lockdown decision-making processes and measures.
The impact of Covid-19 on the PhD population at KU Leuven?
D'Agostini, M., Carra, G., Walentynowicz, M. & Vlaeyen, J.
Short summary
The outbreak of COVID-19 around the world led to the introduction of several restriction measures, including social distancing and the lock-down of research facilities. Whereas social distancing is effective to slow-down the spread of a pandemic, it strongly affects the social and working life of individuals. This project focused on the impact of COVID-19 on the mental well-being and work-related activities of PhD students population at KU Leuven. Since around 50% of PhD population at KU Leuven is international, we also explored the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on work-related social interactions assessing the likelihood of receiving comment on how the country of origin was handling the coronavirus and jokes about the coronavirus and their nationality by a person of another nationality.
Methods: 992 PhD students at KU Leuven completed an online survey in the period between 25/4/2020 and 3/5/2020.
Results: PhD students experienced a decline in mental health, lower work motivation, productivity, and satisfaction compared to before the outbreak. Students living alone had stronger decline in mental health compared to those living with others. Almost half (45%) of the respondent PhD students declared to have less contact with their supervisors. These students also reported worse motivation, satisfaction, and productivity as compared to the students that had regular contact with their supervisor. 77% indicated that the lockdown affected, at least to some extent, their research planning. The most affected research activities were conference organization/attendance, data collection, setting up experiments, and access to facilities/recourses. International PhD students reported worse motivation and satisfaction, but did not report worse work productivity when compared to Belgians. 40% of PhD students reported receiving a comment, half of them were international students. 10% of PhD students reported receiving a joke, of these, two out of three were international students.
Take home message
1. Living alone predicted stronger decline in mental health.
2. PhD Students with lower contact with the supervisor were at higher risk of poor work satisfaction, motivation, and productivity.
3. Internationals may be at higher risk of poor work satisfaction and motivation, but not productivity.
4. The majority of PhD students indicated that the lockdown affected their research activities/planning.
Policy implications
1. Designing a contact point for free and professional psychological support targeting PhD students;
2. Providing PhD students who live alone more freedom on where they want to telework.
3. Providing funding extension to PhD students whose research activities/planning has been mostly affected;
4. Allowing changes in the doctoral plan,
5. Changing regulation on minimal requirements to obtain PhD (e.g., reducing minimum number of studies).
writing in process
The impact of COVID-19 on the wellbeing and cognitive functioning of older adults
De Pue, S., Gillebert, C., Dierckx, E., Vanderhasselt, M.A., De Raedt, R. & Van den Bussche, E.
Short summary
COVID-19 took a heavy toll on older adults. In Belgium, by the end of August, 93% of deaths due to COVID-19 were aged 65 or older. Similar trends were observed in other countries. As a consequence, older adults were identified as a group at risk, and strict governmental restrictions were imposed on them. This has caused concerns about their mental health. Using an online survey, this study established the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults aged 65 years or older, and which factors moderate this impact. Participants reported a significant decrease in activity level, sleep quality and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression was strongly related to reported declines in activity level, sleep quality, wellbeing and cognitive functioning. Our study shows that the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the mental health of older adults. This implies that this group at risk requires attention of governments and healthcare.
Take home message
1. The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the wellbeing, activity level and sleep quality of older adults.
2. Only a small group of participants reported a decline in cognitive functioning.
3. All changes reported during the COVID-19 period were strongly related to depression.
Policy implications
1. Concerns raised about the wellbeing of older adults are justified, and this group at risk requires the attention of governments and healthcare.
2. In the future, prevention and intervention strategies are needed to aid older adults to prepare for and cope with extreme stressors, such as COVID-19, especially for those at risk of depression. Psychological counselling could play an important in improving social skills in preventing loneliness and decreased wellbeing.
3. New ways need to be explored to reach older adults.
4. More attention needs to be devoted to the importance of maintaining strong social relationships (for example through social media usage and telephone contact) during major stressors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Media actions might help in stressing the importance of maintaining such interactions for older adults.
Psychosocial impact of covid-19 on refugees and migrants
Derluyn, I. & Verelst., A.
Short summary
Apart Together aims to uncover the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on refugees and migrants across the world. Quantitative data was collected from more than 30,000 respondents between April 2020 and October 2020, focusing on five categories: sociodemographic characteristics (1), COVID-19-related situations (2), daily stressors (3), mental health (4), and social well-being (5). The majority of the respondents reported a deterioration of daily stressors (i.e. access to work, safety, and financial means) and mental health (i.e. feelings of depression, worries, anxiety, and loneliness). In addition, over 60 % reported to follow preventive measures, such as covering their nose and mouth. Last, those that would not seek medical health care in case of suspected symptoms said this was mostly due to a lack of financial means and fear of deportation. The results clearly underline the need and importance of including refugees and migrants in policy responses to COVID‑19. Measures are needed to increase refugees’ and migrants’ access to multi-language information and to health services, both medical and psychological. Efforts need to be taken to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable groups, and to continue the provision of services - also in times of a pandemic.
Take home message
1. Almost one out of three refugees and migrants tested positive themselves or had a loved one who tested positive.
2. Not all would seek medical care in case of (suspected) COVID-19-infection, because of lack of financial means, fear of deportation, lack of availability of health care providers or entitlement to health care.
3. A large majority of refugees and migrants take precautions, to avoid COVID-19-infections, and follow the government-initiated preventive measures, especially increased handwashing, keeping physical distance and covering nose and mouth.
4. Those living on the street report more difficulty in following measures related to increased handwashing, while those living in a refugee camp or asylum center report more difficulties following rules regarding physical distancing.
5. Refugees and migrants rely on different sources of information about COVID-19 from the news, from friends and family and from social media, both in the home as in the host country.
6. NGOs and supporting organisations do play a key role in information provision on COVID-19 for certain groups and in certain regions.
7. The COVID-19-pandemic, including the government-initiated measures, have strongly impacted the lives, in all its domains, of all refugees and migrants. Overall ,they report a greater struggle with access to work, safety and financial means since the outbreak of COVID-19.
8. Most refugees and migrants report that depressive feelings, anxiety, worries and loneliness are seriously worsened since the COVID-19 outbreak and have a lot of worries related to COVID-19.
9. Having lost one’s income increases the likelihood for worsened mental health problems.
10. Thirteen to 17% of the refugees and migrants experience more discrimination because of their origin or religion than before the pandemic
11. The most effective strategies to feel better for respondents are staying in contact with family and friends, entertaining oneself, seeking information and meditating/praying.
Policy implications
1. Reduce language and financial barriers to seeking health care for refugees and migrants.
2. Targeted and accessible information for all.
3. Adress discrimination and stigmatization and actively focusing on sensitization campaigns ro rpevent it.
4. Improve daily living conditions for different groups of migrants and refugees, especially those living in more precarious situations, such as on the street or as undocumented migrants.
5. Ensure psychological support and foster connectedness for refugees and migrants during and after the pandemic.
6. Ensure participation of refugees and migrants as part of the solution in response plans for COVID-19
HELICON: Unravelling the long-term and indirect health impact of the COVID-19 crisis in Belgium
Devleesschauwer , B.,De Smedt , D.,Gadeyne , S.,Speybroeck , N., Blot, K.,Cavillot , L.,De Pauw , R.,Ghattas , J.,Khan , Y.,Van den Borre , L.,Van Lancker , W.,Vandepitte , S.,Vanroelen , C.,Vanthomme , K., & Verhaeghe , N.
Short summary
"Despite the wealth of information on the current, immediate impact of COVID-19, several knowledge gaps remain on the other dimensions of the COVID-19 crisis impact. To address these knowledge gaps, the HELICON project aims to fulfil three research objectives:
(1) Identify socio-economic and sociodemographic factors of risk and resilience through the assessment of the social patterning of COVID-19 testing, infection, hospitalizations and mortality.
(2) Describe the medium- and long-term direct health impact of COVID-19 infections with regard to healthcare use after COVID hospitalization.
(3) Assess the indirect health impact of the COVID-19 crisis in terms of non-COVID morbidity and mortality and the health economic impact of delayed health care use.
Throughout the project, four guiding principles will be respected – i.e., valorisation of routine administrative health data sources, evaluation of social differentials, evaluation of differentials across the different epidemic waves, and knowledge translation and policy transfer."
Take home message
The project has started in April 2021. Results on the work packages dedicated to the mental health impact are expected in the spring of 2023.
Policy implications
The immediate impact of HELICON will lie in the generation of new scientific knowledge on the long-term and indirect impact of the corona crisis, and the social inequalities therein. As a secondary objective, HELICON will assess the validity of routine administrative data sources for research on novel health threats such as COVID-19. These findings will have implications for the valorisation and management of administrative health data collections. In the medium and long term, HELICON aims to have a significant impact on policy and public services, with expected gains in terms of health and economic development.
Impact of restriction of visits on mental health of nursing home residents
Dezutter, J.
Short summary
(DUTCH) De levensfase van de hoge leeftijd brengt veel uitdagingen, en ook verlieservaringen met zich mee. In dit onderzoek gaan we na hoe bewoners in WZC betekenis ervaren in hun leven, en hoe verlies van betekenis in het leven en existentiële eenzaamheid samenhangt met verminderde psychische gezondheid zichtbaar in bijvoorbeeld een toename in depressieve symptomen.
Take home message
Our findings encourage the extensive efforts made by care staff to implement new modes of social contact during challenging times. More frequent engagement in social connectedness interventions was associated with less loneliness and less depressed feelings in residents, and especially video-calling may be protective when real-life contact is impossible.
Continued activities with co-residents also provide important opportunities for social interaction, which may protect against feelings of loneliness.
Policy implications
1. Investment in elderly care personnel is highly needed to take up whole person care, including attention for psychological well-being
2. Safeguarding that residents are allowed to see at least one close contact is highly advised
3. Taking precautions so that a minimum of social activities (meal sharing, television watching) can continue even during a lockdown might be important to protect against loneliness
Under review
Report (dutch): https://ppw.kuleuven.be/meaning-and-existence/projecten_en_publicaties/oudere-volwassenen-en-geriatrische-zorg
Investigating the complex interrelation between multimedia use and mental wellbeing at times of physical distancing
Faelens, L., Hoorelbeke, K., De Raedt, R & Koster, E.
Short summary
Results pertaining the effect of multimedia on mental health are mixed, suggesting that it may be important to take other factors into account. Research suggests that contextual factors may affect how and why people use multimedia, and how media use influences mental health. The coronavirus pandemic, which has led to unseen physical distancing measures around the globe, provides an interesting backdrop to study the influence of contextual variables. These measures may affect multimedia use and (dys)functioning in different ways, depending on personal or situational factors such as (a) housing condition, (b) quarantine status, (c) whether or not one (cohabits with someone that) is infected by COVID-19, or (d) at-risk for complications of COVID-19. Contextual influences on the relation between digital media use and indicators of (dys)functioning were examined in 1433 UK residents using network analyses and novel machine learning techniques. Our results showed that the interrelationships between multimedia use and mental health were at least partially contingent on personal contextual factors such as COVID-19 status of oneself or housemates, whether or not one was allowed to leave the house for work and whether or not one or one’s housemates belonged to a high-risk group.
Take home message
The complex interplay between media use and different indicators of wellbeing at times of physical distancing are impacted by context factors such as housing condition and at risk state for complications following infection from COVID-19.
Policy implications
Raise awareness regarding the role of multimedia to stay informed with measures taking to prevend the spread of COVID-19, as well as to stay connected with one's social network.
Under review
Couple Satisfaction during the Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown : Longitudinal Individual and Dyadic Perspectives
Galdiolo, S., Geonet, M., & Gaugue, J.
Short summary
The current study was a 4-waves longitudinal study with the objective to examine the developmental trajectory of couple satisfaction during the lockdown with individual (N = 371 individuals) and dyadic (N = 108 couples) perspectives, including gender, the number (or absence) of children, the number of hours spent together, and the duration of the relationship as time-invariant predictors and the partner’s couple satisfaction development as a time-varying covariate. First, results showed positive intraindividual changes of couple satisfaction during the lockdown: Experiencing the lockdown would increase the partners’ effectiveness for resolving couple conflicts and decrease partners’ aggressiveness. Second, participants had also perceived the influence of the lockdown as more and more positive over time on couple and family functioning. Third, there were no difference in terms of developmental trajectory between men vs. women and parents vs. nonparents. Finally, the couple satisfaction of both partners changed in tandem during the lockdown: The perception of the couple relationship seems to similarly evolve between partners. Consequently, the lockdown would be a dyadic phenomenon more than a phenomenon that exacerbate the partners’ differences and perceptions.
Take home message
Although the lockdown had a negative influence on individual mental health, it also had positive impact for couples, especially in terms of better resolution of conflicts and less use of aggression within the couple, thanks to the increase in time spent in couples. Some lessons could be learned from this lockdown experience. The first one concerned the notion of time spent in couple and family. The lockdown was a temporary intensive experience during which all members of a family or couple continuously live together in their house, by maintaining their usual activities (e.g., working, household tasks) without being on holidays. Our results showed that it has been relatively positive for the couple relationship. Thus, the couple needs time to cope with daily couple problems. It allows skipping the social, relational, and family obligations that could sometimes be a stressor for couple. More family and couple time would be a protective factor against aggression and problems-solving resolution within the couple. The second lesson refers to the dyadic trajectory of couple satisfaction. The lockdown allows to intensively share one’s partner’s daily life and to experience the same perception of the couple satisfaction. Hence, sharing the same perception of the couple relationship is also a protective factor for couples to facilitate coordination and provide confidence about the predictability of partners’ attitudes and behaviors
Policy implications
Because the lockdown influences both partners in the same way, there is only a risk of emotional contagion. It would be important to establish specific support for couples with a weak initial level of satisfaction and a high initial level of violence, e.g. a list of therapists of couple, specific applications for couple difficulties, websites... Moreover, it seems that the lockdown is more difficult for parental couples. So, it is needed to establish specific online support for parental couples.
Submitted
Psychological distress during the COVID-19 lockdown: The young adults most at risk
Glowacz, F. & Schmits, E.
Short summary
To control the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have implemented restrictions. This study evaluates psychological distress related to the crisis and identifies predictive factors of anxiety/depression according to age. 2,871 adults were recruited through an online questionnaire during the lockdown. Three subsamples were identified: 18–30; 30–50; > 50 years. The population suffers from anxiety and depression. Young adults reported lower levels of living space, occupational activity, social contact and alcohol use, but higher anxiety, depression and uncertainty than older participants. This psychological distress can be explained by lockdown conditions (differently according to age) and by intolerance to uncertainty. Also, youth's alcohol intake has decreased. Deconfinement strategies have been discussed.
Take home message
Young people are more sensitive to lockdown conditions and psychological distress
Policy implications
To propose clear guidelines for teachers to help them communicate with students, to offer access to infrastructure that will be conducive to their well-being, such free psychological consultations, and the promotion of access to sports and cultural centers.To provide public health warnings about the risk of excessive consumption in social contexts among young adults after lockdown
Is the media coverage of COVID-19 prejudiced?
Hoorens, V. & master's thesis students
Short summary
Inspired by earlier studies on gender and ethnic biases in media coverage of sports and politics, we analyze coverage in the written media (Newspapers) of the experiences and behaviors of different groups during the first and the second outbreak in Flanders (Spring and Autumn/Winter 2020). We will examine if different groups are differently represented in this coverage and if messages about them focus on different aspects of the pandemic (e.g., experiences vs. risk behavior, psychological vs. physical suffering). Such biases are often non-intentional, and those susceptible of them are often unaware that they exist. However, they may be consequential because the agenda of policy makers, public health officers and researchers, and influential interest groups is likely to be affected to some extent by their exposure to media coverage. Biases in it may thus contribute to unbalanced precautionary measures and even to blind spots in policy development. Moreover, biases in media coverage may affect social cohesion and (particularly if the messages are about risk behavior) threaten harmony between groups in society. Our project will raise awareness among media representatives about the possibility and potential consequences of biases in their coverage of COVID-19 just like in other domains.
Take home message
Given that gender and ethnic biases in media coverage of various topics are well-documented, there is reason to expect that they may occur in media coverage of COVID-19 as well.
Policy implications
Recommendation for journalists
Ongoing
Ironic side-effects of appeals to follow behavioral rules
Hoorens, V., Molenberghs, G., Verbeke, G., Demarest, S. & Deschrijver, E.
Short summary
We examine self-favoring biases in risk perception and in the appraisal of one’s own risk and precautionary behavior. Through a longitudinal study (data collection of the first wave almost being completed, target N = 5000) on a sample from the general population from all regions of Belgium we examine the effect of ‘errors’ in risk perception on the motivation to follow precautionary rules. In addition, we will in an online experiment test the hypothesis that there are situations where appeals meant to motivate people to comply with precautionary rules against COVID-19 ironically inflate precisely those biases that reduce compliance. Our project will thus yield specific and readily applicable solutions to achieve an urgently needed better compliance with precautionary measures.
Take home message
Systematic biases in people’s appraisal of risks and their own risk behavior exist; These biases discourage precautionary behavior and encourage risk behavior; Interventions meant to enhance compliance with precautionary rules and vaccination policies may ironically inflate biases; Interventions that are generally effective tools for behavior change may thus be counterproductive.
Policy implications
Persuasive messages should explicitly address widespread biases in people’s appraisals of their risks and risk behavior; Persuasive communication should avoid inadvertently enhancing biased risk perception.
Ongoing
Covidenik/Covidetmoi
Lorant, V., Smith, P., Seeber, K., Van den Broeck, K. & Nicaise, P.
Short summary
During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, about two thirds of young people (aged 16 to 25 years old) experienced ‘mental distress’, which includes a broad range of non-specific mental health problems. While little difference was found between students and non-students or those with or without a chronic condition, mental distress was higher among women, those experiencing loneliness or low social support, and those with a large change in social media use and some everyday activities. Young people and women report lower mental health compared to men and older age groups even in normal conditions, but the pandemic seems to be contributing to an even growing inequality
Take home message
Young people experience high levels of mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings indicate that the mental distress was highest among women, those experiencing loneliness or low social support and those whose usual everyday life is most affected.
Policy implications
The psychological needs of young people, such as the need for peer interaction, should be more recognized and supported.
Psychological distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and suppression measures during the first wave in Belgium
Lorant, V., Smith, P., Van den Broeck, K. & Nicaise, P.
Short summary
Background: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and its associated measures led to high levels of mental distress in the general population. Previous research indicated that young people are especially vulnerable for a wide range of mental health problems during the pandemic, but little is known about the mechanisms. This study examined mental distress and its contributing factors among young Belgian people.
Methods: An online survey was widely distributed in Belgium during the first wave of COVID-19 in March, and 16–25-year-olds were selected as a subsample. Mental distress was assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and a threshold of ≥4 was used to discriminate mental distress cases from non-cases. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate possible predictors of mental distress, including demographics, chronic condition, history of mental health problems, social support, exposure to COVID-19, and several changes in everyday activities.
Results: A total of 2,008 respondents were included, of which the majority was female (78.09%) and student (66.82%). The results indicate that about two thirds (65.49%) experienced mental distress. In the multivariable regression model, significant (p < 0.01) predictors of mental distress were female gender (OR = 1.78), low social support (OR = 2.17), loneliness (OR = 5.17), a small (OR = 1.63), or large (OR = 3.08) increase in social media use, a small (OR = 1.63) or large (OR = 2.17) decrease in going out for drinks or food, and a decrease in doing home activities (OR = 2.72).
Conclusion: Young people experience high levels of mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings indicate that mental distress was highest among women, those experiencing loneliness or low social support and those whose usual everyday life is most affected. The psychological needs of young people, such as the need for peer interaction, should be more recognized and supported.
Take home message
During the first wave and period of measurements, half of the people reported more psychological distress. General levels of distress are 2.3 fold of what is observed in non-covid-times. Women and youngsters were more at risk compared to men and older groups, was were respondents that were exposed to COVID-19.
Policy implications
Policy makers should therefore be aware of the potential disadvantages of confinement in terms of mental health, and develop strategies to mitigate the adverse consequences of the measures.
Medium-term effects of slackening in social isolation measures on loneliness in youth: a longitudinal prospective study during the COVID-19 lockdown measures and beyond.
Marchini, S., Reis, J., Bouziotis, J., Brondino, N., Delvenne, V., & Delhaye, M.
Short summary
This longitudinal prospective study evaluated the effects of the slackening of social isolation measures on youth mental health in Belgium and in Italy. The relationship between the variation in loneliness feelings between spring 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown measures, and summer 2020, along with resilience competencies has been explored to determine the potential predictive role on medium-terms effects in mental health. We conducted a two-phase online survey from spring 2020 to summer 2020. The primary outcomes were the Resilience Scale for Adults and the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale. The secondary outcomes included mental health status in terms of professional help-seeking, use of psychotropic drugs, admission to a psychiatric department. Participants were divided into three groups according to mental health care needs (MHCN) before and after the lockdown measures. The group who experienced increase in MHCN displayed a significant diminution of loneliness compared to the other groups. The decrease of loneliness is linearly correlated with resilience competencies.
Take home message
This study enlightens that youth with lower resilience competencies are more sensitive to interpersonal social support.
Policy implications
Develop large-scale resilience strategies, encourage the decrease of social isolation and improve access to mental health care if needed.
Study of resilience and loneliness in youth (18–25 years old) during the COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown measures.
Marchini, S., Zaurino, E., Bouziotis, J., Brondino, N., Delvenne, V., & Delhaye, M.
Short summary
Aims: This study evaluated the risks and protective factors in mental health in 825 emerging adults aged from 18 to 25 years old in Belgium and in Italy. Resilience, loneliness and social and family context were explored to determine their specific role in coping with the emotional distress that spread worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We conducted an online survey on the secured platform Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap©). Data were collected between April 7th and May 4th 2020. The primary outcomes were the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA) and the UCLA (University of California Los Angeles) Loneliness Scale. The secondary outcomes included mental health status in terms of professional help-seeking, use of psychotropic drugs, admission to a psychiatric department before and during lockdown measures. Results: Responders were divided into three groups following the mental health care needs (MHCN) before and after the lockdown measures. The group who experienced increase in MHCN represented almost the 5% of the assessed youth. Statistically significant differences were found in means of RSA total score and RSA Perception of Self. Conclusion: This study enlightens the possibly traumatic impact of COVID-19 pandemic on at-risk youth’s mental health. Early detection and intervention should be structured in large-scale disaster.
Take home message
1. 5% increase of mental health care needs in youth. 2. resilience and peer-to-peer exchange play a protective role to prevent increasing mental health care needs.
Policy implications
Encourage peer-to-peer exchanges for youth during restrictive measures.
Alcohol consumption / drinking motivations during lockdown
Maurage, P., Bollen, Z. & Pabst, A.
Short summary
The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the resulting lockdown measures have raised concerns regarding their effect on alcohol consumption. We investigated alcohol use during lockdown in a population of college students, usually characterized by social and heavy drinking. We also tested the predictive role of pre-lockdown drinking motives on alcohol consumption during lockdown. We collected data from 1951 French-speaking Belgian students during the lockdown period (April 1st – May 3rd, 2020) through a cross-sectional online survey. Participants self-reported their daily alcohol consumption (1) during a typical week in normal circumstances (i.e., before lockdown), and (2) since lockdown onset. We also assessed drinking motives and severity of alcohol use before lockdown. Our findings showed that 68.2% of the sample reported a lower alcohol consumption during lockdown compared to before lockdown, 17.2% conversely reporting a higher consumption. Enhancement, social and coping motives were all associated with heavy drinking before lockdown. Enhancement and social motives predicted lower alcohol consumption during lockdown among heavy drinkers. Conversely, coping motives, as well as social motives among low drinkers, predicted higher consumption during lockdown. Conformity motives, as well as enhancement motives among low and moderate drinkers, did not predict alcohol consumption before or during lockdown. Overall, several pre-lockdown drinking motives reliably predicted alcohol consumption during lockdown and could thus be used to identify at-risk populations and to tailor intervention programs on alcohol misuse during sanitary crises.
Take home message
We examined how drinking motives predict alcohol consumption under lockdown
College students substantially reduced consumption during lockdown
This reduction was particularly high among heavy drinkers
Enhancement and social motives predicted lower consumption during lockdown
Conversely, coping motives predicted higher consumption during lockdown
Policy implications
Since drinking motives predict consumption, their assessment could reduce the impact of future crises on alcohol use, by acting upstream at prevention (e.g., psychoeducation on alternative coping strategies) and clinical (e.g., prophylactic interventions towards individuals endorsing coping motives) levels.
Moving beyond the COVID-19 outbreak
Politi, E. & Roblain , A.
Short summary
The COVID-19 pandemic represented an unprecedented challenge for many people and communities around the world. During this pandemic, however, it especially became evident that refugee and immigrant minorities disproportionately bore the brunt of the infection, experiencing cumulative stressors that piled over preexisting disadvantages and social exclusions.
We summarise in this report a community-based project with the three largest refugee communities in Brussels, aimed at a) understanding the main stressors experienced by refugees and migrants during the virus outbreak; b) identifying how to overcome the virus outbreak via social support and community building.
Take home message
Policy implications
Based on our findings, we urge local authorities and service providers to a) address side effects of the pandemic in terms of lack of livelihood opportunities, access to labor market and housing problems among refugee communities; b) increase refugees’ social capital via the consolidation of bonding ties among refugees communities and bridging ties between refugee communities and Belgian society; c) consider the additional stressors experienced by individuals with precarious legal status or without residence permit; d) foster dialogue between established refugee representative groups and key institutional and organisational stakeholders.
An integrated COVID-19 threat framework: General and immigrant-specific threat appraisals from an intergroup perspective
Politi, E., Lueaders, A., Roblain, A., Spiritys-Beerden, E., Anderson, J., Van Assche, J., Sankaran, S., Green, E., Derluyn, I., Verelst, A., De Jonghe, S. & Phalet, K.
Short summary
The COVID-19 constitutes an unprecedented threat for individuals, communities, and entire societies, revealing intergroup inequalities in preparedness, exposure, and consequences. The present review completes extant knowledge on natural disasters and pandemic diseases with original cross-cultural and programmatic empirical research, to propose an integrated COVID-19 threat framework. Building up on a broad definition of threat that comprises individual, collective and socio-structural components, we merge micro-level analyses to group dynamics and intergroup relations. First, we conduct a literature review using streamlined methods of knowledge synthesis to distinguish between threats appraised by the general public and specific threats appraised by immigrants, refugees, and ethnic minorities. Second, we outline the social-psychological processes that from threat appraisals fuel either conflict or prosociality within and across groups. To conclude, we identify moderating factors to prevent or reduce social conflicts as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, promoting instead collective forms of resilience, social support and helping behaviours.
Take home message
Policy implications
Under review
No man is an island: Psychological underpinnings of prosociality in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak
Politi, E., Van Assche, J., Caprara, G.V. & Phalet, K.
Short summary
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, sustainable forms of collective resilience help societies coping cohesively with unprecedented challenges. In our empirical contribution, we framed collective resilience and cohesion in terms of prosociality. A study carried out in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK (N = 399) articulated basic individual values, ideological orientations (i.e., authoritarianism and social dominance orientation), and core political values in a comprehensive framework to predict bonding and bridging forms of prosocial intentions, and prosocial behaviors directed towards vulnerable groups. According to our findings, people whose worldview incorporates collective and collaborative principles cared more about others’ welfare. Jointly, self- transcendence, equality, and accepting immigrants predicted more prosociality, whereas social dominance orientation predicted less prosociality. Over and beyond all other predictors, self-transcendence uniquely pre- dicted prosocial intentions and behaviors alike. To conclude, we suggest interventions to promote and sustain prosociality among people motivated by a larger array of life goals and worldviews.
Take home message
Policy implications
Mental Distress and Its Contributing Factors Among Young People During the First Wave of COVID-19: A Belgian Survey Study
Rens, E., Smith, P., Nicaise, P., Lorant, V. & Van den Broeck, K.
Short summary
Background: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and its associated measures led to high levels of mental distress in the general population. Previous research indicated that young people are especially vulnerable for a wide range of mental health problems during the pandemic, but little is known about the mechanisms. This study examined mental distress and its contributing factors among young Belgian people.
Methods: An online survey was widely distributed in Belgium during the first wave of COVID-19 in March, and 16–25-year-olds were selected as a subsample. Mental distress was assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and a threshold of ≥4 was used to discriminate mental distress cases from non-cases. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate possible predictors of mental distress, including demographics, chronic condition, history of mental health problems, social support, exposure to COVID-19, and several changes in everyday activities.
Results: A total of 2,008 respondents were included, of which the majority was female (78.09%) and student (66.82%). The results indicate that about two thirds (65.49%) experienced mental distress. In the multivariable regression model, significant (p < 0.01) predictors of mental distress were female gender (OR = 1.78), low social support (OR = 2.17), loneliness (OR = 5.17), a small (OR = 1.63), or large (OR = 3.08) increase in social media use, a small (OR = 1.63) or large (OR = 2.17) decrease in going out for drinks or food, and a decrease in doing home activities (OR = 2.72).
Conclusion: Young people experience high levels of mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings indicate that mental distress was highest among women, those experiencing loneliness or low social support and those whose usual everyday life is most affected. The psychological needs of young people, such as the need for peer interaction, should be more recognized and supported.
Take home message
Up to two thirds of the youngsters experienced elevated levels of psychological distress during the first wave of covid-19 and associated measures. Women, people with less social support, those who reported higher levels of loneliness and changes in the use of social media or behavioural patterns are more at risk.
Policy implications
Policy makers should therefore more recognize and support the psychological needs of young people, such as peer interaction.
Moderators of the impact of the lockdown on parental distress
Roskam, I. & Mikolajczak, M
Short summary
Identification of the situational and psychological moderators of the impact of the lockdown on parental distress
Take home message
The health crisis and lockdown does not impact all parents in the same way: it is a godsend for some, a nightmare for others. à PB can increase in any type of family and in any parent. What really influences the level of PB and the resulting child abuse is the parents' perception of the impact of the health crisis and lockdown on their parenting. à Certain situations deserve special attention: lockdown with young children, children with special needs or young adults... And parents who are teleworking AND facing increased workload because of the crisis.
Policy implications
1. Putting support services in place for families with children with disabilities or behavioral problems
2. Establish support services for families with children under the age of 4 (these children cannot look after themselves and their constant solicitations contribute to exhaustion of the parents and encourage acting out)
3. Putting in place supports for adolescents so that their frustration at being confined or semi-confined does not "backfire" on their parents.
4. Asking employers to take steps to prevent increased workloads due to crisis or containment (having to telecommute AND care for children or teenagers at home is much more complicated when workloads increase)
5. For employers:aking active steps to prevent increased workloads due to crisis or containment (having to telecommute AND care for children or teenagers at home is much more complicated when workloads increase)
6. For Media: à do not focus only on the negative aspects of the crisis but also on the opportunities (our research shows that subjective perception explains most of the variance of psychological distress during confinement, far beyond the objective situation of the parent and his family).
Ongoing
Changes in Alcohol use during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact of the Lockdown Conditions and Mental Health Factors
Schmits, E. & Glowacz, F.
Short summary
Take home message
Half of the population change their drinking pattern, due to lockdown conditions and anxiodepressive symptoms.
Policy implications
To implement alcohol prevention strategies in the context of health crisis.
Psychological Distress among Students in Higher Education: One Year after the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Schmits, E., Dekeyser, S., Klein, O., Luminet, O., Yzerbyt, V., & Glowacz, F.
Short summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the psychological well-being of students. Several stressors (such as socioeconomic and education-related contexts) could influence mental health, as well as individual and relational dimensions. This study proposes to evaluate the predictive effect of these factors on anxiety and depressive symptoms among students in higher education one year after the beginning of the pandemic. A sample of 23,307 students (Mage = 20.89; SD = 1.96; 69.08% of women) was assessed through an online self-report questionnaire including adapted and validated measures. The main rates were as follows: 50.6% of students presented anxiety symptoms; 55.1% reported depressive symptoms; 20.8% manifested suicidal ideations; 42.4% saw their financial situation deteriorate; 39.1% felt they were dropping out of school. One year after the beginning of the pandemic, students in higher education are anxious and depressed, especially those who identify as women (for both anxiety and depression) and as a non-binary gender (only for anxiety), experience a deterioration in their financial situation, are dropping out of school, or manifest hostility (for both anxiety and depression). The degree of study affects the symptoms’ severity (Bachelor 2 and 3 for anxiety and Master for depression). Contact with family and friends (for both anxiety and depression) as well as regular physical activity (only for depression) should provide some protection against psychological distress. Policy-makers must make a long-term investment in the well-being and positive mental health of the student community
Take home message
It is now important to manage a proper exit from this health crisis and prepare for the complete resumption of student life. In particular, one needs to anticipate the risks of decompensation following such a long period of the psychological distress. This will require appropriate training and the availability of psychological and emotional support. Additional care will also be required for those students who proved unable to access help. It seems essential to mobilize, extend, implement and perpetuate in the long term, within the institutions themselves, services working for the well-being of students, reinforced coaching systems, and systematic recourse to available aid (thus promoting the destigmatization of young people in difficulty). Moreover, these support services must also be supervised and receive the appropriate resources to respond adequately to the specific needs of young people. Educational institutions must understand that they ought to make a long-term investment in the well-being and positive mental health of the student community.
Policy implications
A practical implication is that policy-makers could take advantage of these unique predictors and fine-tune their strategies accordingly to promote adherence. For instance, communication campaigns could boost positive attitudes toward social contact limitation by disseminating information that highlights the efficacy and key role of this health behavior to stop the spread of the virus. Likewise, handwashing might be bolstered by easing the application of the behavior and thus increasing the perceived behavioral control. An effective way to do so is via nudging techniques (Broers, et al., 2019a, 2019b), e.g., providing resources that facilitate the behavior such as soap or hand sanitizer at the entrance of public spaces.