Anxiety, depression and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from a cross-sectional survey
Open accessAbstract
Background Multiple survey studies have demonstrated a mental health (MH) burden of COVID-19 globally. However, few studies have examined relevant risk factors for pandemic-related MH issues.Methods A link to an online survey was posted from April 8th - June 11th, 2020 which included questions regarding COVID-19 experience, perceived impact of the pandemic on life domains (e.g., social communication, finances), behavioural alterations (e.g., online activities, substance use), and MH treatment history. Current psychiatric symptom severity and impairment were evaluated using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Perceived Stress Scale.Results Overall, 632 individuals (82% female, mean age:42.04 ± 16.56) in Canada and the United States completed the survey. While few reported contracting COVID-19 (0.5%), the impact of the pandemic was evident, with a vast majority reporting anxiety around COVID-19 infecting loved ones (88%). Almost half (43%) reported previous MH treatment and 31% met criteria for GAD, 29% for MDD and 63% reported significantly high levels of stress. Female sex, younger age and past MH treatment emerged as significant predictors of these issues(p < .01). Age-related differences in the impact of COVID-19 on life domains, substance use, and online activity were also noted.Conclusion The findings from the current sample add to the growing literature suggesting negative effects of COVID-19 on MH, while highlighting specific risk factors. Age may be an important factor in predicting MH during this pandemic.
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- Authors
- Turna, J., Zhang, J., Lamberti, N., Patterson, B., Simpson, W., Francisco, A. P., Bergmann, C. G., & Ameringen, M. V.
- Affiliations
- Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research (CA)
- McMaster University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Ameringen, Michael Van
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Psychiatric Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2021-05
- Volume
- 137
- Pages
- 96-103
- ISSN
- 0022-3956 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC8548032
- OpenAlex
- W3135164656
- Cited by
- 138
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 14
- FWCI
- 19.44
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- europepmc.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Psychiatric Research (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Keywords
- COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety, depression, perceived stress, mental health, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, risk factors, age differences, sex differences, substance use, online activities, social communication, financial impact, Canada, United States
- MeSH terms
- Internet Use, COVID-19, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, Canada, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Stress, Psychological, Substance-Related Disorders, Young Adult, Pandemics
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