Loneliness during the Covid-19 pandemic in Germany: Impact of social factors and polygenic risk scores on interpersonal differences in loneliness and mental health.
World J Biol Psychiatry
; 24(9): 838-848, 2023 Nov.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37334645
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
The outbreak of Covid-19 negatively affected mental health and increased loneliness. The subjective feeling of loneliness is influenced by genetic and social factors and has a negative impact on mental health.METHODS:
From March 2020 to June 2021 loneliness was investigated in N = 517 individuals using monthly acquired questionnaire data and Latent Growth Curve Analysis. Associations of social factors and polygenic risk scores (PRSs, n = 361) with class membership were investigated.RESULTS:
Three classes ("average", 40%; "not lonely", 38%; "elevated loneliness", 22%) were identified, that differ significantly regarding loneliness, mental dysfunction, and response to the lockdown phases. Individuals with a high PRS for neuroticism are more likely to belong to the "elevated loneliness" class, living with another person is a protective factor.CONCLUSION:
As the "elevated loneliness" class was at the highest risk of mental dysfunction, our findings underscore the importance of identifying those individuals to implement counteractive measures.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Mental Health
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspects:
Equity_inequality
/
Patient_preference
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
World J Biol Psychiatry
Journal subject:
PSIQUIATRIA
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Alemania