Anxiety has become a topical issue since the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic, especially for frontline healthcare professionals as they deal with patients affected by the Covid-19.

Objectify anxiety in frontline medical and paramedical staff and study its associated factors.

We conducted a national descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study via a survey over a 2-month period from September to October 2020. We used “Beck Anxiety Inventory” to screen anxiety as well as “Brief Cope Scale” to detect probable correlations between anxiety and coping mechanisms.

We collected 78 persons. The mean age was 29.86 years. 35.9% moved out of home. 39.7% worked in Covid units. 7.7% had personal psychiatric history. 76.9% provided direct care to patients with Coronavirus. The frontline staff reported that only 29.5% of patients were stables. Only 48.4% received adequate training of protection against Covid-19. 64.1% of professionals did PCR test and only 16.7% of them tested positive. We objectified an increase of 6.4% in the anxiolytics use. Stigma affected 57.7% of professionals. We highlighted a link between anxiety and social support strategy (p=0.048). 92.3 % of the staff suffered from anxiety according to Beck Anxiety Inventory.

Screening anxiety among frontline medical and paramedical staff might enhance their productivty and thus provide patients with the best care.

No significant relationships.

Public health authorities around the world have been disseminating messages to support mental health and psychosocial well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the Portuguese guidelines, we have developed the Adherence Scale to the Recommendations for Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic (ASR-MH-COVID19) to better understand this health behaviour.

To analyse the relationship between sociodemographics, personality traits, Adherence (to the Recommendations for Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic) and psychological distress.

413 individuals (69.2% female; mean age=31.02±14,272) completed an on-line survey, in September-December 2020, including sociodemographic questions, ASR-MH-COVID19, NEO-FFI-20 and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Health Perception Scale.

Adherence scores did not significantly differ by gender, age and years of education. Women presented higher DASS and Neuroticism scores (p<.01). Adherence were negatively correlated with Neuroticism (r=-.247) and with Depression/Anxiety/Stress (all r».-200), positively with Openness to Experience (r=.174), Conscientiousness (r=.194) and Perceived Health (Physical, r=.173 and Psychological, r=.215) (all p<.01). Mediation analysis (Hays’ Macro Process - Model 4) revealed that Adherence is a partial mediator between Openness and DASS and Conscientiousness and DASS; when considering Neuroticism, only the direct effect was significant. The effect of Perceived Health (both Physical and Psychological) on DASS was also mediated by Adherence.

The Health Behaviour Model proposes a pathway linking personality and health that applies to these results about adherence and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Personality and perceived health (also a trait) influence both adherence to mental health behaviours and psychological distress. Understanding personality is vital for health care providers.

No significant relationships.

The Covid-19 pandemic appeared globally (1), thus affecting the self-growth of the older population (2).

The aim of this study is to identify and analyze the negative emotions felt during the pandemic, as well as their impact on self-growth of 226 older individuals of four nationalities: Mexican, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.

Thus, a transnational qualitative survey was carried out. A content analysis was performed.

Seven negative emotions were reported, namely: fear, sadness, anger, grief, annoyance, loneliness and shame. These emotions were considerably associated with the following themes: (1) Sharing experiences; (2) Availability of the partner; (3) Spirituality and religion; (4) Be active; (5) Interest in new projects; (6) Civic participation; (7) Sexual activity. Older participants with Mexican and Italian nationality reported that sharing experiences as the most relevant topic, while for the Portuguese and Spanish participants, having a partner available was more important.

This study demonstrated that negative emotions cooperated with the self-growth of older individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic. The heterogeneity of experiences lived by each culture was highlighted, underlining the positive side of negative emotions and their strong connection with the self-growth of the older people. 1.von Humboldt S et al. Smart technology and the meaning in life of older adults during the Covid-19 public health emergency period: A cross-cultural qualitative study. Int Rev Psychiatry, 2020; 1-10. 2. von Humboldt S et al. Does spirituality really matter? - A study on the potential of spirituality to older adult’s adjustment to aging. Jpn Psychol Res, 56;114-125.

No significant relationships.

The exponential increase of the older segment of the population (1) is coinciding with the growing challenges of a digital society in different socio-cultural contexts (2).

This exploratory study aims to analyze older adult perspectives of how smart technology influenced their meaning in life during the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency period, using qualitative research at a cross-national level.

Three hundred and fifty one community-dwelling older participants aged 65-87 years were included in the study. Participants were Italian, Mexican, Portuguese and Spanish. All the narratives went through a process of content analysis.

Findings of content analysis produced six themes: Meaningful relations, rewarding activities, spirituality, health and safety-related support, self-growth, and physical activity. Smart technology was important in promoting significant relations for Mexican older adults (71.3%), rewarding activities for Portuguese older adults (57.1%), spirituality for Spanish older participants (71.6%), and physical activity for Italian older adults (29.5%).

This study indicated that smart technology during the Health Emergency period was important for the meaning in life of older populations, mostly by facilitating meaningful relations, rewarding activities and spirituality. Future interventions with older adults during pandemic periods should consider the diversity of themes associated with increasing older adult well-being, from a cross-cultural perspective. 1. von Humboldt S & Leal I. The old and the oldest old: Do they have different perspectives on adjustment to aging?. Int J Gerontol; 9:156-160. 2. von Humboldt S et al. Does spirituality really matter? - A study on the potential of spirituality to older adult’s adjustment to aging. Jpn Psychol Res, 56;114-125.

No significant relationships.

Clinical practice has shown that SARS-CoV-2 viral infection increases the likelihood of developing mental disorders.Clinical practice has shown that SARS-CoV-2 viral infection increases the likelihood of developing mental disorders.

To analyze clinical indicators of patients with COVID-19 with mental disorders and to identify predictors of adverse outcomes associated with mental state on its basis.

The study included 97 patients, 41 men and 56 women (62.3±15.3 years of age). During the observation period, 26 people died and 71 people recovered. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire (109 variables). Binary logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression were used.

In the study group, death occurred on average after 11.5 days. In this group, the mental state of patients was more severe with a predominance of cases of delirium. With age, the probability of a fatal outcome increased by 1.03 with each year of life. The severity of mental disorder had a greater impact on the risk of death compared to age (p=0.003). Improvement of the mental state of patients during psychotropic therapy was associated with a reduction in the risk of an unfavorable outcome of coronavirus infection by 11.11 times. The greatest contribution to the unfavorable outcome was made by the severity of infection: the risk of death increased by 33.17 times.

A severe or extremely severe mental state increased the risk of death by 4.55 times. The most significant factor in predicting mortality was associated with the severity of the underlying disease.

No significant relationships.

This study was a mixed-methods study. We distributed a web-based 1scale (PSS-10), to measure perceived stress scores, through social networks from March 12 to 23, 2020. Then, we interviewed 42 students, 31 homemakers, 27 healthcare providers, and 21 male participants to identify the sources of stress and coping mechanisms.

We examined the correlates of stress among a large sample of Iranian citizens, the second country hit hard by the pandemic, and still a hot spot.

This anonymous survey had 19 items falling into two sections: sociodemographic data and Cohen’s 10-item perceived stress scale (PSS-10).

A statistically significant difference was observed between the levels of perceived stress in individuals with different health statuses with a higher median of total PSS-10 scores reported for hospitalized individuals. The total PSS-10 scores were higher in those who were practicing self-isolation, had a relative affected with COVID-19 disease, and had experienced the death of a relative due to COVID-19 disease.

This study highlighted the most vulnerable groups overloaded with stress in society and the sources of their stress. Furthermore, we identified the groups that perceived lower levels of stress along with their coping mechanisms. The most frequent source of stress among the most stressful groups including homemakers, students, and health care workers has directly related to their job and their principal role in this period. Abstract thought about the COVID-19 pandemic and its complications were more prevalent among students while homemakers and health care providers showed concrete thinking about the COVID-19 pandemic.

I have no significant financial interest, consultancy, or other relationship with products, the manufacturer(s) of products, or providers of services related to this abstract?

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a threat particularly to the elderly. Although the current vaccination strategy is recognized as an adequate measure to reduce mortality, it still raises concerns about its efficacy and safety.

Assessment of worries and attitudes among Tunisian elderly towards the pandemic.

A descriptive cross-sectional study on a sample of 50 consultants in a geriatric service, aged between 65 years and over. A questionnaire was formulated based on the recommendations of WHO and INEAS.

The average age of our population is 74.6 years. The participants were mainly female, retired (76%) and with low educational attainment. Most of the elderly reported that they respected the wearing of the mask in public (90%) and washing their hands regularly (92%). Social distancing was respected by only 44% of the participants. Concerning the vaccine registration, we noted that 48% of the subjects expressed their willingness to register on the Evax.tn platform. On the other hand, 15 people expressed their refusal to receive the anti-Covid vaccine. We noted that only 22% had a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Only 4% of the respondents did not have concerns about new variants of the virus. About half (52%) of the subjects expressed significant concern about an increased risk of virulence and mortality due to the new variant. Vaccination was considered ineffective by most of the participants (70%).

Addressing worries about vaccine would be an important step to accept it among Tunisian elderly. Adequate information strategy is essential to change attitudes during the pandemic.

No significant relationships.

Endorsing conspiracy theories seems to constitute a major feature of contemporary collective anti-vaccine movements (Vignaud & Salvadori, 2019). As revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this contributes to increased worldwide vaccine hesitancy (de Figueiredo et al., 2020).

The present work aims at providing novel insight into the collective psychological underpinnings of conspiracy-based vaccine discourses.

Our approach is inspired by Jung’s view that human groups produce narratives to project their collective conflicts (e.g., social, religious, political) onto reality. We analyze these projections in relation to the “halo effect” phenomenon, namely taking metaphorical extensions of (scientific) concepts at face value (e.g. Keller, 1995). Accordingly, we discuss one version of “the Great Reset” theory, claiming that COVID-19 vaccines are used by “the elite” to control behavior and abolish fundamental freedoms.

Our analysis suggests that Western societies are manifesting some of their existential concerns through anti-vaccine discourse. In “the Great Reset” narrative, characters (people, vaccines, elites, immune systems, etc.) and plot can be read as symbols of, respectively, structural elements of the collective psyche (socio-cultural values, aggressive drives, death anxiety, psychic defenses, etc.), and dynamic interrelations among these elements.

Conspiracy theories can be understood as shared narratives serving the purpose of giving shape to collective fears. Within such a framework, references to “vaccines” and “immunity” are the manifestations of a state of crisis of collective psychic defenses.

No significant relationships.

Psychological factors, like general self-efficacy, optimism or subjective well-being, might further enhance the understanding of why certain people vaccinate while others do not.

To identify psychological factors associated with people’s decision to vaccinate during pandemic events.

A literature review has been made through PubMed database.

Psychology offers three general propositions for understanding and intervening to increase uptake where vaccines are available and affordable. The first proposition is that thoughts and feelings can motivate getting vaccinated. Low confidence in vaccine effectiveness and concern about safety correlate reliably with not getting vaccinated. The second proposition is that social processes can motivate getting vaccinated. Social norms are associated with vaccination. Recommendation by friends, mainstream media and social media affected vaccination intention. The third proposition is that interventions can facilitate vaccination directly by leveraging, but not trying to change, what people think and feel. To increase vaccine uptake, these interventions build on existing favorable intentions by facilitating action (through reminders, prompts, and primes) and reducing barriers (through logistics and healthy defaults); these interventions also shape behavior (through incentives, sanctions, and requirements). Perceived risk and effectiveness of the vaccine as well as trust in the government and health authorities was related to people’s vaccination intention.

There are significant associations of general individual psychological constructs with the decision to vaccinate. This may provide useful frameworks for understanding the causal mechanisms behind this relationship, which could help to develop intervention strategies to effectively promote vaccination intentions that increase vaccination rates among population.

No significant relationships.

Epidemics such as the Covid 19 pandemic in 2020/2021 increase the psychological stress among health-care workers (HCW) (cf. Mulfinger et al. 2020, da Silva et al. 2020).

The aim of this work is to investigate whether the stresses and working conditions have changed in the course of the pandemic and whether there are differences between different occupational groups in the health sector.

In the first (T1) and second wave (T2) of the Covid 19 pandemic, the pandemic-specific working conditions and stresses were surveyed and analysed (descriptive, T-test, ANOVA) using 15 self-generated items on n=1036 HCWs and presented in a comparison of occupational groups.

Four occupational groups (doctors, nurses, medical-technical assistants, psychologists) were analysed: the highest stress was shown by the occupational group of nurses stress mean difference (MD) 0.453, p 0.000/working condition MD 0.993, p 0.000), the lowest by psychologists (stress MD 0.242, p 0.000/working condition MD 0.466, p 0.000). With regard to stress and working conditions, there was a significant difference between the two measurement points (p 0.000). However, no significant difference between T1 and T2 was found within the occupational groups.

In summary, stress and the working conditions have changed over the long-term. This applies to all occupational groups; no significant difference can be detected within the groups. The results are in line with the infection pattern. The increase in stress and the deterioration of working conditions during the pandemic indicate that there is an urgent need for action to keep healthcare workers stable and healthy.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic was immediately realized to pose a considerable threat both to the physical, and the mental health of people. For healthcare professionals, it marks frantic work rhythms, anxiety for their patients and exposure to an invisible enemy. Those who hold administrative positions are called upon to make unprecedented decisions, facing a high degree of uncertainty. Hence, hospital staff is expected to experience severe psychological distress.

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological distress and possible associations with demographic characteristics, professional duties, hierarchy and predisposing factors to severe COVID-19 disease.

Online questionnaires were distributed to all employees of two hospitals in Thessaloniki, Greece, from March until May 2021. The questionnaires comprised two sections, one concerning the aforementioned purported risk factors, and another involving three psychometric scales, i.e. Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale and Obsession with COVID-19 Scale.

The psychological pressure experienced by healthcare professionals was low, compared to the literature. A history of COVID-19 disease, existence of predisposing factors to severe COVID-19 illness and frequent contact with infected patients were shown to significantly increase the likelihood of psychological distress. Furthermore, an age of 30-34 years, a higher level of education, existence of infected family members and non-vaccination were identified as possible risk factors.

Contrary to previous research results, our sample did not experience severe COVID-19-related psychological distress. Nevertheless, emphasis should be placed on initiatives to support the mental health of this professional group, as many of them do struggle with psychological difficulties.

No significant relationships.

University students’ lifestyle has changed dramatically due to the spread of COVID-19. They had to face adaptation to the online learning format, as well as strict and long-term restriction of social contacts.

To trace the dynamics in the main indicators of mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress) and mental wellbeing among students during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

DASS (Lovibond, Lovibond, 1995) and WEMWBS (Tennant et al., 2007) were applied in the research. The study involved 733 students at Russian universities aged from 18 to 23 years (M=20.0; SD=3.23), of which 88.1% were girls. The same design was used in the spring (N=245), in the autumn of 2020 (N=270) and in the winter of 2021 (N=218).

It was found that the indicators for all DASS scales significantly differ (p<0.05) across the three periods. With Post Hoc Scheffe, it was shown that the levels of depression, anxiety and stress in autumn 2020 and winter 2021 were significantly higher than in spring 2020 (p<0.05). The WEMWBS values differ significantly (p<0.05) throughout the periods. The level of mental wellbeing among students in spring 2020 was significantly higher than in autumn 2020 and in winter 2021 (p<0.05).

It was revealed that despite the rather severe restrictions in Russia at the beginning of the pandemic, and relatively mild measures taken afterwards (compared to many countries), the indicators of students’ mental health as well as the level of their mental well-being continued to decline. The reported study was funded by RFBR, project number 20-04-60174.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic provoked emotional reactions in Russian student populations. Hardiness is seen as a personality predisposition that increases individuals’ resilience to stress.

The study aimed to determine the severity of depression, anxiety, stress, and various components of hardiness in Russian students. In addition, the correlations between emotional reactions and hardiness components were also analysed.

Data collection was carried out between 29 May and 06 July 2020. A total of 129 medical and non-medical students participated in the study. The DASS-21 was used to measure depression, anxiety, and stress levels, while the Personal Views Survey-III examined hardiness. Both questionnaires were adapted for use in Russia.

We found that medical students were less likely to be depressed than non-medical students (M = 4.03 and M = 6.01 respectively, p < 0.05). Medical students had higher levels of the component of hardiness such as commitment (M = 20.95 and M = 18.43 respectively, p < 0.05). In both groups, all hardiness components have negative relationships with depression, anxiety, and stress, but in the medical group control is associated only with depression (rx = -0.446, p < 0.01), whereas the other group also has associations with anxiety (rx = -0.356, p < 0.01) and stress (rx = -0.407, p < 0.01).

Hardiness was negatively related to depression, anxiety, and stress in a pandemic setting. Medical students were more adaptable to the pandemic than non-medical students.

No significant relationships.

The COVID19 outbreak was declared a public health emergency by The Word Health Organisation (WHO) on January 2020. By spring 2020, more than half of the world’s population had experienced a lockdown with strict pandemic prevention such as physical distancing measures. The COVID-19 pandemic have negatively affected many people’s mental health especially the ones who are at risk such as patients with cancer.

This study aimed to screen mental health problems among patients with cancer during the fisrt wave of COVID 19.

To assess the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on mental health of patients with cancer, a Survey was conducted at the department of medical oncology in Nabeul (Tunisia) between March and May 2020. The patients were asked to answer a socio-demographic questionnaire. The COVID-19 infection-related mental Heath problems were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Medical conditions and clinical characteristics were extracted from patients healthcare records.

The median age was 53 years (range, 34-70) with sex ratio 0.35. The majority of the patients had a social support (85%) and lived in urban areas (60%). Only 19 % of them had college degree. Almost quarter of patients had medical conditions. The most common cancer in our cohort was breast cancer (54%) followed by colorectal cancer (20%). Sixty four per cent of them were on adjuvant chemotherapy. Among the 80 person surveyed, 20% had depression and 39 % anxiety.

Further investigations are required to screen mental health status for all cancer patients in order to help them coping.

No significant relationships.

Studies have shown an increasing prevalence of mental health issues in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among them, pregnant women are a specific population at particular mental risk.

The objectives of our study were to assess dysfunctional anxiety in women recovered from COVID-19 and to identify the impact of pregnancy on coronavirus-related dysfunctional anxiety.

This was a cross-sectional case-control study.

The women in the case group have been infected with Sars-Cov 2, with a benign or pauci-symptomatic clinical form, and cured for one to two months at the time of the study without any post-COVID complications. Women included in the control group have not been infected with Sars-Cov 2 .Anxiety was assessed by the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS).

In total, we recruited 30 women in the case group and 30 women in the control group.The average age of the case group was 35.8 ±6.8 years versus an average age of 35.3 ± 6.33 years in the control group. In each group, four women were pregnant (13.3%). Nearly one-third of the patients in the case group had a CAS score indicating dysfunctional anxiety probably related to coronavirus (33.3%), with a significant difference with the control group (p=0.026). In the case group, pregnancy was a risk factor for dysfunctional anxiety with p=0.036, OR=19.46 and CI95% = [1.21-314.00].

COVID-19 has a negative impact on perinatal mental health. Specific support for pregnant women is recommanded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

No significant relationships.

Curbing the spread of the coronavirus and stabilizing the overall psychosocial situation requires compliance with preventive measures: “Protect, test, vaccinate”.

Population groups with psychosocial problems which are difficult to reach and have a high risk of infection, morbidity and mortality as well as unfavorable help-seeking behavior and generally lower vaccination rates need support.

In the outpatient psychiatric facilities of the Psychosocial Services in Vienna (PSD-Wien), specific concepts to support “protect, test, vaccinate” were implemented to protect patients and employees. Information about the benefits and risks of vaccination, relieving fears and support in registering and attending vaccination appointments were of special significance.

Analyzes of selected data from 1,319 patients at PSD-Wien show (period: 1st half of 2021) that these measures made it possible to achieve a significantly higher vaccination willingness in people with severe mental illnesses (84 %) than in the general Austrian population (based on the date of examination, currently approximately 60 %). The same applies to vaccination rates: at least 47 % have received a partial vaccination, of which about half have already received both partial vaccinations.

High vaccination willingness and rates as well as the necessary protection (wearing masks, keeping distance, complying with hygiene rules) and regular testing must not be a phenomenon of privileged population groups. Psychosocial support is needed so that the trilogy “Protect, test, vaccinate” becomes possible for everyone, including people with severe mental illnesses. Social psychiatry is not just about mental health, but also about physical health care and prevention.

No significant relationships.

COVID-19 is associated with mental manifestations, Anxiety and depression appear to be common amongst people hospitalized for COVID-19.

evaluate the emotional stress resulting from infection and assess its impact on the mental health of patients who recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia.

It is a cross-sectional study, The mental health assessment tool DASS2 (Arabic version) was applied in collecting the data for the study. Demographic characteristics, chronic disease status, COVID 19 pneumonia, oxygen saturation level were recorded at the follow-up visit, soon after the psychiatric evaluation. Psychological distress was assessed An Arabic version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was used to assess the mental health status. Statistical analysis by (SPSS, version 25).

466 patients were consented prior to enrollment in the study, out of the total respondents; (53.2%) were females, anxiety rate was found in (18%), stress in (17%), and depression in (14%) of the patients, significantly elevated blood levels of the inflammatory marker in patients with depression and anxiety, increase in the rates of depression with male gender, increasing age and longer duration of ICU stay respectively, with non-significant p-values. There was also a small increase in the period stayed in ICU among those who developed depression and anxiety. Reduced oxygen saturation in COVID-19 patients with depression was 4 times those with no depression.

prolonged ICU stays and reduced oxygen saturation was associated with a high rate of depression in patients with COVID-19, as well as elevated levels of the inflammatory marker D-dimer with depression and anxiety.

No significant relationships.

Covid-19 pandemic put parents under great pressure, and the most vulnerable parents may have become too overwhelmed to find appropriate ways to be supportive caregivers and to address children’s fears and insecurities.

Assess the level of parental stress experienced by mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare it with that experienced by fathers.

This was a descriptive and comparative analytical study, shared on social networks during the period from 8 to 20 April 2021, targeting mothers of children aged 2 to 18 years. The mother answered the questionnaire for herself and her child. The level of stress experienced by the mother in the parent-child relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed by the brief version of the Parental Stress Index (PSI-SF).

The total number of participants was 65 mothers. Parental stress level in mothers was high in 58.5%, the average PSI score was 94.25; the mean score of the parental distress subscale was 34.06; the mean score of the dysfunctional child-parent interaction subscale was 27.86; and the average score of the child difficulty subscale was 32.32. The mean scores of the parental distress subscale, the child difficulty subscale, as well as the mean PSI total score were significantly higher in mothers than in fathers, with p= 0.010; p= 0.022 and p=0.017 respectively.

Our results highlight a higher level of stress in mothers than in fathers. This can be explained the parental, marital and professional responsibilities imposed on women, underlining the urgent need to provide mothers with adequate support.

No significant relationships.

The coronavirus epidemic started in Tunisia on March 12, 2020. Nursing students in hospital internship are among the professional categories most exposed to the virus.

To identify stressors during a COVID-19 pandemic among senior nursing students at the military health school.

Descriptive, retrospective study conducted in March 2021 of the 60 senior nursing students enrolled in the military health school. We developed a self-questionnaire with questions about potential stressors during a COVID-19 pandemic.

Our population was 54.3% male and 45.7% female. The mean age was 22.6 years. Most of the senior students (54.3%) worked in units dedicated to the care of patients with COVID-19. The main stressors reported by the students were fear of seeing patients die (84%), contaminating family (81.4%), being assigned to a COVID unit (78%), lack of protective equipment (75%), catching COVID-19 (67%), contaminating colleagues (64%), delay in teaching (61%), lack of competence and making mistakes (53%).

The COVID-19 pandemic is a time of major stress for nursing students. Psychological support should be provided.

No significant relationships.

The Naimigen questionnaire (Van Dixhoorn, Duivenvoordent, 1985) was developed in the 1980s to assess the severity of hyperventilation syndrome, which causes respiratory alkalosis and, as a result, polysystemic functional symptoms. Later, this questionnaire was recommended for use in the diagnosis of dysfunctional breathing. The COVID-19 pandemic provokes anxiety as a stressful event and objectifies the respiratory function, which becomes a favorable ground for the growth of the prevalence of dysfunctional breathing in society.

To validate the Naimigen questionnaire in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Russian-speaking population.

The author’s socio-demographic questionnaire and the Naimigen Questionnaire (NQ) were used (Van Dixhoorn, Duivenvoordent, 1985). The study was conducted online from April 27 to December 28, 2020. It was attended by 1,362 people from all regions of Russia, including 1,153 women and 209 men aged 15 to 88 years (38.3 ±11.4).

The stable reliability of the Alpha-Kronbach coefficients (> 0.877) was revealed for all NQ points. To check the factor structure of the Naimigen questionnaire, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis using the direct Oblimin criterion, which, when explaining 57.3% of the total variance, allowed us to identify 4 factors: respiratory symptoms, paresthesia and gastrointestinal symptoms, tension, derealization.

Checking the reliability and factor structure of the Naimigen questionnaire allows us to reasonably use this questionnaire on a Russian-language sample in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Disclosure: Research is supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.

Research is supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 21-18-00624.