A1 Journal article (refereed)
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health : An international study (2020)
Gloster, A. T., Lamnisos, D., Lubenko, J., Presti, G., Squatrito, V., Constantinou, M., Nicolaou, C., Papacostas, S., Aydın, G., Chong, Y. Y., Chien, W. T., Cheng, H. Y., Ruiz, F. J., Garcia-Martin, M. B., Obando-Posada, D. P., Segura-Vargas, M. A., Vasiliou, V. S., McHugh, L., Höfer, S., . . . Karekla, M. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health : An international study. PLoS ONE, 15(12), Article e0244809. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244809
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Gloster, Andrew T.; Lamnisos, Demetris; Lubenko, Jelena; Presti, Giovambattista; Squatrito, Valeria; Constantinou, Marios; Nicolaou, Christiana; Papacostas, Savvas; Aydın, Gökçen; Chong, Yuen Yu; et al.
Journal or series: PLoS ONE
eISSN: 1932-6203
Publication year: 2020
Publication date: 31/12/2020
Volume: 15
Issue number: 12
Article number: e0244809
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication country: United States
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244809
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/73589
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered vast governmental lockdowns. The impact of these lockdowns on mental health is inadequately understood. On the one hand such drastic changes in daily routines could be detrimental to mental health. On the other hand, it might not be experienced negatively, especially because the entire population was affected.
Methods
The aim of this study was to determine mental health outcomes during pandemic induced lockdowns and to examine known predictors of mental health outcomes. We therefore surveyed n = 9,565 people from 78 countries and 18 languages. Outcomes assessed were stress, depression, affect, and wellbeing. Predictors included country, sociodemographic factors, lockdown characteristics, social factors, and psychological factors.
Results
Results indicated that on average about 10% of the sample was languishing from low levels of mental health and about 50% had only moderate mental health. Importantly, three consistent predictors of mental health emerged: social support, education level, and psychologically flexible (vs. rigid) responding. Poorer outcomes were most strongly predicted by a worsening of finances and not having access to basic supplies.
Conclusions
These results suggest that on whole, respondents were moderately mentally healthy at the time of a population-wide lockdown. The highest level of mental health difficulties were found in approximately 10% of the population. Findings suggest that public health initiatives should target people without social support and those whose finances worsen as a result of the lockdown. Interventions that promote psychological flexibility may mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
Keywords: mental health; depression (mental disorders); COVID-19; pandemics; international comparison
Free keywords: psychological stress; depression; mental health; COVID 19; pandemics
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2020
JUFO rating: 1
