Predictors of mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic in the US: Role of economic concerns, health worries and social distancing.

ABSTRACT: Despite the profound health and economic implications of Covid-19, there is only limited knowledge to date about the role of economic concerns, health worries and social distancing for mental health outcomes during the pandemic. We analyze online survey data from the nationally representative "Understanding America Study" (UAS) covering the period of March 10-31st 2020 (sample size: 6,585). Mental health is assessed by the validated PHQ-4 instrument for measuring symptoms of depression and anxiety. About 29% (CI:27.4-.30.4%) of the US adult population reported some depression/anxiety symptoms over the study period, with symptoms deteriorating over the month of March. Worsening mental health was most strongly associated with concerns about the economic consequences of the pandemic, while co

SUBMITTER: Kampfen F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7657497 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature