Abstract
Several countries, including India, imposed mandatory social distancing, quarantine, and lockdowns to stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Although these measures were effective in curbing the spread of the virus, prolonged social distancing, quarantine, and the resultant economic disruption led to an increase in financial stress and mental health concerns. Prior studies established a link between the first lockdown and an increase in mental health issues. However, few studies investigated the association between post-lockdown financial hardship, job loss, and mental health. In this study, we examined the association between COVID-19-related financial hardship, job loss, and mental health symptoms approximately nine months after the end of the first nationwide lockdown in India. Job loss was associated with higher reporting of mental health symptoms among men (aIRR = 1.16) while financial hardship was associated with poor mental health symptoms among women (aIRR = 1.29). Conversely, social support and government aid were associated with better mental health symptoms among women. Our findings highlight the need for financial assistance and job creation programs to aid families in the recovery process. There is also an urgent need for improving the availability and affordability of mental health services in rural areas.
Highlights
Financial hardship was associated with poor mental health symptoms among women whereas job loss was associated with poor mental health symptoms among men
Our results extend the understanding of these relationships by suggesting that financial hardship may tend to affect women’s mental health, while job loss may impact men’s mental health, aligning with findings from a systematic review that found that men were more likely to experience poor mental health as a result of unemployment as compared to women [31]
Our study presents evidence that highlights the association between financial stressors and mental health during a global pandemic
Summary
Several countries, including India, imposed mandatory social distancing, quarantine, and lockdowns to stop the spread of the virus While these measures were effective in curbing the spread of the virus, prolonged social distancing, quarantine, and the resultant economic disruption led to an increase in financial stress and mental health concerns [4,5]. A systematic review found high rates of symptoms of anxiety (6–51%), depression (15–48%), post-traumatic stress disorder (7–54%), psychological hardship (34–38%), and stress (8–82%) reported in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic in China, Spain, Italy, Iran, the United States, Turkey, Nepal, and Denmark [6]. Out of 19 studies conducted in India, only 8 surveyed the general population In these studies, the rates for anxiety ranged from 15 to 42% and depression ranged from 10 to 75% [7].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
