Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and General Mental Health Problems During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran: A Web-Based Cross-sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic as a stressor can harm the community's mental health. Iran is one of the first countries to be severely affected by COVID-19 since February 2020. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the rates of COVID-19-related Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS) and the general mental health burden among the Iranian population during the pandemic and to explore the potential influencing factors. Methods: Through a web-based cross-sectional survey, based on social media, data were collected from self-selected volunteers using a demographic information form, General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Results: Among 1,910 analyzed respondents, the overall prevalence of COVID-19-related PTSS and general mental health burden was 62.4 and 43.6%, respectively. Regarding mental health, the burden was greater in the social and anxiety dimensions than in the physical and depression dimensions. The prevalence of PTSS was higher in women, younger age groups, divorced/widowed individuals, people with a history of psychiatric disorders, and those who had experienced other stressful events in the last year (P-values < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression showed that a positive history of other stressful events and the GHQ-28 score were the potential influencing factors associated with PTSS (AOR = 2.468 and 6.007, respectively; P-values < 0.001). Conclusions: The study identified a significant mental health burden and PTSS among Iranians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continuous assessment and monitoring of the psychological consequences of pandemics should be considered in Iran and other countries.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Related Factors Among COVID-19 Survivors Two Years After the Pandemic: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey in Kurdistan, Iran

“…In our study, female respondents had higher PCL-5 scores compared to males. This is consistent with previous studies, which showed that the prevalence of mental health burden and PTSD was higher in females than males during the COVID-19 pandemic (9,15,16). The reason can be the greater prevalence of common risk factors in females, consisting of anxiety disorders and preexisting depressive, chronic environmental stress, fluctuations in ovarian hormone levels and hypersensitivity to emotional stimuli, and domestic violence, which may be exacerbated during a pandemic (9,10).…”

“…A number of studies have confirmed demographic characteristics to be significant variables influencing the predisposition to PTSD (9,10). Similarly, our study highlighted the greater possibility of higher PCL-5 scores in younger adults, consistent with several previous studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic (9,17,18).…”

“…A previous study on COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic among the Iranian population reported that about 62.4% of the participants had COVID-19-related PTSD. This result was observed by administering the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and a cut-off score of 24 points, which is the diagnostic requirement for PTSD (9). We found that many individuals in Kurdistan province still had high PCL-5 scores, which is the diagnostic requirement for PTSD, even two years after the onset of the pandemic.…”

“…Several studies have evaluated mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic due to biological and psychosocial factors (6)(7)(8). According to the results of a study in Iran, in the first months of the outbreak, the overall prevalence of COVID-19-related PTSD among the general population over 18 years of age was 62.4%, and the general mental health burden was 43.6% (9). Furthermore, some countries examined the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the population's mental health in the long run.…”

Mechanisms of Physical Exercise Effects on Anxiety in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Lockdown: An Analysis of the Mediating Role of Psychological Resilience and the Moderating Role of Media Exposure

“…Studies have shown that insecurity, due to the death and fear caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, further exacerbates anxiety symptoms in older adults [ 7 , 8 ]. In addition, studies from several countries have noted that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased anxiety levels in older adults [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. In particular, during the lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, people were required to practice home isolation, which exacerbated anxiety symptoms [ 14 ].…”