Abstract
Background: Individuals with physical or mental health conditions represent a vulnerable population, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, limited information is available concerning posttraumatic growth and common mental health symptoms of this vulnerable health group during COVID-19. Methods: An online cross-sectional study (STRONG study; psychological changes and effects after COVID-19 quarantine in Greece) was conducted from 28 September 2020 (no lockdown restrictions) to 2 November 2020, just before the second lockdown in Greece. Main outcomes were depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as posttraumatic growth. Results: A total of 860 adults participated in the study. A high proportion of participants did not report any pre-existing health condition (61%), while 334 individuals reported one or more physical or mental health conditions. Overall, 20.2% of the participants reported significant depressive symptoms, and 27.9% reported moderate to high posttraumatic growth. The presence of physical and mental health conditions, either as single diagnosis or as a multimorbidity, was significantly associated with the development of depressive symptomatology (either physical or mental health conditions: OR = 1.12; 95% CI, 1.07–1.17, p < 0.001; both physical and mental health conditions: OR = 1.23; 95% CI, 1.14–1.33, p < 0.001). Posttraumatic growth did not differ between those with or without any pre-existing health issue. Conclusions: Although having a physical or/and a mental health condition predicted the development of depressive symptomatology in a post-lockdown period, the presence of pre-existing conditions was not associated with posttraumatic growth development. Clinicians should be aware of depressive symptoms among their multimorbid patients, even after exiting lockdown.
Highlights
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the pandemic COVID-19 in March2020
The main practical implication of our study is that clinicians should be aware of depressive symptoms in patients with physical and mental health conditions during COVID-19 pandemic and especially after lockdown measures are lifted
Given the frequent contact that those with physical and mental health multimorbidity have with primary care health settings, attention should be given to clinicians, as they may be able to detect the progression of further mental illness symptomatology among multimorbid patients
Summary
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the pandemic COVID-19 in March2020. The Greek government implemented restrictive measures and a national lockdown on 23 March lasting until 4 May. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the pandemic COVID-19 in March. During the COVID-19 crisis, most studies focused on the psychological impact of the pandemic and quarantines, with limited attention on countries with health inequities or vulnerable populations, such as those with multiple health conditions (e.g., diabetes mellitus, malignancy, cardiovascular diseases, depression, etc.) [2,3,4]. Studies have mainly revealed a high prevalence of anxiety and depression, especially among those with pre-existing health 4.0/). Individuals with physical or mental health conditions represent a vulnerable population, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Limited information is available concerning posttraumatic growth and common mental health symptoms of this vulnerable health group during COVID-19. Main outcomes were depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as posttraumatic growth
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