Family caregiving and changes in mental health status in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a widespread significant impact on mental health. However, the effect of providing care to family members (informal caregiving) on changes in mental health status during the pandemic remains unclear.

Methods

Using cross-sectional data from a large internet survey conducted between August and September 2020, we investigated the association of informal caregiving status with the incidence of mental health deterioration (increased loneliness, self-reported deterioration in mental health, and new suicidal ideation) in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

Among 25,482 participants (mean age 48.8 [standard deviation 17.3]; 50.3% women), 2,500 (9.8%) were providing informal care during the pandemic. A

SUBMITTER: Taniguchi Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8497176 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan-Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature