Anxiety, depression, traumatic stress and Covid-19-related anxiety in the UK general population during the Covid-19 pandemic

Bibliographic Data

ID23316490
AuthorsMark Shevlin (0000-0001-6262-5223, University of Ulster, corresponding author), Orla Mcbride (0000-0003-3399-9466, University of Ulster), Jamie Murphy (0000-0003-1821-0025, University of Ulster), Jilly Gibson-Miller (0000-0002-1864-4889, University of Sheffield), Jilly Gibson Miller, Todd K Hartman (0000-0001-9136-2784, University of Sheffield), Liat Levita (0000-0001-6002-6817, University of Sheffield), Liam Mason (0000-0003-3957-1436, University College London), Antón P Martínez (0000-0002-7318-1020, University of Sheffield), Ryan Mckay (0000-0001-7781-1539, Royal Holloway University of London), Thomas Victor Arthur Stocks (0000-0002-5386-6700, University of Sheffield), Kate M Bennett, Kate Bennett (0000-0003-3164-6894, University of Liverpool), Philip Hyland (0000-0002-9574-7128, National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Thanos Karatzias (0000-0002-3002-0630, Edinburgh Napier University), Richard P Bentall (0000-0001-7561-2923, University of Sheffield)
Year2020
Volume6
Issue6
Pagese125-e125
Publication date2020-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBJPsych Open (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2056-4724 • E-ISSN: 2056-4724
PublisherRoyal College of Psychiatrists (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1192/bjo.2020.109
PMID33070797
OpenAlexW3027170422
LanguageEN
Citations received150
References cited27

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented global crisis, necessitating drastic changes to living conditions, social life, personal freedom and economic activity. No study has yet examined the presence of psychiatric symptoms in the UK population under similar conditions. Aims We investigated the prevalence of COVID-19-related anxiety, generalised anxiety, depression and trauma symptoms in the UK population during an early phase of the pandemic, and estimated associations with variables likely to influence these symptoms. Method Between 23 and 28 March 2020, a quota sample of 2025 UK adults aged 18 years and older, stratified by age, gender and household income, was recruited by online survey company Qualtrics. Participants completed standardised measures of depression, generalised anxiety and trauma symptoms relating to the pandemic. Bivariate and multivariate associations were calculated for demographic and health-related variables. Results Higher levels of anxiety, depression and trauma symptoms were reported compared with previous population studies, but not dramatically so. Anxiety or depression and trauma symptoms were predicted by young age, presence of children in the home, and high estimates of personal risk. Anxiety and depression were also predicted by low income, loss of income and pre-existing health conditions in self and others. Specific anxiety about COVID-19 was greater in older participants. Conclusions This study showed a modest increase in the prevalence of mental health problems in the early stages of the pandemic, and these problems were predicted by several specific COVID-related variables. Further similar surveys, particularly of those with children at home, are required as the pandemic progresses.

Anxiety · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) · Depression (economics) · Disease · Environmental health · Mental health · Pandemic · Population · Psychiatry · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · COVID-19 epidemiological studies · Demography · Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 · Medicine · Psychology

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