Mental Wellbeing and Psychological Distress in the UK During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison Across Time

Abstract

Background: Studies conducted shortly after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated decreased mental health and wellbeing within the UK. However, it is still unclear whether the continued crisis has produced a further reduction in population wellbeing.Methods: This study assessed the trajectory of wellbeing and psychological distress in a UK population by comparing data from the first (March 2020-July 2020) and second (December 2020-March 2021) UK lockdowns. Wellbeing (indexed via the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale) and psychological distress (indexed via the K10) were measured in two surveys in large online convenience samples from Wales, UK. The first survey (n = 12,989) took place 11-16 weeks into the first UK lockdown (9th June to 13th July 2020) and the second survey (n = 10,428) took place 4-11 weeks into the second UK lockdown (18th January to 7th March 2021).Outcomes: Levels of wellbeing were lower in the second survey (2021) compared to the first survey (2020), which were already low compared to pre-pandemic data (2019). Clinically significant levels of psychological distress were found in 40.4% of participants in the second survey, representing a 9.8% increase in prevalence from the first survey. Poorer mental health was found in women, younger adults, and those from deprived areas. The greatest reduction in mental health was found in the youngest age group (16-24 years old), where significant levels of psychological distress were found in 66.3% of individuals, compared to 16.4% in the oldest age group (75+ years old).Interpretation: The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to curb its spread continue to negatively impact the wellbeing of the UK population.Funding: None.Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at the College of Health and Human Sciences, Swansea University.