1 in 3 adults is depressed or anxious because of COVID-19

One in three adults suffers from COVID-19-related anxiety and depression, a new study shows.

The finding is particularly true for women, younger adults, and those with lower socioeconomic status, the researchers report.

COVID-19 continues to pose significant risks to public health worldwide, and interventions such as locks, quarantine, and social distance adversely affect mental well-being.

The pandemic has increased the burden of psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and insomnia. However, it is not yet known what factors are associated with increased susceptibility to psychological distress among adults in the general population during COVID-19.

“Understanding these factors is critical to the design of protection programs and the design of mental health facilities during the rapidly changing COVID-19 revolution,” said lead author Tazeen Jafar, senior professor in Duke-NUS’s Health Services and Systems Research Program, who led the study. “These factors could be used to identify populations at high risk of psychological distress so that they can be offered remote targeted interventions. ”

For the study, published in PLOS ONE, the researchers meta-analyzed 68 studies conducted during the pandemic, involving 288,830 participants from 19 countries, to assess risk factors associated with anxiety and depression.

They found that among the people most affected by COVID-19-related anxiety or depression are women, younger adults, people with lower socioeconomic status, those who are living in rural areas, and those at high risk of COVID-19 infection are more likely to experience psychological distress.

The finding that women are more likely to suffer psychological distress than men is consistent with other global studies that have shown that anxiety and depression are more common in women.

“The lower social status of women and less access to healthcare compared to men may be due to the negative social impact on women,” the researchers say. praise. “Therefore, outreach programs for mental health services need to be actively targeted at women.”

Younger adults, aged 35 and under, were more likely to suffer psychological distress than those over 35. Although the reasons for this are not clear, previous studies have suggested that this may be due to increased access. younger people have access to COVID-19 information through the media. The study also confirms that longer exposure to the media was associated with increased anxiety and depression.

Other factors associated with psychological distress included living in rural areas; lower education, lower income, or unemployment; and be at high risk for COVID-19 infection. Stronger family and social support and the use of advanced treatment strategies reduced the risk of psychological distress.

“The public and health care professionals need to be aware of the high burden of psychological distress during the pandemic as well as education about treatment strategies,” Jafar says. “Patients need to be encouraged to seek help, and access mental health counseling services with appropriate references.”

“Even with the great advances in vaccination, the world has come to realize that the COVID-19 pandemic will be with us for the long haul,” said Peter Casey, professor and senior dean of research. “Professor Jafar’s study provides valuable insights into the psychological toll on populations around the world and highlights specific groups that could benefit from additional support, whether from the family. or from a healthcare provider. ”