The impact of reduced working on mental health in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from the Understanding Society COVID-19 study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated an unpredictable economic crisis, currently affecting daily life for millions of workers. We examined the mental health impact of reduced working in a nationally representative sample of employees.

Method

We used Wave one (April 2020) of the Understanding Society UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) COVID-19 study, with linkage to baseline mental health data from the UKHLS annual survey (January 2017- December 2018). Analysis was based on adults aged 18-65 who were employees in January/February 2020 (n=8,708), with psychological distress assessed using the GHQ-12. Logistic regression examined the mental health impact of reduced working and reasons for the reduction.

Results

Forty two percent of employees reported re

SUBMITTER: Ferry F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9754678 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature