Mental health risk factors during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, distancing measures were enforced to reduce virus spread, which likely had an impact on the overall mental health of the population. Aims To investigate the prevalence of mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety and insomnia), and associated risk factors, during a physical distancing period imposed in the first wave of COVID-19. Method During the first month of Portugal's state of emergency, an online survey was created and disseminated through social media channels. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were assessed via self-reported questionnaires. Univariate linear regressions were used to identify associations between the collected variables and mental health outcomes. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for clinical outcomes, with adjustment for potential confounders. Results We analysed data from 1626 participants: a significant proportion showed depression (30.2%), anxiety (53.1%) and insomnia (36.3%) symptoms. Multivariate regression models showed that being male and working from home were protective for all mental health outcomes analysed, whereas the perception of infection, being under psychiatric care and taking medication were risk factors (P < 0.05). Days in isolation and being unemployed were risk factors for depression and insomnia (P < 0.05). Younger age and being a student were risk factors for depression, whereas being a healthcare professional was protective (P < 0.05). Indirect contact with COVID-19 was a risk factor for anxiety (P < 0.05). Conclusions COVID-19-related distancing measures were associated with high levels of adverse mental health symptoms. Several risk factors were associated with these symptoms, which highlight the importance of identifying vulnerable groups during physical distancing periods.

Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and first lockdown in Lebanon: Risk factors and daily life difficulties in a multiple-crises setting

“…Besides the financial stressors, our results showed higher depressive and anxiety symptoms in younger single participants and students during the first lockdown period, in line with findings from other populations during the pandemic. Young adults and college students are known to be at a higher risk for mental health [38,[46][47][48], with mental health conditions accounting for almost half of the nonfatal burden of disease among people aged 10 to 25 years [49]. The insufficient readiness of the educational sector in Lebanon with its scarce resources and infrastructural limitations for online learning added enormous challenges to students in our context.…”

Changements observés au Canada dans la consommation de cannabis à des fins médicales pendant la pandémie de COVID-19

“…Les perturbations de la vie quotidienne, associées à la crainte de contracter ou de transmettre le SRAS-CoV-2, sont devenues une source de stress importante pour de nombreuses personnes [3][4][5][6][7] . En effet, des études menées au début de la pandémie ont révélé une détérioration marquée de la santé mentale dans les populations du monde entier, ainsi qu'une exacerbation des symptômes d'anxiété, de détresse, de dépression, d'insomnie et de stress posttraumatique [8][9][10][11][12] .…”

Shifts in medical cannabis use in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…[3][4][5][6][7] Indeed, early studies observed marked deteriorations in mental health in populations world-wide as well as exacerbated symptoms of anxiety, distress, depression, insomnia and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). [8][9][10][11][12] Secondary to these pandemic-induced shifts in social, economic and psychological health states have been changes to the contexts, motivations and patterns of substance use. For example, approximately 1 in 8 adults in a representative sample of the US population reported starting or increasing the use of a substance to cope with pandemic-related negative emotions alongside high rates of selfreported anxiety and/or depression (31%)…”