COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Life Habits in the Canadian Population

Abstract

ObjectivesThe study aims to investigate the rate of clinical depression in the adult population during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the changes in anxiety, distress, suicidal ideation, and their relations with several personal and interpersonal/social variables.MethodsThis is an epidemiological, non-interventional study. It is part of an international multi-center study, with the main site at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in Greece (COMET-G Study). We are presenting aspects of the research involving the Canadian site, based on 508 Canadian responders to the online survey (QAIRE).ResultsOf the 508 responders, 72.2% were females aged 42.57 ± 14.00 years; 27.2% were males aged 42.24 ± 15.49 years; and 0.6% were others aged 46.33 ± 17.79 years. Increased anxiety during the lockdown was reported by 69.3% of those surveyed. The rate of suicidal thoughts increased in 19.5% of participants during the lockdown. Depression was reported by 22% of responders, while distress was present in 18.4%. We found a greater prevalence of depression, but not distress, in individuals with a history of any mental disorder. Based on the multiple regression analysis, we found four CORE factors equally influencing the changes in mental health during the lockdown (gender, quality of sleep, family conflicts, and changes in daily routine). In the Canadian population, two major changes acted as protective factors, significantly expressed when compared with the worldwide tendencies: fewer financial difficulties; and an increase in religious beliefs.ConclusionThe rate of major depression, distress, and suicidal ideation was higher in Canadians than in the worldwide population (per COMET-G), but the relative risk to develop depression in the presence of a history of mental disorders was lower. Almost 90% of Canadians believed in the real story of COVID source of provenience.

Mentally healthy living after pandemic social distancing: a study of older Canadians reveals helpful anxiety reduction strategies

“…26,55 Along with adequate sleep, establishing daily routines has been shown to reduce their anxiety. 38 Although 40-51% of older Canadians exercised, 55 frequent exercise was found not to beneficial for anxiety. 56 When social restrictions were lifting, two-thirds of our participants stayed active and less anxious, albeit in a small way.…”

“…In the first year of the pandemic, along with being accepting, 54 other older Canadians paid attention to their nutrition and sleep 26,55 . Along with adequate sleep, establishing daily routines has been shown to reduce their anxiety 38 . Although 40–51% of older Canadians exercised, 55 frequent exercise was found not to beneficial for anxiety 56 .…”

“…Responders were asked: ‘How is your health these days?’ (poor, fair, good, very good, excellent). Perceived health is a key indicator of older people's mental health 36–38 …”

Suitability of the Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire Short Form for Use among Adults in Their 50s: A Cross-Sectional e-Survey Study

“…People in their 50s and early 60s were the second most prominent age group needing emergency work income relief in the early stages of COVID-19 [78]. Monetary losses were subsequently linked with heightened anxiety [79] and mental distress [80] and were, as is the case with forgone exercise [81], exacerbating symptoms of depression [77].…”

Anxiety symptoms and coping strategies used by older adults during COVID-19: A national e-study of linkages among and between them.

“…Resilient people are exible people with an ability to reframe how they think, act, and feel about what is in front of them, whether this concerns precarious health, work, and/or family matters [70] In the rst year of COVID-19, resilient older people appeared to be better able to weather its many impacts [35,71]. Qualitative [61,72] and quantitative [31,73] researchers partly attributed more favourable mental health and well-being of older people to personal resilience.…”