Pandemic‐Related Stress Increases PTSD and Depression Risk in Traumatic Injury Patients: A Comparative Study of Pre‐ and Peri‐Pandemic Trauma Cases

Abstract

The COVID‐19 pandemic significantly impacted the psychological well‐being of the general population. However, there are limited studies that examine its mental health effects on patients who have experienced traumatic injuries and tracked their recovery over time. This study aimed to: (1) compare the rates and severity of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression between patients who sustained traumatic injuries before the COVID‐19 pandemic (pre‐pandemic) and those injured during the pandemic (peri‐pandemic); and (2) assess whether the degree of pandemic‐related stress (e.g., worry about infection, social isolation, loss of home/job) predicted the severity of PTSD or depression symptoms. Participants (N = 198) were recruited from a Level 1 Trauma Centre in Southeastern Wisconsin following admission for a single‐incident traumatic injury. Symptoms of PTSD and depression were assessed during hospitalisation and at three additional points within the subsequent 6 months. Self‐report measures were used to evaluate PTSD and depression severity among patients injured before (pre‐pandemic; n = 126) and during (peri‐pandemic; n = 73) the pandemic. Peri‐pandemic participants also completed a modified version of the COVID‐19 Family Stress Screener to measure pandemic‐related stress. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to identify the dimensions of pandemic‐related stress in our sample. The findings indicated that participants injured during the pandemic exhibited higher symptoms of PTSD and depression compared to those injured before the pandemic. Additionally, greater pandemic‐related stress correlated with elevated levels of depression and PTSD at baseline. Our results highlight that the broader context in which patients recover from injuries can intensify the negative mental health consequences of traumatic injury. This underscores the need for enhanced access to psychological services for trauma patients, particularly during major societal stressors like a global pandemic.