Mental Health Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Probability Sample Survey of the UK Population

Pierce, Matthias; Hope, Holly; Ford, Tamsin; Hatch, Stephani L.; Hotopf, Matthew; Kontopantelis, Evangelos; John, Ann; Webb, Roger T.; Wessely, Simon; McManus, Sally; Abel, Kathryn M.

doi:10.2139/ssrn.3624264

Cited by 421 publications

(671 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Our measurements showed that COVID-19 lockdown resulted in a significant 1.4-and 5.5-fold increase in stress levels and depressive symptoms, respectively. The observed increase in stress levels and severity of depressive symptoms is consistent with reported cross-sectional (26,46,47) and longitudinal (15,17,19) general population studies. In agreement with previous reports (48,49), we found a more pronounced impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the mental health of women.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Our study has also its limitations. First, the population sample is rather small compared to some recently reported studies (17,19,65). Second, only 40% of the participants of the Kardiovize study accepted the electronic invitation to participate in the COVID-19 add-on study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Resilient coping was assessed using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (42) with a score range of 4-20. Resilient coping was defined as low (score of 4-13), medium (score of 14-16), or high (score of [17][18][19][20]. Compliance with COVID-19 lockdown measures was examined using a series of 4-point Likert scales: 1 (always), 2 (sometimes), 3 (seldom), and 4 (never).…”

Section: Measures and Instrumentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More recently, longitudinal studies examining the impact of COVID-19 on mental health have started to emerge ( Table 1, Supplementary Figure 1). These studies most commonly assessed general mental distress at the time (26)(27)(28)(29)(30) or addressed specific symptoms of mental distress by comparing COVID-19 with pre-COVID-19 data obtained largely from national survey-based probability samples (17,(19)(20)(21)31). Collectively, these studies showed significantly increased mental distress in response to COVID-19.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Risk Factors Underlying COVID-19 Lockdown-Induced Mental Distress

et al. 2020

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Recent reports suggest that the COVID-19 lockdown resulted in changes in mental health, however, potential age-related changes and risk factors remain unknown. We measured COVID-19 lockdown-induced stress levels and the severity of depressive symptoms prior to and during the COVID-19 lockdown in different age groups and then searched for potential risk factors in a well-characterized general population-based sample. A total of 715 participants were tested for mental distress and related risk factors at two time-points, baseline testing prior to COVID-19 and follow-up testing during COVID-19, using a battery of validated psychological tests including the Perceived Stress Scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire. Longitudinal measurements revealed that the prevalence of moderate to high stress and the severity of depressive symptoms increased 1.4- and 5.5-fold, respectively, during the COVID-19 lockdown. This surge in mental distress was more severe in women, but was present in all age groups with the older age group exhibiting, cross-sectionally, the lowest levels of mental distress prior to and during the lockdown. Illness perception, personality characteristics such as a feeling of loneliness, and several lifestyle components were found to be associated with a significant increase in mental distress. The observed changes in mental health and the identified potential risk factors underlying these changes provide critical data justifying timely and public emergency-tailored preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic mental health interventions, which should be integrated into future public health policies globally.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Measures and Instrumentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Risk Factors Underlying COVID-19 Lockdown-Induced Mental Distress

et al. 2020

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“…The temporal differences in anxiety levels between lockdown and post lockdown might indicate a need for well-being intervention programs and a focus on designing health awareness messages that do not raise anxiety to the degree that could increase the burden of poor mental health associated with the pandemic worldwide (38,(43)(44)(45).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions Towards COVID-19 and Adoption of Preventive Measures Among the Public in Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Study

Alkhaldi

Aljuraiban

Alhurishi

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Effective management of the spread of a novel infectious disease, such as the COVID-19 virus can be achieved through influencing people’s behavior to adopt preventive measures. The public’s perceptions and attitudes towards the virus, governmental guidance and preventive measures were unknown in Saudi Arabia. Objectives: Identify the anxiety level, risk perception, information sources, adoption of preventive measures, and ability and willingness to self-isolate during and post-lockdown periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. Investigate socio-demographic factors associated with adoption of preventive measures against COVID-19 and self-isolation.Method: Between April 22nd and June 21st 2020, Saudi adults aged ≥18 years completed an open web-based survey including questions on anxiety level, COVID-19 risk perceptions and adoption of preventive measures. Weighted percentages, Pearson’s chi-square tests, and multiple logistic regression were applied to evaluate associations between these factors and socio-demographic variables. Results: A total of 2,393 respondents filled-out the survey with around (27.2%) aged 35-44 years old. Around 11% of the respondents reported high anxiety level, 74% were worried about the COVID-19 outbreak, and of those, 27% reported that it is likely that they will be infected with COVID-19 with 16% believing it will be life-threatening or severe. Adoption of hygiene practices and social distancing were lower among older (65+ years) compared to younger (18-24 years) respondents (OR: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.28, OR 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.27), respectively. Around 88% reported being able and 82% willing to self-isolate. Those with the lowest gross household income and those with at least one flu symptom were less able and willing to self-isolate. A significant increase was reported in levels of anxiety, perceived effectiveness of social distancing and hygiene practices in the post-lockdown period compared to the lockdown. Conclusions: The study reported high levels of adoption of preventive measures and willingness and perceived ability to self-isolate during the early phase of the pandemic. Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, and those with low socio-economic status reported lower adoption of preventive measures or ability and willingness to self-isolate. Tailored public health messages and interventions are needed to achieve high adherence to these preventive measures in these groups.

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Temporary employment and suicidal ideation in COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: A cross-sectional nationwide survey

Sasaki

Tabuchi

Okubo

et al. 2022

Journal of Occupational Health

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Objectives Association between employment contract (temporary vs. permanent) and suicidal ideation (persistent suicidal ideation [i.e., with onset before COVID‐19] or newly developed under COVID‐19 pandemic) was examined using a nationally representative cross‐sectional study in Japan. Methods An Internet survey was conducted from August to September 2020. The participants’ inclusion criteria for this study were as follows: (i) 20–65 years old, (ii) employees (excluding self‐employed, students, retired, housewives, and unemployed). The associations of suicidal ideation with the employees’ factors were analyzed using the multinomial logistic regression model, adjusting for covariates (sex, age, marital status, education, company size, industries, and a history of psychiatric disease). Results Of total 12 249 participants, 72.4% were permanent and 27.6% were temporary employees. The prevalence was 8.5% for persistent suicidal ideation and 3.2% for newly developed suicidal ideation in the COVID‐19 pandemic. Temporary employment was significantly associated with persistent suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.36 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.16–1.59]; P < .001), but not associated with newly developed suicidal ideation (aOR = 1.10 [0.85–1.42]; P = .457) after adjusting the covariates. Sensitivity analysis showed temporary employment was significantly associated with persistent suicidal ideation only in women. Newly developed suicidal ideation was significantly higher among participants of a young age, employees in drinking/eating/hotel business industry, and those having a history of psychiatric disease than among the counterparts. Conclusions Working on a temporary employment contract was associated with persistent suicidal ideation under conditions of COVID‐19 outbreaks in Japan. However, the result showed no significant difference in newly developed suicidal ideation. Further longitudinal study will be needed to examine the risk of being employed on an unstable occupational contract in the prolonged pandemic.

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Mental Health Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Probability Sample Survey of the UK Population

Abstract: Mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal probability sample survey of the UK population

Cited by 421 publications

References 11 publications

Risk Factors Underlying COVID-19 Lockdown-Induced Mental Distress

Risk Factors Underlying COVID-19 Lockdown-Induced Mental Distress

Perceptions Towards COVID-19 and Adoption of Preventive Measures Among the Public in Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Study

Temporary employment and suicidal ideation in COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: A cross-sectional nationwide survey

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