Mental health inequalities increase as a function of COVID-19 pandemic severity levels

Abstract

Rationale Current evidence suggests that mental health across the globe has suffered significantly during the COVID-19 global pandemic, and that disadvantaged communities are suffering these impacts more acutely. Lower income, female gender, and younger age have all been associated with worse psychopathology during COVID-19. Objective and methods The goal of this study was to determine whether these disparities are more pronounced in places where the pandemic is more severe. We analyzed self-report data and objective metrics from a large global sample ( N = 11,227) in order to test the hypothesis that country-level severity of COVID-19 moderates the relationship between the target demographic variables (Subjective SES, gender and age) and psychopathology indicators. Results Severity of the pandemic emerged as a significant moderator of the relationship between these demographic variables and mental health outcomes. This pattern was extremely consistent for Subjective SES and gender, but slightly more nuanced for age. Conclusion Overall, we interpreted our data as suggesting that mental health disparities are greater in countries with more severe COVID-19 outbreaks. These findings are critical for understanding the ways that the ongoing pandemic is affecting global mental health, and contribute to the broader literature surrounding collective trauma.

Changes in Brain-Health Related Modifiable Risk Factors in Older Adults After One Year of COVID-19-Restrictions

“…Participants with more modifiable health and lifestyle risk factors (measured by LIBRA) report a higher number of detrimental lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing at a potential further risk of cognitive decline and dementia. These results contribute to the notion the COVID-19 pandemic may amplify health inequalities in brain health and dementia risk ( 38 , 39 ).…”

Pregnant Women’s Anxiety and Depression Symptoms and Influence Factors in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Changzhou, China

“…The possible reasons for varied prevalence lay in diverse social, economic, cultural, and religious backgrounds in different countries and regions ( Zhang et al, 2018 ). In addition, different cutoff scores for different measurement instruments ( Lin et al, 2021 ) and distinct severity of the local pandemic across multiple studies could also contribute to these inconsistencies ( Maffly-Kipp et al, 2021 ). Therefore, restrictive standard diagnosis tools, more reasonable cutoff scores, and multi-center investigations could be required in further studies.…”

Exacerbation of psychosis risk during the COVID-19 pandemic: The disproportionate impact on the lower income population

“…In another one in an Indian population, lower SES was a risk factor for greater stress, depression and anxiety ( Kajdy et al, 2020 ). Considering that lower income has been associated with worse psychopathology during COVID-19 ( Jaspal and Breakwell, 2020 ), on a more macroscopic perspective a large study enrolled 11,227 individuals from 30 countries ( Maffly-Kipp et al, 2021 ). They concluded that mental health disparities are greater in countries with more severe COVID-19 outbreaks—which is the case of Brazil.…”