Internet gaming has become a topic of interest since it has positive but also negative effects.

To explore the relationship between internet gaming, aggression and psychological distress in young adults.

229 Portuguese subjects (55.5% females), with a mean age of 21.13 years old (SD = 2.075, range: 18-29) filled in the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form, the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21.

The total score of internet gaming was of 15.90 (SD=6.32), 79.9% (n=183) of the sample used to play videogames and 24.5% (n=56) spent more than ten hours playing a week. Internet gaming was correlated with physical aggression (r=.23**), anger (r=.31**) and hostility (r=.35**); and with depression (r=.36**), anxiety (r=.28**), and stress (r=.31**). A Mann Whitney U test revealed significant differences in internet gaming disorder levels of males (Md=130.75, n=102) and females (Md=102.35, n=127), U=4871.000 z=-3.232, p=.001, r=4.49.

Internet gaming disorder is associated with aggression and psychological distress, and males presented higher internet gaming disorder levels. Future studies are needed to explore the bidirectional relationships between gaming disorder, aggression and psychological distress.

No significant relationships.

Globalization and increased competition in the engineering profession induce to work longer and harder, which predisposes to workaholism or work addiction. Identifying individual factors associated with workaholism could help to maintain the mental health at work.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of workaholism and its associated socio-demographic and historic factors among Tunisian engineers.

A cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study conducted among Tunisian engineers during July 2021. The data were collected by an online questionnaire including the socio-demographic and historic information and the “the Work Addiction Risk Test” (WART) which was used to assess the workaholism.

A total of 52 engineers participated in this study (40.4% female and 59.6% male). The average age was 30.75 years (SD=6.25 years). Concerning marital status, thirty-five engineers (67.3%) were single. Of the participants, 17.3% had a history of chronic somatic-disorders and 25 % of them had a history of a psychiatric disorder, such as depressive disorder in 11.5% of cases. The prevalence of workaholism in Tunisian engineers was 23.1%. Workaholism was associated to older age with no significant difference (p = 0.11). The analysis showed that workaholics had more history of depressive disorder (p = 0.02) compared to non-workaholics. However, no significant difference was found by the other socio-demographic factors according to workaholism.

Workaholism is a significant phenomenon among Tunisian engineers. It may depend of personal characteristics and induce negative consequences on mental health and lead to depression.

No significant relationships.

Internet-addiction (IA) is one of the most common non-chemical (or behavioral) addictions with genetic impact and substantial effects of psychological and personality characteristics, taking into account the childhood traumatic experience. Gene-environment interactions (GxE) may substantially impact on the risk of Internet-addiction (IA).

Aim: to test the associations between the functional polymorphism rs6265 (Val66Met) in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene, affecting BDNF function, and childhood traumatic experience and their GxE interactions with IA risk.

In total 456 participants were screened with Chinese Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS) to cut a cohort on two groups: IA (CIAS total score ≥ 65, n=100) and controls (CIAS total score less 64, n=356). The Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) was used to assess childhood traumatic experience using its main domains: parents (P), family (F), abuse (A) and violence (V). BDNF Val158Met polymorphism was detected by RT-PCR.

Logistic regression revealed associations of P scores with increased IA risk only after adjustment for sex and age (p=0.01, OR=1.166, 95%CI[1.038-1.309]) and V scores with decreased IA risk (p=0.000, OR=0.799, 95%CI [0,233;0,744] only before adjustment. No associations of F and A with IA risk were found. BDNF Val158Met per se was not associated with IA risk, but significant effect of interaction V score*BDNF rs6265 CC on IA risk in “protective” manner was revealed (р=0.039, OR=0.873, 95%CI[0.768-0.993]) in a model adjusted for sex and age.

Childhood violence experience interacts with BDNF Val158Met polymorphism and CC (ValVal) genotype may be possibly protective factor decreasing the internet addiction risk

This work was carried out with the financial support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research: RFBR grant # 18-29-22079

With the Covid-19 pandemic numerous questions about the behaviour of gambling addicts have risen, with the lockdown causing a lack of structure, peer supervision and support. The first reports have suggested an increase in activity and riskier choices.

Our aim was to explore how the Covid-19 pandemic has influenced gambling habits.

Data was collected from companies in Germany and Croatia which provide online gambling services, and statistically analyzed.

In Germany in April 2020, there was a 51.19% decrease in number of players when compared to April 2019, but a 116.46% rise in the number of tickets per player. In comparison, in April 2021 a rise of 704.43% occurred in number of active players compared to April 2020, with a 277.56% increase in ballots and a decrease in number of tickets per player by 53%. Additional results showed a 1.2% decrease in spendings on sports events in April 2020 compared to April 2019, but a 277.88% increase for sporting events spendings in April 2021. Preliminary results from Croatia show an increase in online gambling activities.

In 2020, despite a drop in active players, the increase in stakes and frequency of play resulted only in a slight decrease in sporting events spendings. In 2021 the recorded increase in all categories except in frequency, points to the idea that restoring life to usual rhythm reduces the frequency of an individual’s play. In conclusion, further research and monitoring of gambling addicts’ behaviour in the “new normal” is needed.

No significant relationships.

Patients with comorbid cocaine and alcohol dependence have a worse prognosis with lack of adherence to follow-up and treatment, frequent psychosocial problems, and higher rates of relapse [1]. Concurrent use of both substances produces cocaethylene, which is associated with more toxicity than cocaine alone [2].

To determine the efficacy of disulfiram compared to nalmefene in the treatment of comorbid cocaine and alcohol use.

A quasi-experimental open study was designed on 41 outpatients, with a follow-up of at least 1 year at the Mental Health Unit, aged between 18 and 65 years, diagnosed with cocaine and alcohol dependence (ICD-10). A minimum simultaneous weekly consumption of 2 grams of cocaine and 12 SD (Standard Drink) of alcohol during the month before, described by self-records was established. Treatment with oral disulfiram 250mg/day was assigned to 21 patients, and with oral nalmefene 18mg/day to 20 individuals. Observation period was for 6 months. Urinalysis and alcohol breath test were carried out twice a week. Abstinence was defined by obtaining negative results for at least 4 consecutive weeks. Statistical analysis were performed using SPSS v21.0 (significance p<0.05).

61.9% of patients treated with disulfiram achieved a minimum of 4 consecutive weeks of abstinence from cocaine and alcohol, compared to 40% in the nalmefene group (χ²=1.188; gl=1; p=0.276). There were no significant differences.

Disulfiram or nalmefene monotherapy seems clinically ineffective or insufficient in reducing the combined use of cocaine and alcohol. Further research is needed to assess the effect of both drugs simultaneously.

No significant relationships.

ICD-11 describes Gaming disorder as a behavioral pattern characterized by impaired control over gaming, increased gaming priority, and escalation despite consequences. This description is similar to other addictive behaviors with minor specifics. However, it is unclear if gaming disorder has any specific psychopathological profile.

The study aimed to investigate gaming disorder’s connection to primary psychopathological symptomatology.

515 gamers aged 16-56 (75% male) anonymously completed online questionnaires: SCL-90-R and Video Games Addiction Scale (VGAS) – our new 26-items questionnaire based on ICD-11 criteria for gaming disorder. VGAS showed good reliability (Cronbach`s α=0.858) and external validity (positive correlation with Chen Internet Addiction Scale, r=0.472, p=0.000).

Gaming disorder severity showed positive correlations (p=0.000) with all SCL-90-R scales. Pearson`s r ranged from 0.311 (phobic anxiety) to 0.431 (depression). Thus, gaming disorder showed no specific combination of psychopathological symptoms. Instead, all symptoms had almost equal correlations with the VGAS score.

Gaming disorder is not linked to any particular combination of psychopathological symptoms. On the contrary, as suggested by our study, different symptoms are almost equally related to excessive gaming. Several interpretations are possible. Problematic gaming can be a way for psychologically distressed people to deal with different symptoms. Conversely, gaming disorder can itself lead to psychological maladjustment. Thus, further thorough research is required, specifically when deciding on the primary diagnosis in comorbid cases or choosing the therapeutic aims.

No significant relationships.

Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) have emerged as a new therapeutic option to treat patients suffering a psychotic disorder. To date, there is a lack of studies regarding safety and clinical use pattern of LAIs in pregnant women.

Provide evidence and real world clinical data of pregnant women with schizophrenia who have been treated with long-acting aripiprazole monohydrate (aripiprazole once monthly [AOM] condition) during their pregnancy.

Descriptive real-world clinical experiences of pregnant women in treatment with AOM. The information was obtained by reviewing electronic medical records and by direct clinical observation management.

The first six case-series describing the pregnancy course of women with schizophrenia treated with AOM. All of them remained psychopathologically stable through pregnancy, and their infants became healthy with normal developmental milestones (Table 1).

Table 1.

Clinical characteristics of six case-reports.

The favorable results in this case-series suggest that despite the lack of evidence on reproductive safety and treatment with AOM during pregnancy, this therapeutic option should be considered in pregnant women with schizophrenia. However, further research on the use of long-acting antipsychotics in pregnant women is needed.

No significant relationships.

Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric illness with periods of remission and relapse. Patients vary in the frequency and severity of relapse, time until relapse and time in remission. Discontinuation of antipsychotic medication is by far the most important reason for relapse. A possible method to optimize medication adherence is to treat patients with long-term, depot medication rather than oral medication.

Primary objective is to compare all cause discontinuation rates in patients with schizophrenia randomized to either one of the two depot medications (aripiprazole depot or paliperidone palmitate) with patients randomized to either one of the two oral formulations of the same medication (aripiprazole or paliperidone) over an 19 month follow-up period.

Pragmatic, randomized, open label, multicenter, multinational comparative trial consisting of a 19 month treatment period. Patients aged 18 years or older, having experienced the first psychosis 1-7 years ago, currently meeting DSM-IV-R criteria for schizophrenia. Patients are randomized 1:1:1:1 to paliperidone palmitate, aripiprazole depot, oral aripiprazole or oral paliperidone. The primary outcome is all cause discontinuation.

In the Intent to Treat sample (n=511), no difference was found in time to ACD between the combined oral and combined depot treatment arms, nor between the four individual treatment arms.

Even though the scientific evidence comparing oral and depot medication has been inconsistent, most studies were conducted in rigorous clinical settings, which may have biased those results. In contract, given the pragmatic, open label design of the current trial, the results may be more representative of common daily practice.

No significant relationships.

Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSD) often lead unhealthy lifestyles with higher prevalence of obesity and unfavourable cardiometabolic parameters with less life expectancy and often worse quality of life compared with general population.

Evaluate the effectiveness of a combined intervention of exercise and psychoeducation in 48 SSD outpatients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), treated with second-generation antipsychotics and also aimed to explore if the effect persisted in a long-term follow-up of 24 months.

The intervention included a 12-week aerobic exercise program and a session of lifestyle psychoeducation. Effectiveness was measured in terms a wide range of outcomes involving physical and psychological health, functioning, quality of life, physical activity and changes in motivation to exercise in the context of the self-determination theory.

The active intervention group showed benefits after Bonferroni correction over clinical global impression, identified motivation to exercise and changes of physical activity pattern. Maintenance of effects after 24 months of follow-up was observed for identified regulation to exercise and also for negative symptoms of psychosis (Table). Table. Effects assigned-group/time-over *p≤0.05 **p≤0.01.

A combined intervention on SSD outpatients with MetS showed effectiveness over several clinical parameters and functioning. Therefore, should be considered an essential part of the integral treatment in mental health services for SSD patients.

No significant relationships.

The prevalence of schizophrenia is close to 1 percent internationally. According to the 2019 census, the population in the province of León, our study population, is 460,001 inhabitants.

To study the distribution of schizofrenia in the area covered by the Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, Spain.

This is a retrospective and cross-sectional descriptive study. The data of the hospitalizations of the last 10 years (2009-2019) will be obtained in any service of the CAULE of the 28 basic health areas of the province of León, with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Prevalence will be calculated. The rate of schizophrenia will be calculated for the decade per 1000 inhabitants.

3133 admissions identified 1576 unique patients. It is the decade of 50-59 where the largest number of hospitalizations is concentrated. Most entered directly into the psychiatry hospital care. It is 2019 where the most income is produced and 2017 the one with the least. The rate of schizophrenia is 3,2 Per 1000 inhabitants.

Hospitalizations for schizophrenia is concentrated in the decade of the 40-49 years. The diagnosis of schizophrenia is frecuently delayed until negative symptoms appear. There is an upward trend in hospitalizations per year in the last decade. The rate of schizophrenia is higher in areas where consanguinity is present and where the prison is located.

No significant relationships.

The development of obesity and metabolic abnormalities that seed future ill-health occur early with antipsychotic treatment. In 2013, the 12-week Keeping the Body in Mind (KBIM) pilot lifestyle intervention was delivered to a small sample of youth experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP) with <4 weeks of antipsychotic exposure in a cluster-controlled design. The control group experienced significant increases in weight (mean 7.8kg) and waist circumference (mean 7.1cm) compared to non-significant increases (mean 1.8kg) in the KBIM group.

To evaluate the effect of KBIM as routine care on anthropometry and metabolic biochemistry in a larger sample of youth with FEP across three mental health services.

This retrospective chart audit was conducted on youth with FEP, prescribed a therapeutic dose of antipsychotic medication, and who engaged with KBIM between 2015 and 2019. Primary outcomes were weight and waist circumference. Secondary outcomes were blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids. Outcomes were collected in a pre-post design. Implementation elements were also obtained from the participant’s medical file.

One-hundred and eighty-two people met inclusion criteria. Follow-up data were available on up to 134 people for individual outcomes. Mean number of sessions attended was 11.1 (SD=7.3). Weight and waist changes were limited to 1.5kg (SD=5.3, t(133)=3.2, p=0.002) and 0.7cm (SD=5.8, t(109)=1.2, p=0.23). Nineteen percent experienced clinically significant weight gain. There were no changes to blood pressure or metabolic biochemistry.

The positive outcomes for weight and waist circumference found in the initial pilot study were maintained with implementation as routine care.

No significant relationships.

In daily life an alert or relaps prevention plan can be a helpful tool in preventing patients with severe mental illness (SMI) from relapse. However, patients often find it hard to keep the paper version close by. A smartphone version could be a solution. “MySolutions” is a webapplication providing the possibility to add e.g. pictures or music to the alert plan, which could be helping in time of need.

To describe the lived experiences of patients with (SMI) with the webapplication ‘MySolutions’ and get insight in the helping and hindering characteristics of the application.

Qualitative research in a fenomenological framework. Eight interviews were held with outpatients with SMI. All interviews where methodically analyzed using the steps of Colaizzi (1978).

In general, users were enthousiastic about the look and feel of the application. Using the application was considerd easy. Lived experiences of participants displayed the following themes: Autonomy, Acceptance, Frustration, Self confidence, and Reassurance. By practicing and adding photos and music, they perceived the webapplication to be a personal aid tool for experienced problems related to mental vulnerability in daily life. Participants also reported more difficulties in using the application in times of dysregulation.

The webapplication can be a valuable addition to the alert plan for people with SMI due to the possibility of personalization and the fact it is always available on a mobile phone. The application seems particularly suiting for people in a stabile phase. Future research should focus on phase of recovery in relation to use of the application.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated preventive measures have an impact on the persons’ mental health, including increasing risk of symptoms of anxiety and depression in particular. Individual experiencing mental health difficulties in the past could be especially vulnerable during lockdown, however, few studies have tested this empirically considering preexisting mental health difficulties using longitudinal data.

The objective of this study is to examine the longitudinal association between preexisting symptoms of anxiety/depression and symptoms of anxiety/depression during lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic in a community sample.

Seven waves of data collection were implemented from March-May 2020. Generalized estimation equations models were used to estimate the association between preexisting symptoms of anxiety/depression and symptoms of anxiety/depression during lockdown among 662 mid-aged individuals from the French TEMPO cohort.

We found an elevated odds ratio of symptoms of anxiety/depression (OR=6.73 95% [CI=4.45–10.17]) among individuals experiencing such symptoms prior lockdown. Furthermore, the odds of symptoms of anxiety/depression during lockdown was elevated among women (OR=2.07 [95% CI=1.32–3.25]), subjects with low household income (OR=2.28 [1.29–4.01]) and persons who reported loneliness (OR=3.94 [2.47–6.28]).

This study demonstrates a strong relationship between preexisting symptoms of anxiety/depression and anxiety/depression during the COVID-19 outbreak among mid-aged French adults. The findings underline the role of preexisting symptoms of anxiety/depression as a vulnerability factor of anxiety/depression during lockdown. Furthermore, the study shows that loneliness is independently associated with symptoms of anxious/depression, when controlling for prior anxiety/depression symptoms.

No significant relationships.

COVID-19 caused an ongoing health emergency that rapidly spread worldwide, so all countries adopted exceptional health measures to reduce disease’s transmission. The stress caused by pandemic presents increasing risks for family violence and for child abuses. Interinstitutional Equips of Abusive and Maltreatment (IEAM) deals with the management of abusive families in Palermo’s territory. IEAM starts evaluations after the interventions of the court solicited by a complaint filed by teachers, law enforcements or members of the family. IEAM is formed by consultations in maternity ward, child welfare service and school educational psychologists.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the variations of child abuse and maltreatment reported during local and National lockdown due to pandemic. Reported cases were compared with the previous year.

The authors collected data of IEAM’s advisory from January 2019 until August 2021. The number of cases was evaluated monthly.

We observed 124 cases in 2019, 145 in 2020 and 94 until August 2021. Advisory reductions coincided with the service activity reduction in August of every year and in March 2020 when Italy declared national lockdown. Social isolation represents a risk factor for child abuse. Although the increase of cases was quite stable, there are reasons to speculate that the reporting of child abuse and maltreatment decreased since home isolation hampered the access to responsible services.

School closure together with the strong reduction of social care and monitoring during and after lockdown might have increased the domestic violence. Lastly, the child abuse may be underreported despite the effective increase.

No significant relationships.

Cognitive functioning and psychological well-being are considered negatively affected by COVID-19. An estimated 15%-40% of COVID-19 patients report disrupted cognitive performance. Higher rates of anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances are also reported post infection.

We examined the profile of cognitive changes in a group of adults with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, compared to those without a COVID-19 diagnosis (cross-sectional between-subjects investigation); and for a subgroup, compared to their pre-COVID-19 cognitive function (longitudinal within-subjects investigation).

One hundred and twenty-one adults (57 with no known history of COVID-19; 64 with confirmed COVID-19; 17/64 with long COVID symptoms) were assessed online for psychological well-being and cognitive function (attention, processing speed, working memory, episodic memory and executive function). Pre-COVID-19 cognitive data were available for 56 of 121 adults (24 adults with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19; 22 with no known history of COVID-19) through the MyCognition database.

The COVID-19 group showed reduced processing speed in both cross-sectional and longitudinal investigations, and also showed significant attentional impairment when examined cross-sectionally. Five long COVID symptoms (abdominal pain, chest pain, sore eyes/conjunctivitis, sore throat and vomiting/nausea) were associated with reduced performance in multiple cognitive domains. Higher levels of depression and anxiety were also present in the COVID-19 group but these symptoms were mostly unrelated to cognitive performance.

COVID-19 survivors, especially those with long COVID symptoms, are very likely to experience cognitive disruption. Measures need to be implemented to support their cognitive recovery in addition to the physical recovery.

No significant relationships.

At Kiskunhalas Semmelweis Hospital, a special mobile container hospital was set up to care for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the first wave of the pandemic.

We aimed to create a proactive integrated mental health protection system for the frontline healthcare workers that provides an opportunity for psychophysiological monitoring of stress and crisis during shifts, as well as providing staff with more lasting methods of coping with difficulties.

From the ascending branch of the second wave, every two weeks on the workers’ rest day, mental helpers initiated a phone call to each employee participating in the program. If it was necessary, we provided psychological counseling, crisis intervention, brief psychotherapy, and psychopharmacotherapy. In addition, self-operated psychophysiological screening devices were used at the frontline work site, which provided an opportunity for continuous telemedicine monitoring.

In our department, three psychologists and three psychiatrists kept in touch with an average of 150 frontline workers per month. Interventions were needed for a total of over 24% in December and January, over 17% in February and March, almost 9% in April, and only 4% in May. Helpers rated an average of two-thirds of these cases as moderate. They faced severe stress 2-3 times a month in sum, and for 2-3 workers needed medication.

Without a mental support system, self-report-based data suggest that nearly half of responders working at the frontline reached the threshold of clinically significant mental syndromes (Greenberg et al, 2021). Using our mental health support system, one-fifth of the workers needed intervention.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-MENTA Screening Program was developed to monitor the mental health of frontline healthcare professionals and identify those at high risk for suicide at the Kiskunhalas Mobile Disease Control Hospital.

Our post hoc analysis aimed to investigate the association between psychological distress and suicide ideation based on passively collected data during the screening work.

A sample of 50 healthcare professionals was analyzed from 167 participants in the COVID-MENTA Screening Program between the second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection was performed during the breaks of healthcare professionals at work. Half of the group (N=25) perceived severe distress (scored > 5/10 on Distress Thermometer). The crisis monitoring application was based on Klonsky and May’s 3-step theory (2015) and was built by adapting the questions on the appropriate international scales (Psychache Scale, Beck’s Hopelessness Scale, Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, Suicide Capacity Scale). The tool can stratify the current suicide risk into seven levels.

Spearman’s Rank Correlation was used for statistical analysis. There was a significant positive correlation between the psychological distress and the suicide risk (r (48) = 0,43, p < 0,01).

Our findings supported the hypothesis of the study that the risk of suicide rises with the increase of the level of distress. The application has been proved effective in ecological conditions, helping in several cases to screen individuals currently at increased risk for suicide, allowing us to intervene in a timely and effective manner.

No significant relationships.

the recent covid19 pandemic is not devoid of psychological risks on paramedical staff. Among them, those who work in the operating theaters are exposed to such risks.

to determine the perceived stress level and the psychological impact of COVID-19 on paramedics in the operating room.

This is an observational, descriptive and analytical study carried out in the operating rooms of Sahloul University Hospital during a 3 month period. The data collection tool was a self-administered questionnaire composed of 5 main parts (socio-demographic characteristics, occupational characteristics, exposure to COVID-19, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Hospital Anxiety and depression scale (HADS)).

96 paramedical staff participated in our study. The average perceived stress score was significantly higher among anesthetists. 48% of participants had anxiety. Anesthetists had significantly higher anxiety scores (p = 0.001). 26.1% of participants had definite depression. Of those with definite depression, 35.3% were anesthetists (p = 0.028). Factors significantly associated with the occurrence of anxiety were: psychiatric history, increased workload, contact with a positive coronavirus patient in the operating room, and severe perceived stress. However, the factors significantly associated with the occurrence of depression were: initial training in the management of covid-19 patients, personal infection with SARS-COV2 and severe perceived stress.

Covid-19 pandemic is causing significant symptoms of anxiety and depression among operation room staff. Primary and secondary prevention strategies must then be undertaken.

No significant relationships.

Individuals confirmed with COVID-19 were isolated or treated in medical and well-designated units; however, such a situation probably causing psychological and mental health problems that require prompt intervention.

The purpose of this study was to identify the knowledge and management of healthcare workers regarding psychosocial and mental health priorities and needs of individuals with COVID-19.

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The data collected conveniently at one single point in time from 101 healthcare workers in Jordan directly managing the health of individuals with COVID-19.

healthcare workers have moderate to a high level of knowledge of psychological distress related to COVID-19; mean ranged from 50-70% agreement and confidence. Healthcare workers had moderate to a high level of management of psychosocial and mental health needs. In general, healthcare workers were able to identify mental and psychosocial health needs and priorities at a moderate level. Healthcare workers’ knowledge had a positive and significant correlation with age (r = .24, p = .012) and years of experience (r = .28, p =.004), and a significant difference was found in their management towards using mental and psychosocial care between those who are trained on psychological first aids and those who are not (t = - 3.11, p = .003).

there is a need to train healthcare workers to integrate psychosocial and mental health care while managing psychological distress related to COVID-19.

No significant relationships.

Nations thorughout the world are imposing mandatory quarantine on those entering the country. While such measures may be effective in reducing the importation of COVID-19, the mental health implications remain unclear.

This study sought to assess mental well-being and factors associated with changes in mental health in individuals subject to mandatory quarantine following travel.

Travellers arriving at a large urban international airport completed online questionnaires on arrival and days 7 and 14 of mandated quarantine. Questionnaire items such as travel history, mental health, attitudes towards COVID-19, and protection behaviours were drawn from the World Health Organization Survey Tool for COVID-19.

There was a clinically significant decline in mental health over the course of quarantine among the 10,965 eligible participants. Poor mental health was reported by 5.1% of participants on arrival and 26% on day 7 of quarantine. Factors associated with greater decline in mental health were younger age, female gender, negative views towards quarantine measures, and engaging in fewer COVID-19 prevention behaviours.

While the widespread use of quarantine may be effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19, the mental health implications are profound and have largely been ignored in public policy decision-making. Psychiatry has a role to play in contributing to the public policy debate to ensure that all aspects of health and well-being are reflected in decisions to isolate people from others.

No significant relationships.