Abstract
To examine the impact of relationship status on levels of stress, anxiety, and depression during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to identify relationship status groups who are at greater risk of mental health difficulties. The sample was drawn from individuals who subscribed to the Text4Hope program, a cognitive behavioral therapy inspired text messaging service developed to support Albertans during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey link was sent to the subscribers to ascertain their relationship status and assess psychopathology using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Data analysis was carried out using SPSS-26 for descriptive statistics. Within the first 6 weeks of the pandemic, 8267 of 44·992 subscribers responded to the online survey giving a response rate of 19.4%. Mean scores on the PSS, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 were highest among those who were single and lowest among those who were widowed. Overall, mean scores on the PHQ-9 were higher in groups whoself-identified as separated or divorced when compared with groups who identified as having partners, including the categories of married or cohabiting. Relationship status during the COVID-19 pandemic has an influence on the mental health of individuals. Our findings highlight relationship groups at risk of mental health problems during the pandemic and for whom treatments and mitigation should be targeted.
Highlights
BackgroundSince its discovery in Wuhan China, coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly across the world in a few months (Oud et al 2019)
Self-isolation is the sequestration of individuals who have been diagnosed with a contagious disease from those who are not sick (Brooks et al 2020, Manuell & Cukor, 2010), while quarantine is the separation and limitation of movement of individuals who have potentially been exposed to a contagious disease to see whether they become unwell, thereby reducing the risk of infection to others (Williams & Potts, 2010; Taha et al 2014)
The present study examines the impact of relationship status on reports of stress, anxiety, and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Canadian cohort
Summary
BackgroundSince its discovery in Wuhan China, coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly across the world in a few months (Oud et al 2019). The pandemic leaves in its wake a significant death toll, worsening economic indices, and increased global disease burden (Gautam & Sharma, 2020) This trail of devastation has caused governments to take unprecedented actions to curb the spread of this novel disease, including partial shutdown of the economy, physical distancing, and quarantine (Abba-Aji et al 2020; Nwachukwu et al 2020). Self-isolation is the sequestration of individuals who have been diagnosed with a contagious disease from those who are not sick (Brooks et al 2020, Manuell & Cukor, 2010), while quarantine is the separation and limitation of movement of individuals who have potentially been exposed to a contagious disease to see whether they become unwell, thereby reducing the risk of infection to others (Williams & Potts, 2010; Taha et al 2014) These well-intentioned methods of managing a pandemic produce unintended consequences. While for single individuals, it may reduce access to previous supports, which may in turn increase their stress
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