Practical Research 1
RES01
Working Outline
Group number: 8
Group members:
Corro, Carl David C.
Daluping, Sebastian Aragorn Xavier
Oca, Daniel Xandro B.
Narvaez, Marc Jefferson A.
Topic:
Technology and its implications on mental health to help ease the mental hurdles caused
by the COVID – 19 Pandemic.
Working Title:
Technology and its implications in Mental Health amidst the COVID - 19 pandemic
Focused Variables:
Independent Variable:
The implications of technology on mental health during the COVID – 19
Pandemic.
Dependent Variable:
The effectiveness of the implications of technology as a method to help ease the
mental hurdles caused by the COVID – 19 Pandemic.
Outline:
Introduction
a) Purpose: To investigate technology’s implications on mental health during thez
COVID-19 Pandemic.
b) Thesis statement: Technology offers a wide array of methods in helping those who
suffer from mental hurdles during the COVID - 19 Pandemic.
Background Information
i.
The impact of the COVID – 19 Pandemic on the mental health of the general
populous and the numerous factors around its impact.
a) Gao et al., (2020); Moghanibashi-Mansourieh, (2020) identified frequent media
exposure surrounding The COVID – 19 Pandemic as a cause of anxiety and stress
symptoms. It was also reported that poor economic status, lower educational
attainment, and unemployment were significant risk factors for developing symptoms
of different mental disorders, especially mental disorders linked with depressive
symptoms.
b) Based on the studies of Xiong, J., Lipsitz, O., Nasri, F., et al. (2020) Psychological
distress among the general populous had a higher prevalence during The COVID – 19
Pandemic compared to the prevalence of psychological distress before The COVID –
19 Pandemic.
c) Based on the studies of Ahmed et al., (2020); Gao et al., (2020); Lei et al., (2020)
Females were more susceptible to develop various forms of mental disorders during
The COVID – 19 Pandemic, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and stress because
females make up a higher percentage of the work force that may be negatively affected
by The COVID – 19 Pandemic.
d) According to the study of Xiong et al., (2020) significant levels of psychological
distress
that would require clinical aid is associated with The COVID – 19
Pandemic.
ii.
The Psychological Impact of Quarantine to the Employees and Different Sectors.
a) Based on the studies of YaMei Bai, M.D., Chao-Cheng Lin, M.D., Chih-Yuan
Lin, M.D., Jen-Yeu Chen, M.D., Ching-Mo Chue, M.D., and Pesus Chou, Ph.D.
(2004) Health care workers were defined as the doctors, physician assistants, and
nursing staff members who had direct contact with patients every day, whereas all
other staff members—including accountants and sanitary teams—were defined as
administrative personnel. Seventeen staff members (5 percent) met the criteria for
an acute stress disorder, stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis determined
that quarantine was the most related factor. Sixty-six staff members (20 percent)
reported feeling stigmatized and rejected in their neighborhood because of their
hospital work, and 52 staff members (15 percent) did not to go home after work
during the outbreak for fear of infecting their family. In contrast to administrative
personnel, health care workers reported experiencing significantly more insomnia,
exhaustion, and uncertainty about the frequent modifications to infection control
procedures. Twenty health care workers (9 percent) reported that they were
reluctant to work during the outbreak or had considered resignation.
b) Based on the studies Hyunsuk Jeong, Hyeon Woo Yim, Yeong-Jun Song, Moran
Ki, Jung-Ah Min, Juhee Cho, Jeong-Ho Chae (2016) Among 1,656, anxiety
symptoms showed 7.6% and feelings of anger were present in 16.6% during the
isolation period. At four to six months after release from isolation, anxiety
symptoms were observed in 3.0%. Feelings of anger were present in 6.4%. Risk
factors for experiencing anxiety symptoms and anger at four to six months after
release included symptoms related to MERS during isolation, inadequate supplies
(food, clothes, accommodation), social networking activities (email, text,
Internet), history of psychiatric illnesses, and monetary loss.
iii.
Initial Public Health Response for Elderly Populations
a) According to the study of Patel and Clark-Ginsberg (2020), the response of the
elderly may have created a decrease in resilience and an increase of social isolation
and loneliness among elderly population.
b) Based on the study of Gerst-Emerson and Jayawardhana (2015), loneliness has
been a known severe public health concern among this vulnerable population prior
to the pandemic, also affecting their use of health care resources
iv.
Possibilities to Affect the Mental Health of the Elderly in the COVID 19 Pandemic
a) According to the study of Rico-Uribe et al. (2018), the impacts of physical
distancing measures on loneliness must be factored into the equation in the public
health response.
b) The elderly is also particularly vulnerable for other factors that could increase
loneliness, such as 47.5% of those above 75 years live with at least one disability
in USA based on the U.S. Census Bureau (2018a) and only 28.2% of people above
65 years have a bachelor’s degree or higher according to the U.S. Census Bureau
(2018b).
c) Based on the studies of Ritchie et al. (2020), The older population is also at an
elevated risk of contracting COVID-19 and progressing to a life-threatening state.
d) According to the study of Berg-Weger and Morley (2020), Loneliness, already at
epidemic proportions among the older adult population globally.
e) According to the study of Clark-Ginsberg and Patel (2020), There are multiple
causes of loneliness, diverse types of loneliness and diverse factors that affect
loneliness, such as economic status, living arrangements, familial ties,
accompanying health conditions and surrounding infrastructure. Interventions
aimed at mitigating loneliness should take into consideration these variables,
including during times of physical distancing, especially if using disaster risk
reduction interventions.
Body
i.
Video games as a coping mechanism to keep people mentally healthy during the
pandemic.
a) For people seeking an escape from reality, video games can serve as your
alternate world. It is a distraction from the outside world, it would allow you to be
free from stress. It could also be a way to ease your frustrations whether it is
regarding the pandemic, or daily life problems.
b) Video games, specifically online games, are designed so you can interact with other
players by interacting with each other physically, this could be used as a device to
hang out with friends, and family, so you would not feel socially isolated.
c) Gaming can also be considered as a coping strategy, Due to the nature of video
games being a distraction from everyday life, people with actual mental health
disorders play video games to overcome anxiety, depression, and even PTSD.
ii.
Psychology behind video games during the COVID-19 pandemic.
a) Video games can satisfy psychological needs. According to a research found by
Bullen and Chen (2020) video games give players a sense of freedom to be able to
make choices and provide a narrative based on the tasks you complete. In
addition, they further discussed that players could feel rewarded after finishing
designed tasks given to them. Furthermore, these players can also get a sense of
progress and achievability whenever they are playing a game.
b) Video games can offer a sense of connection with friends or with a stranger online.
Bullen and Chen (2020) stated that video games offer a sense of connection by
either playing with a friend or with a stranger online. They added that gamers can
also feel a connection towards a virtual character and based on their situation can
motivate the player to help the character achieve its goals and tasks which can make
the player feel a sense of competence.
c) Video games can develop negative behavior from an individual. According to
Bullen and Chen (2020) a gaming disorder was included in the 11th revision of the
International Classification of Diseases (11-ICD) in 2018. Its symptoms include
loss of control over a video game and having gaming as a higher priority than other
daily activities, as time passes, this behavior will escalate despite its negative
consequences. Thus, playing video games can develop a negative behavior.
d) Video games can be addicting and make individuals skip daily necessities. Bullen
and Chen (2020) state that for adult video game players, there is no universal
standard for “too much” and that it might not be about the hours they play, but more
on one's awareness to being addicted to playing video games. About 1-3% of adults
are at risk of getting video game addiction, nonetheless its consequences can be not
getting sufficient sleep, not eating enough food, and more. Essentially placing video
games as a higher priority than one’s daily needs.
iii.
The benefits of social media on a person’s mental health during the COVID-19
pandemic.
a) According to Kennedy (2020) sharing is a way to break down stigmas and feel a
connection with others. In addition, sharing your posts/stories online can help you
connect to strangers who may have experienced the same struggles that you have.
Furthermore, in social media, you also get to see a unique perspective to your
problem and learn that you are not alone.
b) According to the study, posting your story/experience will not only benefit you,
but also help others who struggle the same problems as you and reach out.
c) Kennedy (2020) stated that social media stood to her as a reminder than she was
not alone. Ellison (2020) added that although she was enduring the COVID-19
pandemic alone, it felt great that she was still able to feel connected and find a
community through social media, and that she was also able to communicate with
her loved ones.
d) On a social media app called “Twitter” Ellison shared to her audience that “never
be ashamed to seek help…” because all you may need is someone else’s
perspective who can help you understand what is happening in your mind. She
added that the encouragement/support that she received came from other people
who also shared their experiences and stories as well. Thus, sharing your own
experience and seeing other people share about their experiences will help you get
the support that you need, and understand that “We truly are all in this together.”
Ellison (2020).
iv.
Usage of intervention and Technology
a) Based on the studies of Faife (2007), Fitzximons (2010), McCaig et al (2012), if
the problem at hand is the deprivation of social contact because of physical
distancing measures, it may be optimal to use rudimentary telecommunication
methods to improve social skills, social support and online interactions through
telephone or video conferencing depending on access to and literacy in digital
resources and assistive technology.
b) According to the study of David (2020), The absence of normal social activities
affects elderly adults in multiple ways, beyond just the loneliness caused by lack of
social interaction. Disruptions of routines, such as attending a daily or weekly
exercise session, may cause a loss of structure in general and impact medication
schedules, self-care, hygiene, hydration, and sleep – all of which may further
exacerbate loneliness and other health problems.
Conclusion
a) Technology offers a wide range of effective implications towards easing mental hurdles.
b) People suffering from mental hurdles caused by the COVID - 19 Pandemic should
explore the different implications of technology in mental health.
References:
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to Fight COVID-19 Worldwide: Challenges, Recommendations, and a Call for Papers
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