The Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Anxiety and Depression Among Working-Age Adults in Mainland China at the Early Remission Stage of the Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic

Abstract

BackgroundThe Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has led to a considerable proportion of adverse psychological symptoms in different subpopulations. This study aimed to investigate the status of anxiety and depression and their associated factors in the adult, working-age population in Mainland China at the early remission stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAn online study was conducted among 1,863 participants in 29 provinces in Mainland China from March 23 to 31, 2020. Their mental health was evaluated by the generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7) and the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9). Descriptive analysis, Chi-square, and multiple logistic regressions were applied.ResultsAbout 44.5% of the participants had anxiety, 49.2% had depression, and 37.9% showed a combination of depression and anxiety. Around 83.7% of the participants claimed that the pandemic had a negative impact on their medical needs, which was the primary predictor of mental health, the degree of impact being positively related to the prevalence of anxiety and depression. More chronic diseases, moderate to bad self-rated health, severe perceived infection risk, and younger age group were the common risk factors for anxiety and depression. Having no children, unemployment, and a college-level educational background were associated with higher anxiety prevalence, whereas unmarried participants were correlated with higher depression prevalence.ConclusionThe working-age population showed a relatively high risk of anxiety and depression in Mainland China at the early remission stage of the pandemic. To improve medical services capacity for routine and delayed medical service needs should be a part of policy-makers’ priority agenda during this period of crisis.

Prevalence and Risk Factor Analysis of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome in Patients with COVID-19 Requiring Mechanical Ventilation: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study

“…However, there was no age-related trend in the prevalence of mental disorders found in this study. This may be related to the relatively high prevalence of anxiety and depression among working-age adults [ 62 ]. Obesity is known to be associated with increased mortality in patients with COVID-19 [ 63 , 64 ], but was not found to be associated with the prevalence of functional disability in this study; rather, a low BMI was associated with worse trends for functional disability.…”

Prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Japan: A General Population Survey

“…9 , 10 The results may have been influenced by the coronavirus diseases (COVID-19), as the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in cases of depression and anxiety. 23 , 24 Indeed, in a recent online cross-sectional survey from Mainland China, a high prevalence of anxiety (approximately 45%) was seen in working-age adults in March 2020. 24 We found a lower prevalence of GAD in persons ≥65 years of age compared to participants ≤30 years of age.…”

“… 23 , 24 Indeed, in a recent online cross-sectional survey from Mainland China, a high prevalence of anxiety (approximately 45%) was seen in working-age adults in March 2020. 24 We found a lower prevalence of GAD in persons ≥65 years of age compared to participants ≤30 years of age. Interestingly, a similar pattern was observed in the previous World Mental Health Survey study 5 and an Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being.…”