Change in mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study of residents of Indian metropolitan cities.
J Ment Health
; 32(5): 879-889, 2023 Oct.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36891873
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Initial studies have reported an increase in the incidence of mental health problems during the early months of COVID-19. Longitudinal studies of changes in mental health undertaken in Low and Middle Income countries during the pandemic remains an under-researched area.AIMS:
The current study examines changes in mental health among adult residents of metropolitan cities of India, a middle-income country reporting the second-highest COVID cases and third-highest fatalities, during the pandemic.METHOD:
Data was collected, based on a telephonic survey using the internationally accepted abridged Depression Anxiety Stress schedule (DASS-21), in August and September 2020 and July-August 2021. The sample size is 994. The data was analysed using an ordered logit model.RESULTS:
At the onset of the pandemic, high levels of anxiety, stress and depression prevailed; their levels reduced after one year. Respondents who have experienced a decline in economic fortunes, have family members with pre-existing co-morbidity or had COVID in the family are significantly less likely to report improvement in mental health; less-educated respondents are also vulnerable.CONCLUSIONS:
Specific sub-groups, identified as at risk, need monitoring and continued provisioning of tailor-made mental health services addressing their specific needs. Relief measures targeting economically affected households are also required.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Saúde Mental
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Ment Health
Assunto da revista:
PSICOLOGIA
/
PSIQUIATRIA
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Índia