MAPPING MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. A COMPARISON REVIEW OF CHINA AND WESTERN EUROPE

Wiad Lek. 2022;75(8 pt 1):1819-1826. doi: 10.36740/WLek202208102.

Abstract

Objective: The aim: To map and compare mental health interventions during the Covid-19 pandemic in China and Western-Europe. The focus was specifically on the availability, duration, target group, content, setting, and outcomes of the interventions.

Patients and methods: Materials and methods: A scoping review was conducted by utilising several scientific databases. A total of 479 articles were found after removing the duplicate records. After screening, 36 articles were included in the study. Relevant intervention characteristics were systematically mapped, and compared within and among countries.

Conclusion: Conclusions: All interventions had shared aims to improve the psychological resilience and to reduce psychological distress. In particular, anxiety- and depression-related symptoms were commonly addressed. On average, interventions in China were larger scaled, had longer durations, and often used combinations of strategies such as therapies and exercises both in-person and remotely. Interventions in Western-Europe tend to be locally implemented on a smaller scale, and often used a single strategy. Most Chinese interventions targeted adolescents, while all interventions in Western-Europe were meant for adults. Most interventions were assessed using quantitative methods using various mental health scales, showing statistically significant effects in improving mental health.

Keywords: Covid-19; Intervention; MHPSS; Mental health; Pandemic.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • China / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Mental Health*
  • Pandemics