scholarly journals 1359Changes in work and health of Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Griffiths ◽  
Luke Sheehan ◽  
Caryn van Vreden ◽  
Dennis Petrie ◽  
Peter Whiteford ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Following pandemic-related work loss, some people could return to work as restrictions eased, whilst localised lockdowns resulted in further loss of work. The long-term health effects of work loss within the pandemic remain unexplored, in addition to whether any health effects are persistent upon returning to work. Methods A prospective longitudinal cohort study of 2603 Australians monitored changes in health and work across four surveys during March-December 2020. Outcomes described psychological distress, and mental and physical health. Linear mixed regression models examined associations between changes in health and experiences of work loss, and return to work, over time. Results Losing work during the early pandemic stages was associated with long-term poorer mental health, which began to recover over time. Physical health deteriorated over time, greater for people not working at baseline. Being out of work was associated with poorer mental health, but better physical health. These effects were larger for people that had recently lost work than for people with sustained work loss, and retaining employment played a protective role. Conclusions Work cessation during the pandemic led to poor health outcomes and had long-lasting effects. Returning to work benefits mental health but may reduce physical activity in the short-term. We encourage the provision of accessible mental health supports immediately following loss of work, and for people with prolonged work loss. Key messages Remaining employed whilst not working partly ameliorates negative mental health impacts. Those experiencing persistent work loss, and the newly out-of-work, are most vulnerable to ill mental health.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea Jones ◽  
Lorraine Smith-MacDonald ◽  
Ashley Pike ◽  
Katherine S. Bright ◽  
Suzette Bremault-Phillips

BACKGROUND The demands and stressful nature of police work, unpredictability of the calls, and exposure to traumatic events in the line of duty can contribute to the development of operational stress injuries (OSIs) in Public Safety Personnel (PSP). Those impacted by work-related injuries can find themselves needing both time off work and support reintegrating back into the workforce. Work reintegration programs have been introduced in PSP organizations to support those who aim to return-to-work. One such peer-led workplace reintegration program (RP) was created in 2009 by members of the Edmonton Police Service (EPS). The primary goal of the EPSRP is to assist PSP return to work as soon as possible following a critical incident, illness, or injury, while diminishing the potential for long-term psychological injury. The EPSRP is delivered by peers through three interrelated components: 1) Reintegration Program Facilitator Training (RPFT) Program; 2) a short-term Critical Incident RP; and 3) a long-term RP. There is a dire need for research that incorporate strong study designs to determine long-term effectiveness of these components. The purpose of this quasi-experimental pre/post pilot cohort study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the EPS RPFT course at influencing mental health knowledge and attitudes of RPFT attendees. OBJECTIVE This pre/post cohort study collected data via two questionnaires from RPFT participants (N=60). METHODS This pre/post cohort study collected data via two questionnaires from RPFT participants (N=60). Descriptive, parametric, and non-parametric statistics were utilized to compare pre and post RPFT results as well as analyzing results by gender and profession. RESULTS Statistically significant changes were observed in pre/post questionnaire scores in the domains of mental health attitudes and knowledge. CONCLUSIONS The RPFT may facilitate positive changes in mental health attitudes, knowledge, and stigma among PSP.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Griffiths ◽  
Luke Sheehan ◽  
Caryn Van Vreden ◽  
Dennis Petrie ◽  
Genevieve Grant ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine if losing work during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with mental and physical health. To determine if social interactions and financial resources moderate the relationship between work loss and health. Design: Baseline data from a prospective longitudinal cohort study. Setting: Australia, 27th March to 12th June 2020. Participants: Australians aged 18+ years, employed in a paid job prior to the COVID-19 pandemic who responded to an online or telephone survey. Main Outcome Measures: Kessler-6 score > 18 indicating high psychological distress. Short Form 12 (SF-12) mental health or physical health component score <= 45 indicating poor mental or physical health. Results: 2,603 respondents including groups who had lost their job (N=541), were not working but remained employed (N=613), were working less (N=789) and whose work was unaffected (N=789). Three groups experiencing work loss had greater odds of high psychological distress (AOR=2.22-3.66), poor mental (AOR=1.78-2.27) and physical health (AOR=2.10-2.12) than the unaffected work group. Poor mental health was more common than poor physical health. The odds of high psychological distress (AOR=5.43-8.36), poor mental (AOR=1.92-4.53) and physical health (AOR=1.93-3.90) were increased in those reporting fewer social interactions or less financial resources. Conclusion: Losing work during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with mental and physical health problems, and this relationship is moderated by social interactions and financial resources. Responses that increase financial security and enhance social connections may partially alleviate the health impacts of work loss.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e045067
Author(s):  
Fatumo Osman ◽  
Linda Vixner ◽  
Renee Flacking ◽  
Marie Klingberg-Allvin ◽  
Ulla-Karin Schön ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the long-term impact (3-year follow-up) of a culturally tailored parenting support programme (Ladnaan) on the mental health of Somali-born parents and their children living in Sweden.MethodsIn this longitudinal cohort study, Somali-born parents with children aged 11–16 were followed up 3 years after they had participated in the Ladnaan intervention. The Ladnaan intervention comprises two main components: societal information and the Connect parenting programme delivered using a culturally sensitive approach. It consists of 12 weekly group-based sessions each lasting 1–2 hours. The primary outcome was improved mental health in children, as measured by the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). The secondary outcome was improved mental health in parents, as measured by the General Health Questionnaire-12. Data were collected from the parent’s perspective.ResultsOf the 60 parents who were originally offered the intervention, 51 were included in this long-term follow-up. The one-way repeated measures (baseline to the 3-year follow-up) analysis of variance for the CBCL confirmed maintenance of all the treatment gains for children: total problem scores (95% CI 11.49 to 18.00, d=1.57), and externalising problems (95% CI 2.48 to 5.83, d=0.86). Similar results were observed for the parents’ mental health (95% CI 0.40 to 3.11, d=0.46).ConclusionPositive changes in the mental health of Somali-born parents and their children were maintained 3 years after they had participated in a parenting support programme that was culturally tailored and specifically designed to address their needs. Our findings highlight the long-term potential benefits of these programmes in tackling mental health issues in immigrant families.Trial registration numberNCT02114593.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kosuke Honda ◽  
Satoru Kuriyama ◽  
Kimiyoshi Ichida ◽  
Tomoko Nakano ◽  
Naoki Sugano ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) acts on glucose and protein metabolism and human growth and also influences blood pressure and renal function. This study investigated whether the single-nucleotide polymorphism of IGF-1, rs35767, plays a role in metabolic syndrome indicators, including blood pressure, glucose metabolism, uric acid levels, and renal function. Methods In this retrospective longitudinal cohort study, blood samples from 1506 Japanese individuals were collected and used for genotyping for variant rs35767: T > C in the IGF-1 upstream promoter. Data were analyzed to identify associations between IGF-1 genotypes and patient biochemical parameters, including the components of metabolic syndrome and the long-term change in renal function. Results The cohort rs35767 genotypes included 650 CC carriers (43.2%), 687 TC carriers (45.6%), and 169 TT carriers (11.2%). Multiple regression analysis revealed no association between IGF-1 genotype and blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin level, and serum uric acid level. However, in females, blood pressure was negatively correlated with the TT genotype. Longitudinal observation revealed that the decline in eGFR over 10 years was greater in TT (− 18.51 ± 1.04 mL/min/1.73m2) than in CC carriers (− 16.38 ± 0.52 mL/min/1.73m2; P < 0.05). Conclusion The present study suggests that renal function declines faster in individuals with the TT genotype at the IGF-1 rs35767 locus than in those with the CC genotype, suggesting that the TT genotype is associated with the long-term chronological decline in renal function.


2021 ◽  
pp. archdischild-2020-320655
Author(s):  
Lorna K Fraser ◽  
Fliss EM Murtagh ◽  
Jan Aldridge ◽  
Trevor Sheldon ◽  
Simon Gilbody ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThis study aimed to quantify the incidence rates of common mental and physical health conditions in mothers of children with a life-limiting condition.MethodsComparative national longitudinal cohort study using linked primary and secondary care data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink in England. Maternal–child dyads were identified in these data. Maternal physical and mental health outcomes were identified in the primary and secondary care datasets using previously developed diagnostic coding frameworks. Incidence rates of the outcomes were modelled using Poisson regression, adjusting for deprivation, ethnicity and age and accounting for time at risk.ResultsA total of 35 683 mothers; 8950 had a child with a life-limiting condition, 8868 had a child with a chronic condition and 17 865 had a child with no long-term condition.The adjusted incidence rates of all of the physical and mental health conditions were significantly higher in the mothers of children with a life-limiting condition when compared with those mothers with a child with no long-term condition (eg, depression: incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.21, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.30; cardiovascular disease: IRR 1.73, 95% CI 1.27 to 2.36; death in mothers: IRR 1.59, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.18).ConclusionThis study clearly demonstrates the higher incidence rates of common and serious physical and mental health problems and death in mothers of children with a life-limiting condition. Further research is required to understand how best to support these mothers, but healthcare providers should consider how they can target this population to provide preventative and treatment services.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e038471
Author(s):  
Rachel M Taylor ◽  
Lorna A Fern ◽  
Julie Barber ◽  
Javier Alvarez-Galvez ◽  
Richard Feltbower ◽  
...  

ObjectivesIn England, healthcare policy advocates specialised age-appropriate services for teenagers and young adults (TYA), those aged 13 to 24 years at diagnosis. Specialist Principal Treatment Centres (PTC) provide enhanced TYA age-specific care, although many still receive care in adult or children’s cancer services. We present the first prospective structured analysis of quality of life (QOL) associated with the amount of care received in a TYA-PTCDesignLongitudinal cohort study.SettingHospitals delivering inpatient cancer care in England.Participants1114 young people aged 13 to 24 years newly diagnosed with cancer.InterventionExposure to the TYA-PTC defined as patients receiving NO-TYA-PTC care with those receiving ALL-TYA-PTC and SOME-TYA-PTC care.Primary outcomeQuality of life measured at five time points: 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months after diagnosis.ResultsGroup mean total QOL improved over time for all patients, but for those receiving NO-TYA-PTC was an average of 5.63 points higher (95% CI 2.77 to 8.49) than in young people receiving SOME-TYA-PTC care, and 4·17 points higher (95% CI 1.07 to 7.28) compared with ALL-TYA-PTC care. Differences were greatest 6 months after diagnosis, reduced over time and did not meet the 8-point level that is proposed to be clinically significant. Young people receiving NO-TYA-PTC care were more likely to have been offered a choice of place of care, be older, from more deprived areas, in work and have less severe disease. However, analyses adjusting for confounding factors did not explain the differences between TYA groups.ConclusionsReceipt of some or all care in a TYA-PTC was associated with lower QOL shortly after cancer diagnosis. The NO-TYA-PTC group had higher QOL 3 years after diagnosis, however those receiving all or some care in a TYA-PTC experienced more rapid QOL improvements. Receipt of some care in a TYA-PTC requires further study.


2021 ◽  
pp. 135581962199749
Author(s):  
Veronica Toffolutti ◽  
David Stuckler ◽  
Martin McKee ◽  
Ineke Wolsey ◽  
Judith Chapman ◽  
...  

Objective Patients with a combination of long-term physical health problems can face barriers in obtaining appropriate treatment for co-existing mental health problems. This paper evaluates the impact of integrating the improving access to psychological therapies services (IAPT) model with services addressing physical health problems. We ask whether such services can reduce secondary health care utilization costs and improve the employment prospects of those so affected. Methods We used a stepped-wedge design of two cohorts of a total of 1,096 patients with depression and/or anxiety and comorbid long-term physical health conditions from three counties within the Thames Valley from March to August 2017. Panels were balanced. Difference-in-difference models were employed in an intention-to-treat analysis. Results The new Integrated-IAPT was associated with a decrease of 6.15 (95% CI: −6.84 to −5.45) [4.83 (95% CI: −5.47 to −4.19]) points in the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [generalized anxiety disorder-7] and £360 (95% CI: –£559 to –£162) in terms of secondary health care utilization costs per person in the first three months of treatment. The Integrated-IAPT was also associated with an 8.44% (95% CI: 1.93% to 14.9%) increased probability that those who were unemployed transitioned to employment. Conclusions Mental health treatment in care model with Integrated-IAPT seems to have significantly reduced secondary health care utilization costs among persons with long-term physical health conditions and increased their probability of employment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Zingmark ◽  
Fredrik Norström

Abstract Background Knowledge is scarce on how needs for home help and special housing evolve among older people who begin to receive support from municipal social care. The purpose of this study was to describe baseline distributions and transitions over time between levels of dependency among older persons after being granted social care in a Swedish municipality. Methods Based on a longitudinal cohort study in a Swedish municipality, data was collected retrospectively from municipal records. All persons 65 years or older who received their first decision on social care during 2010 (n = 415) were categorized as being in mild, moderate, severe, or total dependency, and were observed until the end of 2013. Baseline distributions and transitions over time were described descriptively and analysed with survival analysis, with the Kaplan-Meier estimator, over the entire follow-up period. To test potential differences in relation to gender, we used the Cox-Proportional hazards model. Results Baseline distributions between mild, moderate, severe, and total dependency were 53, 16, 24, and 7.7%. During the first year, between 40 and 63% remained at their initial level of dependency. Among those with mild and moderate levels of dependency at baseline, a large proportion declined towards increasing levels of dependency over time; around 40% had increased their dependency level 1 year from baseline and at the end of the follow-up, 75% had increased their dependency level or died. Conclusions Older people in Sweden being allocated home help are at high risk for decline towards higher levels of dependency, especially those at mild or moderate dependency levels at baseline. Taken together, it is important that municipalities make use of existing knowledge so that they implement cost-effective preventative interventions for older people at an early stage before a decline toward increasing levels of dependency.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S50-S50
Author(s):  
W. Cahn ◽  

ObjectiveGenetic risk and outcome of psychoses (GROUP) is a 6 year longitudinal cohort study that focus on gene–environment vulnerability and resilience in patients with psychotic disorders, their unaffected family members and non-related controls. Its main aim is to elucidate etiological and pathogenetic factors that influence the onset and course of psychotic disorders. In this substudy, we will examine medication use over time, its relation with (the change in) metabolic syndrome status and effects on the brain.MethodsA consortium of four university psychiatric centers and their affiliated mental health care institutions, conducted the GROUP study. At baseline, 1120 patients, 1057 siblings, 919 parents and 590 healthy controls were included. After inclusion, participants, except parents, were evaluated again after three and six years of follow-up. Extensive assessment of genetic factors, environmental factors, medication use, metabolic parameters and outcome were performed. Moreover, brain imaging was performed in a subset of participants, using a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner.ResultsAt baseline 65% of patients used atypical antipsychotics, 16% used conventional antipsychotics and 19% used clozapine. Siblings and controls used no antipsychotics. Forty-three percent of patients, 21.3% of siblings and 9.1% of controls used antidepressants; 43.9% of patients, 2.1% of siblings and none of the controls used a mood stabilizer. We are currently analyzing the medication data over time in relation to (change in) metabolic syndrome status and the effects on the brain.ConclusionGROUP is a longitudinal cohort study in patients with psychotic disorders, their healthy siblings and controls without psychosis. This naturalistic substudy examines medication use, its association with (change of) metabolic status and effects on the brain in subjects with (high risk of) psychosis.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


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