The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment-seeking veterans in the United Kingdom with preexisting mental health difficulties: A longitudinal study.

Abstract

Individuals with preexisting psychological difficulties are at risk of further deterioration of their mental well‐being during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This longitudinal study, conducted during the period between two national lockdowns, aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on veterans in the United Kingdom with preexisting mental health difficulties. Treatment‐seeking veterans with preexisting mental health difficulties (N = 95) were surveyed in two waves. Wave 1 was conducted at the end of the first lockdown (June 2020–July 2020), and Wave 2 took place during the second lockdown (November 2020). Participants completed measures to assess symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); common mental health difficulties (CMDs), including anxiety and depression; anger; and alcohol use. Initial analyses revealed no significant changes in symptoms of PTSD, CMDs, anger, or alcohol use between the lockdowns, ps = .247–.986. However, veterans who experienced more COVID‐19–related stressors were more likely to experience increases in PTSD, odds ratio (OR) = 6.30, p = .002, and CMD symptoms, OR = 4.32, p = .025. Participants with lower levels of social support during the second lockdown were more likely to experience increased anger difficulties, OR = 0.91, p = .025. The findings suggest that although mental health among veterans in the United Kingdom may have remained relatively stable between the two lockdowns, those who reported more COVID‐related stressors and lower levels of social support may have been particularly vulnerable to symptom exacerbation. Such findings hold important implications for tailoring support for veterans during the COVID‐19 pandemic.