Background
To investigate changes in mental health outcomes among racial groups between 2019 and 2020.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the third through fourth quarters of 2019–2020 longitudinal data from the National Health Interview Survey. Self-reports of diagnosed depression and anxiety disorder were key outcomes. We calculated the percentage of depression and anxiety disorder across baseline sample characteristics. Discrete-time hazard models stratified by race/ethnicity were conducted, with hazard ratios (HRs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and
p
-values reported.
Results
Of a total 10,415 individuals, 16.3 and 14.1% reported that they were diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder in 2019, respectively. In the multivariable model, only Asian-Americans experienced a significant increase in the probability of receiving a diagnosis of depression by 104% between 2019 and 2020 (HR 2.04, 95%CI 1.19–3.52;
p
= 0.010). Also, Asian-Americans had a 97% (HR 1.97, 95%CI 1.23–3.15;
p
= 0.005) greater probability of being diagnosed with anxiety disorder in 2020 than in the previous year, while Hispanics and Whites had a relatively moderate increase of 40% (HR 1.40, 95%CI 1.01–1.76;
p
= 0.040) and 11% (HR 1.11, 95%CI 1.03–1.20;
p
= 0.007), respectively.
Conclusions
Asian-Americans experienced a disproportionate increase in mental health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discriminatory behaviors against Asian-Americans may be important contributors. The study findings suggest the need for serious actions to address this issue.