Frontiers in psychology
-
Frontiers in psychology · Jan 2020
Caring for Coronavirus Healthcare Workers: Lessons Learned From Long-Term Monitoring of Military Peacekeepers.
The current outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is of unprecedented proportions in several regards. Recent reports suggest that many frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) suffer from mental health problems, including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Previous studies have identified several key factors associated with short-term PTSS in pandemic HCWs, yet limited data is available on factors associated with long-term PTSS. Understanding the psychological impact of the pandemic on HCWs is important in planning for future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases. In the current study, we look to findings from a highly relevant subsection of the trauma field, the military domain. ⋯ Several factors linked to short-term PTSS in pandemic HCWs were associated with long-term PTSS in peacekeepers. We discuss how these findings may be used to prevent long-term PTSS in HCWs involved in the current COVID-19 outbreak.
-
Frontiers in psychology · Jan 2020
Exploratory Analyses of Cerebral Gray Matter Volumes After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Good Outcome Survivors.
Survival rates of cardiac arrest have increased over recent years, however, survivors may still be left with significant morbidity and functional impairment. A primary concern in cardiac arrest survivors is the effect of prolonged hypoxia/ischemia on the brain. The objectives of the present study were threefold: (1) to explore the effect of cardiac arrest on brain gray matter volumes (GMV) in "good outcome" survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), (2) to examine the relationship between GMV, cognitive functioning and arrest factors, and (3) to explore whether OHCA patients differ from a group of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) uncomplicated by cardiac arrest and a group of healthy controls in terms of GMV. ⋯ Regional atrophy was observed in OHCA and MI survivors, compared to a healthy control group, suggesting a common mechanism, presumably preexisting cardiovascular disease. Although similar regional volume differences were observed between the MI and OHCA groups, the relationship between GMV and cognition was only observed in OHCA survivors. We suggest the acute hypoxia/ischemia ensuing from the arrest may interact with diminished neural reserve in select brain areas to expose occult cognitive dysfunction.
-
The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19, the ensuing pandemic, and the related containment measures pose considerable challenges to psychological resilience and well-being. Researchers are now forced to look for resources to cope with negative experiences linked to this health emergency. According to the salutogenic approach proposed by Antonovsky, the sense of coherence (SOC) is a major source of resilience. ⋯ Specifically, participants who knew at least one person diagnosed with COVID-19 showed lower levels of psychological well-being at low levels of SOC. The negative relation between participants' fear of contracting COVID-19 and psychological well-being was stronger for those who showed higher levels of SOC. This study discusses the implications of these results for interventions aimed at reducing the pandemic's detrimental effects and promoting resilience.
-
Frontiers in psychology · Jan 2020
Validation of the Japanese Version of the Burnout Assessment Tool.
The current study aimed to validate the Japanese version of the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT-J), a new burnout measure. We conducted an Internet survey to confirm the validity and reliability of the BAT-J, using registered monitors from a Japanese survey company. The first-wave survey was conducted in May 2018, with 1,032 monitors. ⋯ Finally, both BAT scales showed significant positive relationships with job demands and turnover intention. All validity results were in line with the job demands-resources model. The results of the current study provide the first evidence for the BAT-J's reliability and factorial and construct validity.
-
Frontiers in psychology · Jan 2020
Personality and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in Older Men and Women.
Personality has been related to health and mortality risk, which has created interest in the biological pathways that could explain this relationship. Although a dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been associated with health outcomes and aging, few studies have explored the association between personality and HPA axis functioning in older adults. In addition, it has been suggested that sex could moderate the relationship between personality and HPA axis functioning. ⋯ Openness and agreeableness were not related to the diurnal cortisol pattern. In conclusion, our results show that in older adults, neuroticism is a vulnerability factor for HPA axis dysregulation, with possible adverse effects on health. By contrast, conscientiousness, and extraversion only in women, appear to be protective factors of HPA axis functioning, with potential beneficial effects on health.