Research Activity #6

Analysis:

From this mini literature review, I realized that as I was beginning to piece together my research paper, it would be more difficult than I thought to gather ten reliable and accurate sources. Just from this research activity, I knew that the literature review would be the hardest to write, apart from the conclusion.

Revisions:

The long lit. review was split up into multiple paragraphs, to not make it so "heavy" on words, and make it look less intimidating to the reader. Also, pictures were added to "spice" up the document.

Literature Review

There is definitely more room for study, especially since it is only this year that the world entered into a global pandemic. There is an urgent need for the discovery, evaluation, and refinement of mechanistically driven interventions to address the psychological, social, and neuroscientific aspects of this pandemic (Holmes et al., 2020). While the issue of mental health awareness is a well-known and studied matter, the discussion of a pandemic effect on mental health entails a much needed deliberation and further research.

The proliferation of fear and mental health problems arising amidst the pandemic is understandable and most likely, however further speculation and research is needed in this area to take more preventative measures (Ho et al., 2020). This literature review will discuss various studies on aspects of mental health in regards to the coronavirus and how deep of an impact it has had on everyone.

Prevalence of Stress Among the Population

Holmes et al. (2020) proposed to explore the psychological, social, and neuroscientific effects of COVID-19 and presented some priorities and strategies for mental health science research. Holmes et al. (2020) argue that there is an urgent need for research on how to address the mental health consequences for vulnerable groups under pandemic conditions (para.1). For

those grieving from the losses of loved ones from the outbreak, “the inability to gain closure can result in anger and resentment” (Holmes et al., 2020). Compared to Holmes et al. (2020), Ho et al. (2020) argues that a high prevalence of psychological distress with a longer duration of quarantine correlated with an “increased prevalence” (p. 2) of PTSD with depressive symptoms (Ho et al. 2020). Tying this in all together, the pandemic has had a significant impact on public mental health.

Further, neither Holmes et al. (2020) or Ho et al. (2020) considered the pre-existing studies in relation to the familiarity of the common mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Meanwhile, Salari et al. (2020) analyzes the existing research works and findings “in relation to the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic (Salari et al., 2020, para. 1). In the next section, the groups of individuals who are more vulnerable to succumb to issues dealing with mental health due to this pandemic, will be discussed.

Groups That are Most Vulnerable to Mental Illness

Holmes et al. (2020) took a different approach and surveyed the general public and people who have a living experience with mental-ill health. Their general population survey “done by Ipsos MORI” (para. 5), disclosed that there are widespread concerns about the effect of social isolation and social distancing on wellbeing, especially regarding “increased anxiety, depression, stress, and other negative feelings; and concern about the practical implications of the pandemic response, including financial difficulties” (para. 5). Groups in society that are most vulnerable to the crippling effect of the pandemic on their mental health are those who are already dealing with pre-existing conditions. Salari et al. (2020) states that individuals in the age group of 21-40 years old have significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress because “they are most concerned over the future consequences and economic challenges caused by the pandemic as they are key working forces and most affected by business closures” (para. 24).

Receiving stay-at-home orders to self isolate and have no contact with their friends, colleagues, and families can be detrimental to their mental health- more than ever before. According to Holmes et al. (2020), the potential fallout of an economic downfall is most likely to be overwhelming on those directly affected. Inevitably, financially unstable families and individuals can suffer greatly now with the increased unemployment, financial insecurity and poverty (Holmes et al. 2020). Pfefferbaum & North (2020), take a look at specific groups of individuals that may be more vulnerable than others to the psychosocial effects of this pandemic. In particular, “people who contract the disease, those at a heightened risk for it, people with preexisting medical, psychiatric, or substance abuse problems are at increased risk for adverse psychosocial outcomes” (Pfefferbaum & North, 2020, para. 4).

Granted, individuals at home and non-healthcare workers do in fact experience a great deal of emotional stress that impacts their mental health, however health care providers are at the epicenter of the virus and that itself can impact their mental health. According to Pfefferbaum & North (2020), health care providers are essential workers, which given their risk of exposure to the virus, concern about infecting and caring for their loved ones, shortages of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), longer work hours, and involvement in emotionally and ethically “fraught resource-allocation decisions” (para. 4).

It is important that prevention efforts are taken such as screening for mental health problems, and much needed psychoeducation and psychosocial support should focus on these and of course, other groups at risk for psychosocial outcomes. In the next section, the positive alternative communication methods for news and information during this pandemic will be discussed.