Leanne C Findlay1, Rubab Arim2, Dafna Kohen1. 1. Health Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. 2. Social Analysis and Modelling Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: While the physical health implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are regularly publicly available, the mental health toll on Canadians is unknown. This article examines the self-perceived mental health of Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic and explores associations with various concerns after accounting for socioeconomic and health factors. DATA: The cross-sectional Canadian Perspectives Survey Series 1 collected information related to COVID-19 in late March and early April 2020 concerning labour market participation, behaviours, and health for the Canadian population 15 years and older living in the 10 provinces. METHODS: Socioeconomic and health characteristics of respondents as well as concerns about the impact of COVID-19 were examined to determine differences in experiencing excellent or very good compared to good, fair or poor perceived mental health. RESULTS: Just over half of Canadians aged 15 and older (54%) reported excellent or very good mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several concerns were also associated with mental health. Notably, after considering the effects of socioeconomic and health characteristics, women, youth, individuals with a physical health condition and those who were very or extremely concerned with family stress from confinement were less likely to report excellent or very good mental health. DISCUSSION: These findings point to particular risks for lower perceived mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results highlight various concerns of Canadians which may be associated with mental health, in particular, family stress in the home.
BACKGROUND: While the physical health implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are regularly publicly available, the mental health toll on Canadians is unknown. This article examines the self-perceived mental health of Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic and explores associations with various concerns after accounting for socioeconomic and health factors. DATA: The cross-sectional Canadian Perspectives Survey Series 1 collected information related to COVID-19 in late March and early April 2020 concerning labour market participation, behaviours, and health for the Canadian population 15 years and older living in the 10 provinces. METHODS: Socioeconomic and health characteristics of respondents as well as concerns about the impact of COVID-19 were examined to determine differences in experiencing excellent or very good compared to good, fair or poor perceived mental health. RESULTS: Just over half of Canadians aged 15 and older (54%) reported excellent or very good mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several concerns were also associated with mental health. Notably, after considering the effects of socioeconomic and health characteristics, women, youth, individuals with a physical health condition and those who were very or extremely concerned with family stress from confinement were less likely to report excellent or very good mental health. DISCUSSION: These findings point to particular risks for lower perceived mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results highlight various concerns of Canadians which may be associated with mental health, in particular, family stress in the home.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; concerns; family stress; perceived mental health; social determinants of mental health
Authors: Sarah M Hutchison; Allison Watts; Anne Gadermann; Eva Oberle; Tim F Oberlander; Pascal M Lavoie; Louise C Mâsse Journal: J Affect Disord Rep Date: 2022-03-17
Authors: Alana K Ribarovska; Mark R Hutchinson; Quentin J Pittman; Carmine Pariante; Sarah J Spencer Journal: Brain Behav Immun Date: 2020-11-17 Impact factor: 7.217
Authors: Peng-Wei Wang; Nai-Ying Ko; Yu-Ping Chang; Chia-Fen Wu; Wei-Hsin Lu; Cheng-Fang Yen Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-09-18 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Murielle Mary-Krause; Joel José Herranz Bustamante; Mégane Héron; Astrid Juhl Andersen; Tarik El Aarbaoui; Maria Melchior Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-07-26 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Simon Marmet; Matthias Wicki; Gerhard Gmel; Céline Gachoud; Jean-Bernard Daeppen; Nicolas Bertholet; Joseph Studer Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-07-29 Impact factor: 3.240