Back to Search Start Over

Network analysis on psychopathological symptoms, psychological measures, quality of life and COVID-19 related factors in Chinese psychiatric patients in Hong Kong.

Authors :
Fung, Vivian Shi Cheng
Chan, Joe Kwun Nam
Chui, Eileena Mo Ching
Wong, Corine Sau Man
Chu, Ryan Sai Ting
So, Yuen Kiu
Chan, Jacob Man Tik
Chung, Albert Kar Kin
Lee, Krystal Chi Kei
Lo, Heidi Ka Ying
Cheng, Calvin Pak Wing
Law, Chi Wing
Chan, Wai Chi
Chang, Wing Chung
Source :
BMC Psychiatry; 4/12/2024, Vol. 24 Issue 1, p1-10, 10p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Background: Psychiatric patients are susceptible to adverse mental health impacts during COVID-19, but complex interplays between psychopathology and pandemic-related variables remain elusive. This study aimed to investigate concomitant associations between psychopathological symptoms, psychological measures and COVID-19 related variables in Chinese psychiatric patients during the peak of fifth pandemic wave in Hong Kong. Methods: We employed network analysis to investigate inter-relationships among psychopathological symptoms (including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder-like [PTSD-like] symptoms, insomnia, psychotic symptoms), cognitive complaints, health-related quality of life, loneliness, resilience and selected pandemic-related factors in 415 psychiatric outpatients between 28 March and 8 April, 2022. Network comparisons between genders, diagnosis (common mental disorders [CMD] vs. severe mental disorders [SMD]), and history of contracting COVID-19 at fifth wave were performed as exploratory analyses. Results: Our results showed that anxiety represented the most central node in the network, as indicated by its highest node strength and expected influence, followed by depression and quality of life. Three comparatively strong connections between COVID-19 and psychopathological variables were observed including: fear of contagion and PTSD-like symptoms, COVID-19 stressor burden and PTSD-like symptoms, and COVID-19 stressor burden and insomnia. Network comparison tests revealed significant network structural difference between participants with history of contracting COVID-19 and those without, but showed no significant difference between genders as well as between CMD and SMD patients. Conclusions: Our findings suggest the pivotal role of anxiety in psychopathology network of psychiatric patients amidst COVID-19. Pandemic-related variables are critically associated with trauma/stress and insomnia symptoms. Future research is required to elucidate potential network structural changes between pandemic and post-COVID periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1471244X
Volume :
24
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
BMC Psychiatry
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
176582190
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05690-7