Prevalence, Demographic, and Clinical Correlates of Likely PTSD in Subscribers of Text4Hope during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Reham Shalaby,Shireen Surood,Ejemai Eboreime,Wesley Vuong,Andrew J Greenshaw,Medard K Adu,Vincent I O Agyapong,April Gusnowski,Taelina Andreychuk

doi:10.3390/ijerph18126227

Abstract

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, people may experience increased risk of adverse mental health, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods: A survey measured stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms in Text4Hope subscribers using the Perceived Stress Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 Part 3, respectively. A Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were employed. Results: Most respondents were 41–60 years old (49.5%), Caucasian (83.3%), with post-secondary education (92.1%), employed (70.3%), married/cohabiting/partnered (64.9%), and homeowners (71.7%). Likely PTSD was reported in 46.8% of the respondents. Those who were afraid to contract the coronavirus had a history of depression before the pandemic, and those who received counselling during the pandemic exhibited a high prevalence of likely PTSD (OR (1.7 to 2.2)). Significant lower odds of likely PTSD were observed among subscribers who received absolute support from family/friends. Conclusions: This paper presents findings on the prevalence of likely PTSD and identified vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results support the proposal that public health advice should incorporate mental health wellness campaigns aiming to reduce the psychological impact of pandemics.

Highlights

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined as “the development of symptoms related to intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions, mood, and arousal and reactivity following exposure to a traumatic event” [1]
This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, demographic, and clinical correlates of likely PTSD in subscribers of “Text4Hope,” an intervention developed at the peak of the first wave of the pandemic to reduce the psychological treatment gap and mitigate anxiety and stress related to the COVID-19 crisis among Canadians [19]
Based on factors previously examined [5,13], we were interested in examining the different factors that may lead to the outcome of likely PTSD

Summary

Introduction

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined as “the development of symptoms related to intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions, mood, and arousal and reactivity following exposure to a traumatic event” [1]. Such events may include natural disasters, a serious traffic accident, terrorist act, conflict, or sexual assault, among others [2]. Universal population studies indicate that 28% to 90% of people in high-income countries have been exposed to at least one traumatic event in their course of life; the most frequent events are unanticipated bereavement, road traffic accidents, and physical assault [4,5] Despite this high exposure to stressors, the prevalence of PTSD ranges from

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