Abstract
Background: We assessed the mental health of individuals in the general population, during an initial period of easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the Republic of Ireland (RoI). Methods: Data were collected through a nationally representative cross-sectional telephone survey, during the first period of easing of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic between May and July 2020. Mental health was examined using the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety Depression Scale. Poisson regression analyses were conducted to estimate risk ratios with robust variance estimation of the association between selected demographic factors and the risk of having depression and anxiety symptoms. Results: Of the 1,983 participants, 27.7% (n = 549; 95% CI: 0.26 - 0.30) reported depression and anxiety symptoms, while 74 (3.8%; 95% CI: 0.03 - 0.05) disclosed self-harm and/or suicidal thoughts. Females (RR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.37 - 1.87, p < 0.0005), employed individuals who experienced a change in work status (RR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.24 - 1.82, p < 0.0005), participants cocooning due to a health condition (RR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.08 - 1.66, p< 0.01), participants who were self-isolating (RR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.03 - 1.51, p=0.025) and moderate-heavy drinkers (RR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.09 - 1.47, p<0.01) were at increased risk of depression and anxiety. Young people aged 18-29 years and those in the two lowest income categories were most likely to report self-harm and/or suicidal thoughts. Conclusion: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, with further waves and associated restrictions, the impact on mental health in the population as a whole and in specific subgroups must be considered. Study protocol registration: doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13103.2.
Highlights
Since the appearance of the coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) and the declaration of a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation in March 2020, individuals and societies have endured ongoing health and social impacts
Females (RR: 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.37 - 1.87, p < 0.0005), employed individuals who experienced a change in work status (RR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.24 - 1.82, p < 0.0005), participants cocooning due to a health condition (RR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.08 - 1.66, p< 0.01), participants who were self-isolating (RR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.03 - 1.51, p=0.025) and moderate-heavy drinkers (RR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.09 - 1.47, p
This article is included in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) collection
Summary
Since the appearance of the coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) and the declaration of a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation in March 2020, individuals and societies have endured ongoing health and social impacts. Like other Western European countries, the Republic of Ireland (RoI) implemented, with high levels of public compliance, a range of restrictive public health measures in March 2020 to contain the spread of COVID-192. These measures included closure of schools and third-level institutes, travel restrictions and physical distancing (see extended data). In a study conducted in RoI on 31st March 2020 immediately after the announcement of social restrictions, it was found that 20.0 – 22.7% of participants had self-reported symptoms of depression or anxiety[10]. No study has yet assessed the mental health of individuals in the general population during the period of easing of restrictions in the RoI (May to July 2020). We assessed the mental health of individuals in the version 1 general population, during an initial period of easing of COVID-19
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