Anxiety, especially within the realm of eco-anxiety, has become an increasingly significant focus of research. In our exploration of eco-anxiety within the Arab Libyan population, we employed a cross-sectional approach and successfully validated the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale (HEAS-13). Across two separate subsamples, both Exploratory (n = 790) [M = 21.64 (SD = 3.51), % women = 86.8] and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (n = 829) [M = 22.24 (SD = 3.76), % women = 84.6] confirmed the validity of HEAS-13. This scale effectively captured four distinct dimensions of eco-anxiety: affective symptoms, rumination, behavioral symptoms, and anxiety regarding one’s negative impact on the planet. Moreover, the total HEAS-13 and its dimensions had good internal consistency coefficients, ranging from 0.65 to 0.82. The findings highlight significant correlations between eco-anxiety subscales, behavioral symptoms, and rumination, indicating distinct profiles of eco-anxiety. Additionally structural equation modelling analysis revealed that eco-anxiety dimensions serve as a significant predictor of various psychological symptoms, climate change perception and climate value, emphasizing the interconnectedness between eco-anxiety and psychological distress. Furthermore, Sex-specific differences in eco-anxiety and its associations with climate change perceptions are explored, suggesting heightened awareness and involvement among females. The results emphasize eco-anxiety as a quantifiable psychological phenomenon, demonstrably measured through our 13-item eco-anxiety scale and associated with the mental health outcomes.

Background

The purpose of this research was to test psychometric proprieties of Macdonald & MacIntyre's Generic Job Satisfaction Scale (GJSS) between Arab workers.

Method

The study involved 171 participants (average age = 39.2 years; standard deviation = 9.76) from Libyan Territory, with 45 % being male. Using a cross-sectional design, the study employed the translated GJSS Questionnaire, the Conditions for Workplace Effectiveness Questionnaire-II (CWEQ-II), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8-items (DASS-8).

Results

Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirmed a one-dimensional structure with a satisfactory fit. The scale showed positive correlations, indicating adequate convergent validity with CWEQ-II dimensions such as Opportunity, Support, Resources, Formal Power (Job activity), and Structural Empowerment, as well as negative correlations suggestive of discriminant validity with the DASS-8 dimensions. Reliability indices, α = 0.87 and ω = 0.88, suggest satisfactory internal consistency and composite reliability of the instrument. Notably, women exhibited higher scores in the Job Satisfaction scale, Opportunity, Support, Formal Power (Job activity scale), and Structural Empowerment dimensions of the Workplace Effectiveness scale.

This cross-sectional study aims to examine the depressive symptoms and stress among older adults. A convenience sample (n = 547) of older adults aged 60+ years was recruited from various regions in Libya. The WHO-5 and PSS-10 were used to assess depression and stress levels. The level of depressive symptoms and stress were 68 % and 71.5 %, respectively, with males reported more depression and stress than females (p ˂ 0.05). A combination of stress and family status significantly associated with levels of depression among the participants. This study provides important insights into the psychological health status of older adults in Libya. The high levels of depression and stress, as well as the identified correlates, shed light on the factors influencing mental well-being in this vulnerable population. These findings can serve as a foundation for the development of targeted interventions aimed at promoting the mental health of older adults in Libya.

Background: Civil wars in Libya have impacted the mental health of the general population. The ways in which individuals cope with traumatic events are influenced by several psychological variables.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate how post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are associated with psychological symptoms and post-traumatic growth (PTG), and to evaluate the role of avoidant and anxious attachment dimensions as mediators in these associations, among Libyan citizens.

Method: Three-hundred participants (147 females; age 31.0 ± 8.4 years) completed the Impact of Event Scale – Revised, Experiences in Close Relationships, Patient Health Questionnaire, and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory – Short Form.

Results: The structural equation model revealed that insecure attachment dimensions mediated the association between PTSS and psychological symptoms and PTG. PTSS were positively associated with psychological symptoms, PTG, and both insecure attachment dimensions. Insecure attachment dimensions were positively associated with psychological symptoms and negatively with PTG.

Conclusion: The present findings contribute to growing empirical research on the roles of insecure attachment dimensions in the association between the impact of war, psychological symptoms, and PTG.

The pandemic had a significant impact on the physical and mental health of the world population. In this context, higher levels of negative and positive symptoms related to psychosis have been observed. The present study aimed to verify, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, the evolution of negative and positive symptoms of schizophrenia during the pandemic period. 

The present work adhered to the PRISMA guidelines, and the GRADE and New Castle Ottawa bias scales were applied. Longitudinal studies from 2020-2021 that assessed negative and/or positive symptoms in persons diagnosed with schizophrenia before and during the pandemic period were searched on PubMed, PsycInfo and PsycArticles. The main results showed significant differences between the pre and the pandemic period regarding negative symptoms [95% CI -0.47 (-0.70, -0.24); Z = 4.01 (p < 0.0001)]. In conclusion, the work showed a worsening of negative symptoms during the pandemic in persons with schizophrenia. The results suggested the importance, in the post-pandemic period, of planning psychosocial interventions for these individuals.

Individuals with different personality traits, temperaments, and psychological symptoms have different attitudes toward the pandemic experiences and restrictive measures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between the psychological factors and the attitudes toward COVID-19, experienced during the third pandemic wave in Italy, in a sample of individuals with psychiatric disorders. Between March and September 2021, 53 patients with mood disorders and other mental disorders completed a survey composed of self-report questionnaires that assessed sleep quality, depressive and hypomanic symptoms, and temperament and personality traits. Positive and negative attitudes toward the pandemic experience were assessed using an ad hoc questionnaire. The results showed that individuals with more severe depressive symptoms were less prone to adhere to government guidelines, and were more convinced that the pandemic was not a real problem. Reduced sleep quality was associated with increased skepticism toward official explanations concerning the causes of COVID-19. Lastly, negative affect and cyclothymic temperament predicted the disposition toward COVID-19 vaccines. In conclusion, these findings highlighted that some psychological aspects and psychiatric symptoms could influence the beliefs about COVID-19 and compliance with government recommendations. Further research is needed to provide indications on how to improve the current healthcare policies.