The Evolution in Anxiety and Depression with the Progression of the Pandemic in Adult Populations from Eight Countries and Four Continents

Abstract

Nearly a year after the classification of the COVID-19 outbreak as a global pandemic, it is clear that different factors have contributed to an increase in psychological disorders, including public health measures that infringe on personal freedoms, growing financial losses, and conflicting messages. This study examined the evolution of psychosocial impacts with the progression of the pandemic in adult populations from different countries and continents, and identified, among a wide range of individual and country-level factors, which ones are contributing to this evolving psychological response. An online survey was conducted in May/June 2020 and in November 2020, among a sample of 17,833 adults (Phase 1: 8806; Phase 2: 9027) from eight countries/regions (Canada, the United States, England, Switzerland, Belgium, Hong Kong, the Philippines, New Zealand). Probable generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive episode (MDE) were assessed. The independent role of potential factors was examined using multilevel logistic regression. Probable GAD or MDE was indicated by 30.1% and 32.5% of the respondents during phases 1 and 2, respectively (a 7.9% increase over time), with an important variation according to countries/regions (range from 22.3% in Switzerland to 38.8% in the Philippines). This proportion exceeded 50% among young adults (18–24 years old) in all countries except for Switzerland. Beyond young age, several factors negatively influenced mental health in times of pandemic; important factors were found, including weak sense of coherence (adjusted odds ratio aOR = 3.89), false beliefs (aOR = 2.33), and self-isolation/quarantine (aOR = 2.01). The world has entered a new era dominated by psychological suffering and rising demand for mental health interventions, along a continuum from health promotion to specialized healthcare. More than ever, we need to innovate and build interventions aimed at strengthening key protective factors, such as sense of coherence, in the fight against the adversity caused by the concurrent pandemic and infodemic.

Generalized Anxiety among Swiss Health Professions and Non-Health Professions Students: An Open Cohort Study over 14 Months in the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The crude prevalence of GAD symptoms in our student population in the March to September 2020 time frame (M1-M3) was very similar to that of the adult population in Switzerland, which was 22.3% [24]. After October 2020, the prevalence of GAD symptoms in the student population was substantially higher and remained high, ranging from 30.7% to 33.8% (M4-M8).…”

“…However, in the United Kingdom and Switzerland, a decrease in anxiety levels has been observed in the general population 20 weeks after the lockdown [15] and in university students near the end of the first infection wave after 6 weeks [23], suggesting a habituation to the threatening situation. In contrast, Généreux et al found that the prevalence of anxiety symptoms in the Swiss adult population remained stable between May and November 2020 [24]. Furthermore, several recent studies raise concerns for the mental health of younger people [24][25][26][27][28][29], particularly university students [30][31][32][33], who appear to be more vulnerable to depression and anxiety symptoms.…”

“…In contrast, Généreux et al found that the prevalence of anxiety symptoms in the Swiss adult population remained stable between May and November 2020 [24]. Furthermore, several recent studies raise concerns for the mental health of younger people [24][25][26][27][28][29], particularly university students [30][31][32][33], who appear to be more vulnerable to depression and anxiety symptoms. Similarly, healthcare workers [25,27,[34][35][36][37][38][39] were at high risk of mental illness.…”

The Dark Triad of Personality’s Relationship with Compliance towards COVID-19 Pandemic Recommendations along with Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Polish Citizens

“…Soon after the outbreak of COVID-19, Galea [29] claimed that it is necessary to introduce measures aimed at the prevention of mental health problems during the pandemic. Previous measures such as telepsychology, improving access to information, and financial support [27] seem to be insufficient because the prevalence of mental disorders keep rising [30]. Special care should be provided for particularly vulnerable groups (medical care workers, children, students, psychiatric patients) [27].…”

Vulnerability to misinformation and Covid-19 infodemic in French-speaking Belgium (French version)

“…Ces proportions relativement similaires laissent penser qu'en termes d'utilisateurs fréquents des réseaux sociaux l'étude CoviCom, malgré son mode de recrutement, n'est pas trop éloignée des pratiques réelles de la population francophone. De premiers résultats de cette étude ont été publiés dansGénéreux et al 2021.…”