Social relationships and depression during the COVID-19 lockdown: longitudinal analysis of the COVID-19 Social Study

Abstract

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to measures that reduced social contact and support. We explored whether UK residents with more frequent or supportive social contact had fewer depressive symptoms during March−August 2020, and potential factors moderating the relationship. Methods A convenience sample of UK dwelling participants aged ⩾18 in the internet-based longitudinal COVID-19 Social Study completed up to 22 weekly questionnaires about face-to-face and phone/video social contact frequency, perceived social support, and depressive symptoms using the PHQ-9. Mixed linear models examined associations between social contact and support, and depressive symptoms. We examined for interaction by empathic concern, perspective taking and pre-COVID social contact frequency. Results In 71 117 people with mean age 49 years (standard deviation 15), those with high perceived social support scored 1.836 (1.801–1.871) points lower on PHQ-9 than those with low support. Daily face-to-face or phone/video contact was associated with lower depressive symptoms (0.258 (95% confidence interval 0.225–0.290) and 0.117 (0.080–0.154), respectively) compared to no contact. The negative association between social relationships and depressive symptoms was stronger for those with high empathic concern, perspective taking and usual sociability. Conclusions We found during lockdown that those with higher quality or more face-to-face or phone/video contact had fewer depressive symptoms. Contact quality was more strongly associated than quantity. People who were usually more sociable or had higher empathy had more depressive symptoms during enforced reduced contact. The results have implications for COVID-19 and potential future pandemic management, and for understanding the relationship between social factors and mental health.

Which traits predict elevated distress during the Covid-19 pandemic? Results from a large, longitudinal cohort study with psychiatric patients and healthy controls

“…Social isolation during the pandemic has also been associated with poorer life satisfaction, and higher levels of substance use ( Clair, Gordon, Kroon, & Reilly, 2021 ). Current social support during the pandemic was found to be associated with fewer depressive symptoms, with quality of contact being more important than quantity ( Sommerlad et al, 2021 ). Higher social support was also associated with more positive appraisal and higher resilience during the pandemic ( Veer et al, 2021 ).…”

Which traits predict elevated distress during the Covid-19 pandemic? Results from a large, longitudinal cohort study with psychiatric patients and healthy controls

“…Social isolation during the pandemic has also been associated with poorer life satisfaction, and higher levels of substance use (Clair, Gordon, Kroon, & Reilly, 2021). Current social support during the pandemic was found to be associated with fewer depressive symptoms, with quality of contact being more important than quantity (Sommerlad et al, 2021). Higher social support was also associated with more positive appraisal and higher resilience during the pandemic (Veer et al, 2021).…”

The impact of lockdown stress and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among university students in Germany

“…Taking social responsibility, feeling part of the society and making a social contribution in order to fight the pandemic may counteract feelings of loneliness. Alternatively, those who are more socially connected may have undertaken more measures in order to keep at least some personal contact (such as balancing potentially risky contacts by self-chosen quarantine and utilizing digital contact possibilities) 28 .…”