Shuyan Liu1, Stephan Heinzel2, Matthias N Haucke1,2, Andreas Heinz1. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany. 2. Department of Education and Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic poses a challenge to global mental health. Loneliness and isolation may put people at higher risk for increased psychological distress. However, there is a lack of research investigating the development of COVID-19-related distress over time. Materials and Methods: We undertook an online survey among general population (N = 1903) in Germany throughout 6 months from the peak transmission period in April to the off-peak period by September 2020. Results: We found that the average prevalence of psychological distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic significantly rose from 24% to 66% between the peak and off-peak transmission period, respectively. Unemployment rate and loneliness increased negative mental health outcomes, although the number of active COVID-19 cases decreased from April to September. Psychological distress scores increased mostly in female, young, and lonely people. Conclusions: Our results underline the importance of considering innovative alternatives to facilitate employment opportunities, distant contacts, and self-help over the course of the pandemic. Our study highlights the urgent need to pay attention to mental health services specifically targeting female, young, unemployed, and lonely people.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic poses a challenge to global mental health. Loneliness and isolation may put people at higher risk for increased psychological distress. However, there is a lack of research investigating the development of COVID-19-related distress over time. Materials and Methods: We undertook an online survey among general population (N = 1903) in Germany throughout 6 months from the peak transmission period in April to the off-peak period by September 2020. Results: We found that the average prevalence of psychological distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic significantly rose from 24% to 66% between the peak and off-peak transmission period, respectively. Unemployment rate and loneliness increased negative mental health outcomes, although the number of active COVID-19 cases decreased from April to September. Psychological distress scores increased mostly in female, young, and lonely people. Conclusions: Our results underline the importance of considering innovative alternatives to facilitate employment opportunities, distant contacts, and self-help over the course of the pandemic. Our study highlights the urgent need to pay attention to mental health services specifically targeting female, young, unemployed, and lonely people.
Entities:
Keywords:
Sino-German assessment and evaluation; across cultures and over time; jobs and economic transformation; management in epidemics and pandemics; mental health and wellbeing; national and international survey; perceived social isolation; prevention policies; workforce recovery strategy
Authors: Manfred E Beutel; Eva M Klein; Elmar Brähler; Iris Reiner; Claus Jünger; Matthias Michal; Jörg Wiltink; Philipp S Wild; Thomas Münzel; Karl J Lackner; Ana N Tibubos Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2017-03-20 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Jonathan P Rogers; Edward Chesney; Dominic Oliver; Thomas A Pollak; Philip McGuire; Paolo Fusar-Poli; Michael S Zandi; Glyn Lewis; Anthony S David Journal: Lancet Psychiatry Date: 2020-05-18 Impact factor: 27.083
Authors: Kristina Adorjan; Oliver Pogarell; Lisa Pröbstl; Mike Rüb; Hauke Felix Wiegand; Oliver Tüscher; Klaus Lieb; Michael Wassiliwizky; Gabriel Gerlinger; Andreas Heinz; Peter Falkai Journal: Nervenarzt Date: 2021-05-18 Impact factor: 1.214
Authors: Manuel D S Hopp; Marion Händel; Svenja Bedenlier; Michaela Glaeser-Zikuda; Rudolf Kammerl; Bärbel Kopp; Albert Ziegler Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2022-01-13
Authors: Argyroula E Kalaitzaki; George Tsouvelas; Alexandra Tamiolaki; George Konstantakopoulos Journal: Int J Ment Health Nurs Date: 2021-10-17 Impact factor: 5.100