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a Worries about mental health or physical health or both (mental and physical health). The cross represents significant results, p < .05. b Perceived changes in health behaviour including weight, eating, sleeping, and physical activity. The cross represents significant results, p < .05
Source publication
Background
The WHO has raised concerns about the psychological consequences of the current COVID-19 pandemic, negatively affecting health across societies, cultures and age-groups.
Methods
This online survey study investigated mental health, subjective experience, and behaviour (health, learning/teaching) among university students studying in Egyp...
Citations
... COVID-19 increased psychological uncertainty, such as stress and the risks of psychological issues resulting from a sudden shift to online learning associated with computerized teaching methods and online interaction, which may not be tolerated mentally and physically. Computational models were designed based on psychological human behavior, such as cognitive, affective, and motivational state variables (Herbert et al., 2021). ...
COVID-19 is the worst disease caused by the coronavirus initially located in Wuhan, China in December 2019 as declared by WHO with a high transmission rate associated with serious illness. The sensitive situation of the COVID-19 educational systems shifted to online learning environments that negatively affected students’ psychological health. The prediction accuracy in diagnosis and non-infectious disease screening is improved using artificial intelligence algorithms based on clinical data for psychological symptoms with medical history of students and families. Using statistical models implemented for collecting data relevant to effects on factors relative to students such as disturbance in learning, loss of jobs, and obligations expansion for students. The analysis considers factors such as sleeping hours, social interaction, psychological state, and academic performance of students who have adopted online learning. Clustering analysis is adopted for factors affecting students in online learning platforms and data mining for data sets of students from college databases. The survey is performed with 75 teachers and 110 students connected with different online platforms for online learning and analyzing the psychological impact of implementing artificial intelligence algorithms. The novelty of the study lies in innovatively applying AI algorithms like MLP, ANN, and other different machine learning models to evaluate the psychological dimensions of online learning during COVID-19.
... Some authors, on the basis of already conducted research, postulate the creation of tools that would support students in the current situation and in the future, should further pandemics occur (e.g. Herbert, El Bolock & Abdennadher, 2021). Thus, the first ideas are emerging on how to support young people whose lifelines have collapsed as a result of a pandemic or forced mass isolation in the world. ...
In this article we present the results of a survey
among 556 Polish university students, conducted in the
summer of 2020 using an online CAWI survey
questionnaire method. We investigated whether the
students perceived that the transition to distance learning
during the pandemic period had changed their future
career prospects. The survey shows a distinct influence of
the university (and its support) and the course of study
on the students’ assessment of their career prospects. In
addition, the results of exploratory factor analysis,
multiple linear regression, and logistic regression indicate
that attractive and engaging distance learning bolsters the
students’ belief in their perceived value on the labor
market. Notably, the students perceived the pandemic as
an important structural factor that went beyond
individual biographies. The students’ assessment of how
the pandemic is changing the economy was an important
predictor of how they perceived their chances on the job
market.
... There are concerns and research evidence that the consequences of the pandemic could seriously impact students' life satisfaction. This is confirmed by the results of the research conducted by herbert et al. [26] during the first wave of the Physical activity and life satisfaction of students of physiotherapy and physical education at the close of the COVID-19 pandemic pandemic and lockdown in 2020. according to the authors, compared to the studies conducted before the pandemic, low levels of life satisfaction, depression and anxiety were significantly more evident. ...
Aim: To learn and compare their level of physical activity (PA) and motivation declared by physical education students and future physiotherapists, as well as to evaluate their life satisfaction in the final phase of the pandemic of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A survey study covered 211 respondents (106 students of physical education (PE) and 105 future physiotherapists). The anonymous survey consisted of standardized questions regarding the level and goals of physical activity (IPAQ-SF and IPAO) and life satisfaction (SWLS). Results: A high level of PA was demonstrated by 51.5% of men and 48.6% of women – 83.1% and 75.9% students of physiotherapy and physical education, respectively. Family was a determinant that did not motivate the students to take up physical activity. There was a better atmosphere in the professional environment encouraging physical activity in the group of PE students (3.19}1.28) than among future physiotherapists (2.82}1.28) (p<0.001). Future physiotherapists declared lower level of life satisfaction. In this group, the SWLS score was 23.5}5.95 compared to 25.4}5.45 among PE students. Conclusions: At the close of the COVID-19 pandemic, the specificity of PE and physiotherapy studies as well as gender are variables that had a significant impact on the resumption, type and motives for undertaking physical activity and improving life satisfaction. PE students’ perception of the importance of physical activity is more pronounced than that of future physiotherapists, which is a strong enough factor to increase their life satisfaction.
... Widespread anxiety about health has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with US adults showing an increased interest in weight gain and loss (Herbert et al., 2021), immunity (Jungmann & Witthöft, 2020) and cleansing or detoxing the body (Baker, 2022) since the pandemic's onset. The 'wellness' supplement market is a multi-billion dollar industry that offers commodity solutions to consumers' anxieties, selling a variety of products which claim to result in weight loss, increased energy, 'boosted' immunity and 'cleansing' of organs and body tissues. ...
Aim
Quantify disparities and identify correlates and predictors of ‘wellness’ supplement use among nurses during the first year of the pandemic.
Design
Longitudinal secondary analysis of Nurses' Health Studies 2 and 3 and Growing Up Today Study data.
Methods
Sample included 36,518 total participants, 12,044 of which were nurses, who completed surveys during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic (April 2020 to April 2021). Analyses were conducted in March 2023. Modified Poisson models were used to estimate disparities in ‘wellness’ supplement use between nurses and non‐healthcare workers and, among nurses only, to quantify associations with workplace‐related predictors (occupational discrimination, PPE access, workplace setting) and psychosocial predictors (depression/anxiety, county‐level COVID‐19 mortality). Models included race/ethnicity, gender identity, age and cohort as covariates.
Results
Nurses were significantly more likely to use all types of supplements than non‐healthcare workers. Lacking personal protective equipment and experiencing occupational discrimination were significantly associated with new immune supplement use. Depression increased the risk of using weight loss, energy and immune supplements.
Conclusion
Nurses' disproportionate use of ‘wellness’ supplements during the COVID‐19 pandemic may be related to workplace and psychosocial stressors. Given well‐documented risks of harm from the use of ‘wellness’ supplements, the use of these products by nurses is of concern.
Impact
‘Wellness’ supplements promoting weight loss, increased energy, boosted immunity and cleansing of organs are omnipresent in today's health‐focused culture, though their use has been associated with harm. This is of added concern among nurses given their risk of COVID‐19 infection at work. Our study highlighted the risk factors associated with use of these products (lacking PPE and experiencing occupational discrimination). Findings support prior research suggesting a need for greater public health policy and education around the use of ‘wellness’ supplements.
Reporting Method
STROBE guidelines were followed throughout manuscript.
Patient or Public Contribution
No patient or public contribution was involved.
... The Twenty-Statement Test (TST; Watkins et al., 1997) for example allows cross-cultural assessment of self-attitudes. In the TST participants are asked to answer the question "Who am I." A modified short version of the TST has recently been successfully used in a survey study in combination with machine learning methods to investigate changes in the self-concept and the mental state and academic performance among healthy adults (students) during the COVID-19 pandemic (Herbert et al., 2021). ...
Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) are well-known instances of how technology can convert a user’s brain activity taken from non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG) into computer commands for the purpose of computer-assisted communication and interaction. However, not all users are attaining the accuracy required to use a BCI consistently, despite advancements in technology. Accordingly, previous research suggests that human factors could be responsible for the variance in BCI performance among users. Therefore, the user’s internal mental states and traits including motivation, affect or cognition, personality traits, or the user’s satisfaction, beliefs or trust in the technology have been investigated. Going a step further, this manuscript aims to discuss which human factors could be potential superordinate factors that influence BCI performance, implicitly, explicitly as well as inter- and intraindividually. Based on the results of previous studies that used comparable protocols to examine the motivational, affective, cognitive state or personality traits of healthy and vulnerable EEG-BCI users within and across well-investigated BCIs (P300-BCIs or SMR-BCIs, respectively), it is proposed that the self-relevance of tasks and stimuli and the user’s self-concept provide a huge potential for BCI applications. As potential key human factors self-relevance and the user’s self-concept (self-referential knowledge and beliefs about one’s self) guide information processing and modulate the user’s motivation, attention, or feelings of ownership, agency, and autonomy. Changes in the self-relevance of tasks and stimuli as well as self-referential processing related to one’s self (self-concept) trigger changes in neurophysiological activity in specific brain networks relevant to BCI. Accordingly, concrete examples will be provided to discuss how past and future research could incorporate self-relevance and the user’s self-concept in the BCI setting – including paradigms, user instructions, and training sessions.
... The end of 2019 saw the onset of the novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) epidemic which subsequently spread globally and changed people's lives in many ways (Herbert et al., 2021). To control the scale of transmission, the Chinese government advised all residents, especially school students, to maintain a physical distance from other people (Wang et al., 2020). ...
The aim of this study is to investigate the dynamic relationship between Chinese students’ emotions and stress during a strict lockdown period in a university setting and the context of a global pandemic. Dynamic structural equation modeling was used to investigate the moderating role of resilience and loneliness in this relationship. The participants consisted of 112 students. Based on loneliness and resilience measures and the intensive tracking of emotional stress over a 21-day period, the results of data analysis indicated that the students’ overall levels of positive emotions were low and relatively independent of negative emotions. Negative emotions were significantly autoregressive and their baseline was closely related to the individual’s overall feelings of stress and loneliness levels, fluctuating with feelings of stress. The results confirm the hypothesis that resilience helps to stabilize emotions. Individuals with low resilience may be more emotionally sensitive in confined environments, while receiving social support may help to alleviate low moods.
... Clinical samples from cross-sectional research looking at the effects of COVID-19 lockout on mental health outcomes revealed that some symptoms rose while others reduced or stayed largely stable [12]. Similarly, Herbert et al. performed an online survey with students from Egypt and Germany to conduct psychological circumstances, individual perspectives, and behavior using machine learning approaches that aided in predicting the students' personalities [13]. According to a recently released study in a diverse clinical population, 77% of children's emotional and behavioral responses during a six-week lockout were rated by parents, and machine learning techniques were used to predict mood states managed to transform their mood throughout the lockdown from a negative one to one that was stable. ...
Amidst the pervasive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, student mental health stands as a paramount public health concern. This vulnerability is exacerbated by the hectic lifestyles of students, rendering them particularly susceptible to the implications of social distancing measures. The primary objective of this research is to assess the self-reported levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among Serbian students. This evaluation encompasses a comprehensive examination of demographic traits, living and learning environments, students' activities during the epidemic, potential exposure to the coronavirus, and overall mental and physical health. The core aim of this article is to prognosticate the mental health of students under the unprecedented circumstances posed by the pandemic. Leveraging the power of PandemicPulse, this SVM-enhanced forecasting model, this research meticulously analyzes a dataset obtained from a dedicated student mental health survey website. The application of appropriate classifiers allows us to draw meaningful insights and predictions regarding mental health outcomes. In this discourse, this study unveils a multifaceted approach, employing multiple classifier strategies to ensure the highest accuracy in forecasting student mental health. This research endeavors to harmonize understanding, utilizing Pandemic Pulse as a guiding rhythm to navigate the complex landscape of student well-being during these challenging times.
... 59.8% of the college students closer to graduating showed depression in the US. An increase in depressive symptoms from 21.5 to 31.7% was found in first-year college students in North California [87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94]. Considerable differences in the severity of depression were also seen among students. ...
The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted and infiltrated every aspect of our lives. Successive lockdowns, social distancing measures, and reduction in economic activity have developed a new way of living and, in many cases, tend to lead to depression. The initial strict lockdown for about 3 months and eventually for a few more months has imposed greater challenges on children and adolescents in terms of psychological problems and psychiatric disorders. Regardless of their viral infection status, many people have been affected by the psychosocial changes associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. In the present review, we have attempted to evaluate the impact of COVID on the mental health of people from different age groups and occupations. The present review has highlighted the need for taking effective measures by the stakeholder to cope with depression among human population groups worldwide.
... As depicted in Fig. 1, fear was the prevailing emotional response during the initial stage of the outbreak in January. This reaction is not surprising, as scientific research has established that fear, stress, and anxiety are the most common emotions experienced by the public during the initial phase of a pandemic (Herbert et al., 2021). HQSB's extensive coverage of Covid-19, which highlights expressions of fear towards China and its containment measures from actors in France, the United States, Australia, Iran, and among Chinese citizens themselves, demonstrates the significant role China plays in the global landscape of fear. ...
This study investigates the emotional management strategies employed by the Chinese maintream media Huanqiu Shibao (HQSB), through the use of nationalistic rhetoric during the Covid-19 pandemic. By conducting a discourse analysis of the coverage of Covid-19 on HQSB’s WeChat account, this research reveals two primary emotional management strategies: defensive nationalism and aggressive nationalism. Defensive nationalism utilizes fear and positive emotions to uphold and defend Chinese politics, while aggressive nationalism employs disgust to counter external criticisms and delegitimize the US democratic system and international leadership. By examining how HQSB emotionally differentiates the world, the study unveils that tactics Chinese mainstream media use to construct national identity, drawing a divisive line between a despised ‘them’ and an innocent ‘us’. The Covid-19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to reflect on the emotionalisation of Chinese digital propaganda and the evolution of state-led nationalism during a public health crisis. The research concludes that the use of emotion in HQSB’s Covid-19 coverage aligns with China’s broader strategy of nation-building and global influence promotion. It underscores the need for greater awareness of the emotional mobilization used in political communication, particularly during times of crisis.
... The World Health Organization (2017) shows that suicide is the second leading cause of death in the group aged 15-29 years, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (2020) revealed suicide (19.5%) as the leading cause of death among 15-24-year-old Taiwanese. Also, the survey provided a vital highlight that 51.82% of students were significantly above the screening cut-off score for risk of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic and 65.5% reported that worry about their mental health more than before (Herbert et al., 2021). Although many schools provided depressive symptomsrelated counselling activities and suicide-prevention policies, the suicide rate still ranks second, and the prevalence of depression did not decline. ...
Aim
To evaluate the effects of mobile applications (apps) on college students with depressive symptoms.
Design
Depression among college students is a school health issue, although little is known regarding effective app‐based interventions for managing depressive symptoms. This review follows the concept of (1) theoretical guidance framework on app design, (2) app‐based intervention study design and (3) effect of app‐based interventions.
Data Sources
Cochrane Library, CINAHL Plus with Full Text and PubMed were searched in October 2022.
Methods
English‐language reports of app‐based interventions for college students with depressive symptoms. Quality appraisal and data extraction of selected articles was conducted by two independent reviewers using the mixed methods appraisal tool. Data synthesis using core outcome and findings of intervention.
Results
Five studies have shown that depressive symptoms significantly decreased after app use, specifically indicating the effects that occur in 4 weeks. Although four studies have applied the theoretical framework to the app design, the findings showed the low implementation of the intervention activities as originally designed and at the specified dosage and difficulty in understanding the processes through which the intervention resolves the depressive symptoms.
Conclusion
App‐based intervention can decrease depressive symptoms; furthermore, 4 weeks was the time point at which the changes were expected to occur. However, the theory‐based app design for the depression population was rarely related, and studies clearly explaining the intervention measures, intervention dosage and duration required to achieve effectiveness are needed.
Impact
This study provides the synthesis of evidence‐based app interventions to manage depressive symptoms to zoom in on different views and we suggest using the applications for at least 4 weeks before changes are expected to occur.
Patient or Public Contribution
No patient or public involvement in this study.
