Dataset Information

Stressful events as correlates of depressive and PTSD symptoms in Hong Kong women during social unrest and COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Stressors at the population level affect women more than men. The influence of prolonged stressors on mental disorders in women is yet unknown, especially when social movements and pandemics coexist.

Methods

This study analysed data from an online mental health self-help service for women in Hong Kong between May and September 2020. We collected demographic data, PTSD symptoms, and exposure to social unrest-related traumatic events (TEs), pandemic-related traumatic events (PEs), and personal stressful life experiences (SLEs). Multiple logistic regression was performed to examine the links between TEs, PEs, and SLEs and PTSD.

Results

The study found that 38.4% of 751 women had moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms and 23.8% had probable PTSD. The most common TEs, PEs, and SLEs were violence via media, major physical health concerns, and plans thwarted due to COVID-19, respectively. Younger age, less education, unemployment, and more stressors (individually or collectively, except for high TEs and PEs) were linked to increased odds of moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms. TEs and PEs increased the risk of probable PTSD only when SLEs were present.

Limitation

The non-random samplinging procedure reduced the generalisability to the entire women population.

Conclusions

Exposure to social conflicts and pandemics may increase depressive and PTSD symptoms in women. Developing mental health services for women should consider the impact of concurrent major events.

SUBMITTER: Wong SMY

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9754668 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Stressful events as correlates of depressive and PTSD symptoms in Hong Kong women during social unrest and COVID-19 pandemic.

Wong Stephanie Ming Yin SMY Wong Charlotte Wan Chi CWC Hui Christy Lai Ming CLM Chan Sherry Kit Wa SKW Lee Edwin Ho Ming EHM Chang Wing Chung WC Suen Yi Nam YN Chen Eric Yu Hai EYH

Journal of affective disorders 20220103

<h4>Background</h4>Stressors at the population level affect women more than men. The influence of prolonged stressors on mental disorders in women is yet unknown, especially when social movements and pandemics coexist.<h4>Methods</h4>This study analysed data from an online mental health self-help service for women in Hong Kong between May and September 2020. We collected demographic data, PTSD symptoms, and exposure to social unrest-related traumatic events (TEs), pandemic-related traumatic even ...[more]

PMID: 34990624

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Project description:BackgroundHong Kong is among the many populations that has experienced the combined impacts of social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite concerns about further deteriorations in youth mental health globally, few epidemiological studies have been conducted to examine the prevalence and correlates of major depressive episode (MDE) and other major psychiatric disorders across periods of population-level changes using diagnostic interviews.MethodsWe conducted a territory-wide household-based epidemiological study from 2019 to 2022 targeting young people aged 15-24 years. MDE, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), and bipolar disorder (BD) were assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Screening Scales in 3340 young people. Psychotic disorders were assessed by experienced psychiatrists according to the DSM. Help-seeking patterns were also explored.Findings16.6% had any mental disorder (13.7% 12-month MDE, 2.3% BD, 2.1% GAD, 1.0% PD, 0.6% psychotic disorder). The prevalence of MDE increased from 13.2% during period 1 (May 2019-June 2020) to 18.1% during period 2 (July-December 2020), followed by 14.0% during period 3 (January-June 2021) and 13.2% during period 4 (July 2021-June 2022). Different stressors uniquely contributed to MDE across periods: social unrest-related stressors during period 1, COVID-19 stressors during period 2, and personal stressors during periods 3-4. Lower resilience, loneliness, frequent nightmares, and childhood adversity were consistently associated with MDE. Compared to other conditions, those with MDE showed the lowest service utilisation rate (16.7%). Perceiving services to "cost too much" and "talked to friends or relatives instead" were among the major reasons for not seeking help. MDE was also significantly associated with poorer functioning and health-related quality of life.InterpretationMDE can be sensitive to population-level changes, although its persistently elevated prevalence across the study period is of concern. Efforts to mitigate their impacts on youth mental health alongside personal risk factors are needed. Further work is required to increase the availability and acceptability of youth-targeted mental health services.FundingFood and Health Bureau (HKSAR Government).

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Dataset Information

Stressful events as correlates of depressive and PTSD symptoms in Hong Kong women during social unrest and COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

Methods

Results

Limitation

Conclusions

Publications

Stressful events as correlates of depressive and PTSD symptoms in Hong Kong women during social unrest and COVID-19 pandemic.

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