Rachael Neckels - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Uploads

Papers by Rachael Neckels

JMIR Mental Health, 2021

Background Accumulating evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the ... more Background Accumulating evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the mental health of individuals. However, the susceptibility of individuals to be impacted by the pandemic is variable, suggesting potential influences of specific factors related to participants’ demographics, attitudes, and practices. Objective We aimed to identify the factors associated with psychological symptoms related to the effects of the first wave of the pandemic in a multicountry cohort of internet users. Methods This study anonymously screened 13,332 internet users worldwide for acute psychological symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic from March 29 to April 14, 2020, during the first wave of the pandemic amidst strict lockdown conditions. A total of 12,817 responses were considered valid. Moreover, 1077 participants from Europe were screened a second time from May 15 to May 30, 2020, to ascertain the presence of psychological effects after the ease down of restrictions. Res...

Background: The emergence of Corona virus disease (COVID-19) and wide-spread counter-measures, su... more Background: The emergence of Corona virus disease (COVID-19) and wide-spread counter-measures, such as quarantine and social distancing, can have a significant impact on mental health of individuals. Methods: This online study anonymously screened 13,332 individuals worldwide for acute psychological symptoms related to Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from March 29th to April 14th, 2020. A total of n=12,817 responses were considered valid. n=1077 participants from Europe were screened a second time during May 15th to May 30th to longitudinally ascertain the persistence of psychological effects. Results: Female gender, pre-existing psychiatric condition, and prior exposure to trauma were identified as notable factors associated with increased acute psychological symptoms during COVID-19. The same factors, in addition to, being related to someone who demised due to COVID-19 and using social media more than usual predicted persistence of psychological disturbances. Optimis...

Swiss Medical Weekly, 2020

This study anonymously examined 2,734 psychiatric patients worldwide for worseningof their pre-ex... more This study anonymously examined 2,734 psychiatric patients worldwide for worseningof their pre-existing psychiatric condition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Validresponses mainly from 12 featured countries indicated self-reported worsening ofpsychiatric conditions in 2/3rd of the patients assessed that was validated through theirsignificantly higher scores on scales for general psychological disturbance, posttraumaticstress disorder, and depression. Female gender, feeling no control of thesituation and reporting dissatisfaction with the response of the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reduced interaction with family and friends increased the worseningof pre-existing psychiatric conditions, whereas optimism, ability to share concerns withfamily and friends and using social media like usual were associated with lessworsening. An independent clinical investigation from the USA confirmed worseningof psychiatric conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic based on identification of new...

This study anonymously screened 13,332 individuals worldwide for psychological symptoms related t... more This study anonymously screened 13,332 individuals worldwide for psychological symptoms related to Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from March 29th to April 14th, 2020. A total of n=12,817 responses were considered valid with responses from 12 featured countries and five WHO regions. Female gender, pre-existing psychiatric condition, and prior exposure to trauma were identified as notable risk factors, whereas optimism, ability to share concerns with family and friends like usual, positive prediction about COVID-19, and daily exercise predicted fewer psychological symptoms. These results could aid in dynamic optimization of mental health services during and following COVID-19 pandemic.

JMIR Mental Health, 2021

Background Accumulating evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the ... more Background Accumulating evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the mental health of individuals. However, the susceptibility of individuals to be impacted by the pandemic is variable, suggesting potential influences of specific factors related to participants’ demographics, attitudes, and practices. Objective We aimed to identify the factors associated with psychological symptoms related to the effects of the first wave of the pandemic in a multicountry cohort of internet users. Methods This study anonymously screened 13,332 internet users worldwide for acute psychological symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic from March 29 to April 14, 2020, during the first wave of the pandemic amidst strict lockdown conditions. A total of 12,817 responses were considered valid. Moreover, 1077 participants from Europe were screened a second time from May 15 to May 30, 2020, to ascertain the presence of psychological effects after the ease down of restrictions. Res...

Background: The emergence of Corona virus disease (COVID-19) and wide-spread counter-measures, su... more Background: The emergence of Corona virus disease (COVID-19) and wide-spread counter-measures, such as quarantine and social distancing, can have a significant impact on mental health of individuals. Methods: This online study anonymously screened 13,332 individuals worldwide for acute psychological symptoms related to Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from March 29th to April 14th, 2020. A total of n=12,817 responses were considered valid. n=1077 participants from Europe were screened a second time during May 15th to May 30th to longitudinally ascertain the persistence of psychological effects. Results: Female gender, pre-existing psychiatric condition, and prior exposure to trauma were identified as notable factors associated with increased acute psychological symptoms during COVID-19. The same factors, in addition to, being related to someone who demised due to COVID-19 and using social media more than usual predicted persistence of psychological disturbances. Optimis...

Swiss Medical Weekly, 2020

This study anonymously examined 2,734 psychiatric patients worldwide for worseningof their pre-ex... more This study anonymously examined 2,734 psychiatric patients worldwide for worseningof their pre-existing psychiatric condition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Validresponses mainly from 12 featured countries indicated self-reported worsening ofpsychiatric conditions in 2/3rd of the patients assessed that was validated through theirsignificantly higher scores on scales for general psychological disturbance, posttraumaticstress disorder, and depression. Female gender, feeling no control of thesituation and reporting dissatisfaction with the response of the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reduced interaction with family and friends increased the worseningof pre-existing psychiatric conditions, whereas optimism, ability to share concerns withfamily and friends and using social media like usual were associated with lessworsening. An independent clinical investigation from the USA confirmed worseningof psychiatric conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic based on identification of new...

This study anonymously screened 13,332 individuals worldwide for psychological symptoms related t... more This study anonymously screened 13,332 individuals worldwide for psychological symptoms related to Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from March 29th to April 14th, 2020. A total of n=12,817 responses were considered valid with responses from 12 featured countries and five WHO regions. Female gender, pre-existing psychiatric condition, and prior exposure to trauma were identified as notable risk factors, whereas optimism, ability to share concerns with family and friends like usual, positive prediction about COVID-19, and daily exercise predicted fewer psychological symptoms. These results could aid in dynamic optimization of mental health services during and following COVID-19 pandemic.