Generalized anxiety and depressive symptoms in various age groups during the COVID-19 lockdown. Specific predictors and differences in symptoms severity

Abstract

Background. Previous studies carried out in different countries indicated that young adults experience higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms than older age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about which epidemic-related difficulties and factors may contribute to these forms of emotional distress in various age groups. Purpose. The aim of the current study was to investigate: (i) differences in levels of depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms, as well as perceived difficulties related to pandemic across four age groups in the Polish population; (ii) which factors and difficulties related to pandemic are predictors of generalized anxiety and depressive symptoms in various age groups during the COVID-19 lockdown. Method. A total of 1115 participants (aged 18-85) took part in the study. The group was a representative sample of the Polish population in terms of sex, age, and place of residence. Participants completed online: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9, The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Scale of Perceived Health and Life Risk of COVID-19, Social Support Sale, Scale of Epidemic-Related Difficulties. Results. Younger age groups (18-29 and 30-44) experienced higher levels of depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms than older adults (45-59 and 60-85 years). Difficulties in relationships and at home were amongst the strongest predictors of depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms in all age groups. Fear and uncertainty related to the spread of the virus were one of the most important predictors of emotional distress in all the groups apart from the adults between 18-29 years, whereas difficulties related to external restrictions were one of the most significant predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms only in the youngest group. Conclusions. Our results indicate that the youngest adults and those experiencing difficulties in relationships among household members were the most vulnerable to depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 lockdown. Thus, it is important to plan preventive and therapeutic interventions to support these at-risk individuals in dealing with the challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Loneliness and Depression among Women in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…A preliminary report from a longitudinal study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland by Gambin et al in a cohort of 1179 individuals (with women accounting for 49.7%) shows that individuals over 64 years of age have a significantly lower level of depression than subjects aged 18-24 and 25-35 years, and a lower level of anxiety than those aged 18-24 years. In addition, the age of the subjects was negatively correlated with the symptoms of severity for both depression (r = −0.231; p < 0.001) and anxiety (r = −0.180; p < 0.001) [60]. This relationship is also confirmed by our study.…”

Exploring the Frequency of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in a Brazilian Sample during the COVID-19 Outbreak

“…Although older people are the primary mortal victims of the COVID-19 pandemic, our results suggested that the mental health of young people is highly impacted by a scenario that combines low income, lack of autonomy and reduced social interaction [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 31 , 40 ]. Congruently, in this study, we observed higher scores of anxiety and depression symptoms for the younger age group, as well as positive associations through logistic regression.…”

“…These findings can be interpreted as a result of uncertainty associated with professional and personal futures [ 27 ]. Furthermore, one should have in mind that those 18–29 years old are in a phase in which they are developing autonomy, leaving their parents’ homes, and building interpersonal relationships; all these factors were paused for an uncertain period of time [ 40 ]. In fact, we evidenced that younger people were those with post-secondary education, single, living with parents, receiving 1–3 monthly wages, and more likely to be unemployed.…”

Lonely and thinking about the past: the role of time perspectives, Big Five traits and perceived social support in loneliness of young adults during COVID-19 social distancing

“…Another relevant variable might be related to the situation at work (characteristics of the forms of work: remote or on-site during social isolation and whether employment was maintained or not). Work situation was found to contribute to anxiety and depression during COVID-19 social isolation in Poland (Gambin et al, 2020). Work is also an important source of social contact and social support (Chiaburu, Van Dam, & Hutchins, 2010;Kossek, Pichler, Bodner, & Hammer, 2011).…”