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BACKGROUND: Most COVID-19-related mental health research focused on average levels of mental health parameters in the general population. However, considering heterogeneous groups and their long-term responses could deepen our understanding of mental health during community crises. This four-wave study aimed to (1) identify subgroups with different trajectories of depressive and anxiety symptoms in the German general population, and (2) investigate associated risk factors. METHODS: We analyzed self-report data from N = 1257 German adults participating in a European cohort study, assessed in summer 2020 (T1), and at 6 (T2), 12 (T3), and 30 months (T4). Depressive and anxiety symptoms were measured using the PHQ-4. Sociodemographic, health-related, and pandemic-related variables were assessed at baseline. We applied growth mixture modeling to identify subgroups of symptom trajectories and conducted multinomial logistic regression to examine factors associated with class membership. RESULTS: We identified six symptom trajectories: Low-stable (n = 971, 77.2 %), Continuous deterioration (n = 30, 2.4 %), Transient deterioration (n = 75, 6.0 %), Continuous improvement (n = 97, 7.7 %), Transient improvement (n = 38, 3.0 %) and Chronicity (n = 46, 3.7 %). Age, education, work status, mental health diagnoses, self-reported health, and pandemic-related news consumption were significantly associated with subgroup membership. LIMITATIONS: The generalizability of the study is constrained by an unrepresentative sampling method, a notable dropout rate, and limited consideration of risk factors. CONCLUSION: Most people experienced low symptoms or improvement during the pandemic, while others experienced chronic or transient symptoms. Specific risk factors were associated with these trajectories, revealing nuanced mental health dynamics.

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The impact of traumatic experiences on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic has been insufficiently discussed in the German-speaking countries. Against this background, a working group of scientifically and clinically active colleagues was formed on behalf of the German-Speaking Society for Psychotraumatology (DeGPT). The aim of the working group was to summarize central research findings on the incidence of domestic violence and associated psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in German-speaking countries and to discuss their implications. In addition, associations between pre-existing childhood trauma and psychological distress during the pandemic should be illuminated. The present narrative review was prepared for this purpose.The results of the studies conducted indicate high prevalences of domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, which, however, predominantly correspond to pre-pandemic prevalences. Adults with current or pre-existing interpersonal traumatic experiences during childhood or adolescence reported increased psychological distress during the pandemic compared with adults without such experiences. A number of risk factors (e.g., female gender, lower frequency of social contacts) increased the risk of psychological distress and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms during the pandemic. According to these findings, people with current or past interpersonal trauma exposure represent a vulnerable group with special support needs during pandemic contexts.

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BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, female gender was a robust factor associated with mental health problems. This study aimed to investigate associations between pandemic-related risk factors, stressors, and clinical symptoms, with special reference to gender and possible differential gender effects. METHODS: Participants were recruited from June to September 2020 through an online survey (ESTSS ADJUST study). Women (N = 796) and men (N = 796) were matched on age, education, income, and living community. Symptoms of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (PHQ-4), adjustment disorder (ADNM-8), and PTSD (PC-PTSD-5) and different risk factors including pandemic-specific stressors (PaSS) were assessed. Separate network analyses for men and women were conducted and compared followed by a joint network analysis including gender. RESULTS: The networks of women and men did not differ in their structure (M = 0.14, p = .174) or strength of associations (S = 1.22, p = .126). Few relationships differed significantly between genders e.g., the connection between burden through work-related problems and anxiety was stronger in women. In the joint network, single factors were related to gender e.g., men felt more burdened through work-related problems and women through conflicts at home. LIMITATIONS: We cannot imply causal relationships due to the cross-sectional data of our study. The findings cannot be generalized as the sample is not representative. CONCLUSION: Men and women seem to show comparable networks of risk factors, stressors, and clinical symptoms, although differences in individual connections and in levels of clinical symptoms and burdens were found.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a high burden in the general population. The exposure to an accumulation of risk factors, as opposed to a single risk, may have been associated with higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms during the pandemic. This study aimed to (1) identify subgroups of individuals with distinct constellations of risk factors during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) investigate differences in levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms. German participants (N = 2245) were recruited between June-September 2020 through an online survey (ADJUST study). Latent class analysis (LCA) and multiple group analyses (Wald-tests) were conducted to identify profiles of risk factors and examine differences in symptoms of depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-2). The LCA included 14 robust risk factors of different domains, for example, sociodemographic (e.g., age), health-related (e.g., trauma), and pandemic-related (e.g., reduced income) factors. The LCA identified three risk profiles: High sociodemographic risk (11.7%), high social and moderate health-related risk (18.0%), and low general risk (70.3%). Individuals with high sociodemographic risk reported significantly higher symptom levels of depression and anxiety than the remaining groups. A better understanding of risk factor profiles could help to develop targeted prevention and intervention programs during pandemics.

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During the current COVID-19 pandemic, people need to cope with multiple stressors which may affect their well-being. This study aimed (1) to identify latent coping profiles in the German general population, and (2) to investigate differences between these profiles in well-being. In total, N = 2326 German participants were recruited as part of the European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) ADJUST study from June to September 2020 using an online survey. Coping strategies were assessed using the Brief-COPE and the Pandemic Coping Scale; well-being was assessed using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Coping profiles were identified using latent profile analysis; differences between profiles were examined using the automatic BCH method and multiple group analyses. Five coping profiles were identified that included different types and numbers of coping strategies: (1) High functional coping (17.84%), (2) Moderate functional coping (40.63%), (3) High functional and religious coping (9.07%), (4) Low functional coping (22.06%), (5) Moderate functional and dysfunctional coping (10.40%). The identified profiles significantly differed in well-being (χ2  = 503.68, p <0.001). Coping profiles indicating high functional coping were associated with greater well-being compared to coping profiles indicating low (χ2  = 82.21, p <0.001) or primarily dysfunctional (χ2  = 354.33, p <0.001) coping. These results provide insight into how people differ in their coping strategies when dealing with stressors in an early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study indicates higher levels of well-being in coping profiles with more frequent use of functional strategies. To promote well-being in the general population, it might be beneficial to train functional coping strategies in appropriate interventions that are associated with increased well-being.

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INTRODUCTION: Many disaster and trauma survivors experience persistent subclinical distress that places them at risk of developing a mental health disorder. This study describes the first European feasibility study of a brief and scalable skills-based intervention targeting persistent subclinical distress following disasters and trauma. METHOD: Randomized controlled feasibility study of the Skills fOr Life Adjustment and Resilience (SOLAR) group program. German trauma survivors (N = 30) with subclinical symptoms of depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress disorder or functional impairment, but no current mental disorder other than adjustment disorder, were randomized to the SOLAR group program (n = 15) or to a wait-list control group (n = 15). The primary outcome was feasibility, operationalized through eligibility rate, recruitment speed, treatment adherence, dropout rate, and participant satisfaction with the program. Secondary outcomes were psychological distress, symptoms of insomnia, posttraumatic stress disorder, patient-centered outcomes, quality of life, and perceived social support. RESULTS: Eligibility rate was 33.6%; recruitment speed was two days per participant; 92.9% completed at least four of five sessions; dropout rate was 10.0%; 92.3% were "very satisfied" with the program. Between-group change scores showed a large effect size for patient-centered outcomes. Medium effect sizes were found for symptoms of insomnia, perceived social support, and quality of life. Small effects were identified for reductions in distress and functional impairment. DISCUSSION: The application of the SOLAR group program within a randomized controlled trial was feasible. Its efficacy should be further tested in a larger trial. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

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BACKGROUND: After catastrophes, trauma and other highly stressful experiences, a proportion of individuals develop mental illness, while another proportion exhibit persisting subclinical distress that limits psychosocial functioning. Individuals with persisting subclinical distress rarely receive psychosocial support services. AIM OF THE STUDY: This paper presents the Skills fOr Life Adjustment and Resilience (SOLAR) program, a brief intervention developed for people with persistent subclinical distress following catastrophes and other severe stressors. In addition, we report the preliminary findings of a pilot study on the satisfaction with the program in face-to-face and video conferencing formats among people affected by traumatic experiences. METHODS: An international consortium of catastrophe and trauma experts developed the SOLAR program. It includes five weekly group sessions in which behavioral therapy elements are taught. In a pilot study 15 participants received the SOLAR group program in a face-to-face format, and 15 received the program via video conferencing during the first weeks of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. After program completion, we assessed satisfaction with the program using the German version of the client satisfaction questionnaire (CSQ-8). RESULTS: Participants were "largely" to "very satisfied" with the SOLAR program. The satisfaction in the face-to-face group was slightly greater in all aspects than in the online group. The trainers rated the program as easy to implement. CONCLUSION: The SOLAR program represents a promising brief intervention for persistent subclinical distress after severe stressors, which should be further tested for its effectiveness in face-to-face or video conferencing formats. Practical recommendations for implementation are provided.