Does COVID-19 vaccination improve mental health? A difference-in-difference analysis of the Understanding Coronavirus in America study.

ABSTRACT: Mental health problems increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowledge that one is less at risk after being vaccinated may alleviate distress, but this hypothesis remains unexplored. Here we test whether psychological distress declined in those vaccinated against COVID-19 in the US and whether changes in perceived risk mediated any association. A nationally-representative cohort of U.S. adults (N=5,792) in the Understanding America Study were interviewed every two weeks from March 2020 to June 2021 (28 waves). Difference-in-difference regression tested whether getting vaccinated reduced distress (PHQ-4 scores), with mediation analysis used to identify potential mechanisms, including perceived risks of infection, hospitalization, and death. Vaccination was associated with a 0.09 decline i

SUBMITTER: Koltai J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8328069 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature