Factors associated with serious psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a nationwide cross-sectional internet-based study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the factors associated with serious psychological distress (SPD) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.DesignNationwide cross-sectional study using survey data.SettingInternet survey using sampling weights for national estimates conducted between 25 August and 30 September 2020 in Japan.ExposuresDemographics (age, gender), socioeconomic status (income level, employment type, educational attainment, marital status, family composition and caregiving burden); the experience of domestic violence (DV), the state of emergency and fear of and stigma related to COVID-19.Main outcome measuresPrevalence of SPD, defined as Kessler 6 Scale score ≥13.ResultsAmong 25 482 respondents, 10.0% met the criteria of SPD. Overall, women (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.59; 95% CI 1.17 to 2.16; p=0.003), ages 15–29 (aOR 2.35 compared with ages 45–59 years; 95% CI 1.64 to 3.38; p<0.001), low-income level (aOR 1.70 compared with intermediate income; 95% CI 1.16 to 2.49; p=0.007), providing caregiving to family members (aOR 5.48; 95% CI 3.51 to 8.56; p<0.001), experiencing DV (aOR 5.72; 95% CI 3.81 to 8.59; p<0.001) and fear of COVID-19 (aOR 1.96; 95% CI 1.55 to 2.48; p<0.001) were associated with SPD. Among women aged 15–29 years, who have a higher risk of suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, caregiving, DV, fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19-related stigma were associated with SPD.ConclusionsEconomic situation, caregiving burden, DV and fear of COVID-19 were independently associated with SPD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among young women, similar factors, except economic situation, were associated with SPD. Targeted interventions based on age and gender may be more effective in mitigating the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the population’s mental health.

Factors Related to Women’s Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from a Two-Wave Longitudinal Study

“…Although several variables have demonstrated a negative impact on mental health in the general population, little is known about which factors had a greater impact in predicting women’s psychological distress during the pandemic. Previous studies [ 24 , 25 , 26 ] have examined gender differences in psychological distress after the COVID-19 pandemic, and reported several important factors that were associated with a higher level of mental health problems. In a study conducted in China, Yan et al [ 25 ] found that among female participants, risk factors of distress included poorer health, worse local pandemic status, greater desire for knowledge about COVID-19, the problem of diseases during the pandemic, and an inability to work/study.…”

“…Conversely, calmness of mood compared with the pre-pandemic period and frequent contact with colleagues were found to act as protective factors against psychological distress. Another recent study [ 26 ] found that the caregiving burden, domestic violence, and fear of COVID-19 were independently associated with psychological distress among young women, who presented higher suicide rates during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Association Between Serious Psychological Distress and Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study with Pregnant Japanese Women

“…Another large-scale survey of psychological distress among the general population in Japan was conducted between August and September 2020. 17 In this survey, gender (women), age (younger), income level, employment type, caregiving status, domestic violence experience, and fear of COVID-19 were independently associated with serious psychological distress (SPD). However, this study had not targeted pregnant women, who may have additional risk factors for SPD such as a history of miscarriage and abortion.…”

Effect of workplace infection control practices on workers’ psychological distress: a large-scale cohort study during the COVID-19 second state of emergency in Japan

“…Economic stress can affect mental health 21 and low income is also associated with poorer mental health. 12,22 Since the leave of absence and shortening of business hours directly affects the worker's economic situation, it may have led to increased psychological distress. The second survey of this study was conducted on the days, February 18-19th, 2021; prior to that, a state of emergency was re-declared from January 8th.…”