Psychological science and COVID-19: An agenda for social action

Autor: Prakash Padakannaya, Simon F. Crowe, Ava Thompson, Oscar A. Barbarin, Brigitte Khoury, Germán Gutiérrez, Martina Klicperova-Baker
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 91:412-422
ISSN: 1939-0025
0002-9432
DOI: 10.1037/ort0000549
Popis: This report summarizes what is known about the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and proposes ways for psychology organizations to engage in addressing pandemic-related challenges. A stress and coping framework is used to describe key factors that account for mental health difficulties resulting from the stress of pandemics including the pandemic course, political leadership and public response, cumulative stressors, risk and protective factors, and coping strategies. Psychology organizations could do much to provide help particularly to vulnerable healthcare and frontline workers, the elderly, and the socially isolated. They could offer clinical services and design prevention programs, train non-professional community workers to provide mental health first aid, assist NGO's and political leaders, and translate basic research on psychological factors that influence acceptance of public health measures. The pandemic occurs at a time of advanced connectivity that provides an opportunity for (a) scientific information exchange, (b) alleviation of distress of social isolation, but also (c) infodemic, unprecedented spread of hoaxes and online incitements to non-compliance with preventative measures. Psychology's role is not limited to addressing mental health needs but also includes promoting adjustment to changes in the economy, education and employment, and developing effective communication strategies that encourage acceptance of public health measures. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Databáze: OpenAIRE