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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

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16-08-2023 | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Research

Pandemic stressors and mental health indicators in eight countries

Authors: Salma M Abdalla, Shaffi Fazaludeen Koya, Samuel B. Rosenberg, Isaac B. Stovall, Olivia Biermann, Zahra Zeinali, Gregory H. Cohen, Catherine K. Ettman, Sandro Galea

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 4/2024

Abstract

Purpose

The Covid-19 pandemic has exacted a significant physical, financial, social, and emotional toll on populations throughout the world. This study aimed to document the association between pandemic stressors and mental health during the pandemic across countries that differ in cultural, geographic, economic, and demographic factors.

Methods

We administered an online survey randomly in Brazil, China, Germany, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, and the United States from September 2020 to November 2020. This survey included questions on Covid-19-related stressors as well as the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and the Primary Care PTSD Checklist to screen for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, respectively. We performed bivariable and multivariable regression analyses to assess the prevalence and odds ratios of overall depression symptoms and probable PTSD and in relation to stressors across countries.

Results

Among 8754 respondents, 28.9% (95% CI 27.5–30.0%) experienced depression symptoms, and 5.1% (95% CI 4.5–6.0%) experienced probable PTSD. The highest prevalence of depression symptoms was in Egypt (41.3%, 95% CI 37.6–45.0%) and lowest in the United States (24.9%, 95% CI 22.3–27.7%). The highest prevalence of probable PTSD was in Brazil (7.3%, 95% CI 5.6–9.4%) and the lowest in China (1.2%, 95% CI 0.7–2.0%). Overall, experiencing six or more Covid-19-related stressors was associated with both depression symptoms (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.46–2.48) and probable PTSD (OR 13.8, 95% CI 9.66–19.6).

Conclusion

The association between pandemic related stressors and the burden of adverse mental health indicators early in the Covid-19 pandemic transcended geographic, economic, cultural, and demographic differences between countries. The short-term and long-term impacts of the pandemic on mental health should be incorporated in efforts to tackle the consequences of Covid-19.

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Title: Pandemic stressors and mental health indicators in eight countries
Authors: Salma M Abdalla
Shaffi Fazaludeen Koya
Samuel B. Rosenberg
Isaac B. Stovall
Olivia Biermann
Zahra Zeinali
Gregory H. Cohen
Catherine K. Ettman
Sandro Galea
Publication date: 16-08-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
COVID-19
Mood Disorders
Affective Disorder
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 4/2024
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-023-02541-w

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Pandemic stressors and mental health indicators in eight countries

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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