Dataset Information

Trajectories of Mental Distress Among U.S. Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cross-sectional studies have found that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively affected population-level mental health. Longitudinal studies are necessary to examine trajectories of change in mental health over time and identify sociodemographic groups at risk for persistent distress.

Purpose

To examine the trajectories of mental distress between March 10 and August 4, 2020, a key period during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Participants included 6,901 adults from the nationally representative Understanding America Study, surveyed at baseline between March 10 and 31, 2020, with nine follow-up assessments between April 1 and August 4, 2020. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to examine the association between date and self-reported mental distress (measured with the four-item Patient Health Questionnaire) among U.S. adults overall and among sociodemographic subgroups defined by sex, age, race/ethnicity, household structure, federal poverty line, and census region.

Results

Compared to March 11, the odds of mental distress among U.S. adults overall were 1.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.65-2.07) times higher on April 1 and 1.92 (95% CI = 1.62-2.28) times higher on May 1; by August 1, the odds of mental distress had returned to levels comparable to March 11 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.66-0.96). Females experienced a sharper increase in mental distress between March and May compared to males (females: OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.85-2.82; males: OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.15-2.02).

Conclusions

These findings highlight the trajectory of mental health symptoms during an unprecedented pandemic, including the identification of populations at risk for sustained mental distress.

SUBMITTER: Riehm KE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7929474 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Trajectories of Mental Distress Among U.S. Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Riehm Kira E KE Holingue Calliope C Smail Emily J EJ Kapteyn Arie A Bennett Daniel D Thrul Johannes J Kreuter Frauke F McGinty Emma E EE Kalb Luther G LG Veldhuis Cindy B CB Johnson Renee M RM Fallin M Daniele MD Stuart Elizabeth A EA

Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine 20210301 2

<h4>Background</h4>Cross-sectional studies have found that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively affected population-level mental health. Longitudinal studies are necessary to examine trajectories of change in mental health over time and identify sociodemographic groups at risk for persistent distress.<h4>Purpose</h4>To examine the trajectories of mental distress between March 10 and August 4, 2020, a key period during the COVID-19 pandemic.<h4>Methods</h4>Participants ...[more]

PMID: 33555336

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Project description:ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate associations between mental distress and COVID-19-related changes in behavioral outcomes and potential modifiers (age, gender, educational attainment) of such associations.Study designThis was a cross-sectional study.MethodsAn online survey using anonymous network sampling was conducted in China from April to May 2020 using a 74-item questionnaire. A national sample of 10,545 adults in 31 provinces provided data on sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19-related mental distress, and changes in behavioral outcomes. Structural equation models were used for data analyses.ResultsAfter adjusting for covariates, greater mental distress was associated with increased smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-1.68 and OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.31-1.82 per one standard deviation [SD] increase in mental distress) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.45-1.92 and OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.24-1.75 per one SD increase in mental distress) among current smokers and drinkers and with both increased and decreased physical activity (ORs ranged from 1.32 to 1.56). Underweight adults were more likely to lose body weight (≥1 kg; OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.30-2.04), whereas overweight adults were more likely to gain weight (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.46-1.78) by the same amount. Association between mental distress and change in physical activity was stronger in adults aged ≥40 years (ORs ranged from 1.43 to 2.05) and those with high education (ORs ranged from 1.43 to 1.77). Mental distress was associated with increased smoking in males (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.37-1.87) but not females (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.82-1.51).ConclusionsGreater mental distress was associated with some positive and negative changes in behavioral outcomes during the pandemic. These findings inform the design of tailored public health interventions aimed to mitigate long-term negative consequences of mental distress on outcomes.

Dataset Information

Trajectories of Mental Distress Among U.S. Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Trajectories of Mental Distress Among U.S. Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Similar Datasets

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