The role of pre-pandemic depression for changes in depression, anxiety, and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from a longitudinal probability sample of adults from Germany.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The present study aims to delineate the role of preexisting depression for changes in common mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Using mixed-effects linear regression models, we analyzed data on the course of depressive (Patient Health Questionnaire-2) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2) symptoms as well as loneliness (three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale) in a subset of the Socio-Economic Panel Study, a large and nationally representative household panel study from Germany. Participants were assessed during the first COVID-19 wave in Germany (March 31 to July 4, 2020; n = 6,694) and prospectively followed up at the peak of the second COVID-19 wave (January 18 to February 15, 2021; n = 6,038).

Results

Overall, anx

SUBMITTER: Benke C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9706309 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature