Abstract
BackgroundSocial dislocations resulting from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have been prolonged, which has led to general population social suppression. The present study aimed to reveal risk factors associated with mental health problems and suggest concrete coping strategies in the context of COVID-19.MethodsA web-based survey was conducted in July when Japan was experiencing a second wave of COVID-19. Demographics, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), state anger, anger control, and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced were measured. Multivariate logistic regression analysis on PHQ-9 scores by set variables was conducted.ResultsThe participants were 2708 individuals, and 18.35% of them were depressed. Logistic regression analysis showed that in the order of odds ratios (ORs), underlying disease (OR = 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.32–2.92), not working (OR = 1.85, CI = 1.22–2.80), negative economic impact (OR = 1.33, CI = 1.01–1.77), state anger (OR = 1.17, CI = 1.14–1.21), anger control (OR = 1.08, CI = 1.04–1.13), age (OR = 0.97, CI = 0.96–0.98), high income (OR = 0.45, CI = 0.25–0.80), and being married (OR = 0.53, CI = 0.38–0.74) were predictors of depressive symptoms. Regarding coping strategies, planning (OR = 0.84, CI = 0.74–0.94), use of instrumental support (OR = 0.85, CI = 0.76–0.95), denial (OR = 0.88, CI = 0.77–0.99), behavioural disengagement (OR = 1.28, CI = 1.13–1.44), and self-blame (OR = 1.47, CI = 1.31–1.65) were associated with probable depression.ConclusionsDuring prolonged psychological distress caused by COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of depressive symptoms in Japan was two to nine times as high as before the COVID-19 pandemic, even though Japan was not a lockdown country. Although some coping strategies were useful for maintaining mental health, such as developing ways, alone or with others, to address or avoid social dislocations, the influence of demographics was more powerful than these coping strategies, and medical treatments are needed for high-risk individuals.
Highlights
Social dislocations resulting from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have been prolonged, which has led to general population social suppression
During prolonged psychological distress caused by COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of depressive symptoms in Japan was two to nine times as high as before the COVID-19 pandemic, even though Japan was not a lockdown country
Some coping strategies were useful for maintaining mental health, such as developing ways, alone or with others, to address or avoid social dislocations, the influence of demographics was more powerful than these coping strategies, and medical treatments are needed for high-risk individuals
Summary
Social dislocations resulting from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have been prolonged, which has led to general population social suppression. The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the resulting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused social dislocations, that is, more than 100 countries had been locked down, and many other countries had restricted a person’s activities and movements to prevent the spread of infection [2]. Social dislocations influence mental health among the general population. Despite no lockdown in Hong Kong, 19% of the general population had depression, and 25.4% reported that their mental health had deteriorated [9]
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