Abstract
Adults with disabilities, a group including >25% of U.S. adults (1), experience higher levels of mental health and substance use conditions and lower treatment rates than do adults without disabilities* (2,3). Survey data collected during April-September 2020 revealed elevated adverse mental health symptoms among adults with disabilities (4) compared with the general adult population (5). Despite disproportionate risk for infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and COVID-19-associated hospitalization and mortality among some adults with disabilities (6), information about mental health and substance use in this population during the pandemic is limited. To identify factors associated with adverse mental health symptoms and substance use among adults with disabilities, the COVID-19 Outbreak Public Evaluation (COPE) Initiative† administered nonprobability-based Internet surveys to 5,256 U.S. adults during February-March 2021 (response rate=62.1%). Among 5,119 respondents who completed a two-item disability screener, nearly one third (1,648; 32.2%) screened as adults with disabilities. These adults more frequently experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression (56.6% versus 28.7%, respectively), new or increased substance use (38.8% versus 17.5%), and suicidal ideation (30.6% versus 8.3%) than did adults without disabilities. Among all adults who had received a diagnosis of mental health or substance use conditions, adults with disabilities more frequently (42.6% versus 35.3%; p <0.001) reported that the pandemic made it harder for them to access related care or medication. Enhanced mental health and substance use screening among adults with disabilities and improved access to medical services are critical during public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Highlights
All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest
Among adults with a diagnosis of mental health or substance use conditions, adults with disabilities more frequently (43% versus 35%) reported pandemic-related difficulty accessing related care and medications
Rajaratnam reports an institutional grant paid to Monash University from the Cooperative Research Centre for Alertness, Safety and Productivity; consulting fees paid to Monash University from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd, Australia and Ukraine, Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc., BHP Billiton, and Herbert Smith Freehils; patent PTC/AU2021/050126 for Systems and Methods for Monitoring and Control of Sleep Patterns; and institutional consultancy fees from Circadian Therapeutics
Summary
Two thirds of surveyed adults with disabilities (who represented approximately 32% of the sample) reported adverse mental health symptoms or substance use in early 2021, compared with approximately one third of adults without disabilities. Prevalence of symptoms of anxiety or depression, substance use, and suicidal ideation among adults with disabilities, by disability status and other characteristics — United States, February 16–March 8, 2021. (Continued) Prevalence of symptoms of anxiety or depression, substance use, and suicidal ideation among adults with disabilities, by disability status and other characteristics — United States, February 16–March 8, 2021. *** Adults who were in parental or unpaid caregiving roles were self-identified For this analysis, the definition of unpaid caregivers of adults was having provided unpaid care to a relative or friend ≥18 years to help them take care of themselves at any time during the 3 months before the survey. The definition of someone in a parental role was having provided unpaid care to a relative or friend
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
