Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health: An international study
Authors
Gloster, A. T., Lamnisos, D., Lubenko, J., Presti, G., Squatrito, V., Constantinou, M., Nicolaou, C., Papacostas, S., Aydın, G., Chong, Y. Y., Chien, W. T., Cheng, H. Y., Ruiz, F. J., Garcia-Martin, M. B., Obando-Posada, D. P., Segura-Vargas, M. A., Vasiliou, V. S., McHugh, L., Höfer, S., Baban, A., Dias Neto, D., Nunes da Silva, A., Monestès, J. L., Alvarez-Galvez, J., Paez-Blarrina, M., Montesinos, F., Valdivia-Salas, S., Ori, D., Kleszcz, B., Lappalainen, R., Ivanović, I., Gosar, D., Dionne, F., Merwin, R. M., Kassianos, A. P., Karekla, M.
Journal
PLoS ONE
Abstract
International study (n=9,565 from 78 countries) assessing stress, depression, affect, and well-being during COVID-19 lockdowns. Found that ~10% showed severe mental difficulties and ~50% moderate levels. Consistent predictors of poorer mental health: financial worsening, lack of supplies, lower social support, lower education, and rigidity in response style; psychological flexibility was associated with better outcomes. Recommends targeting interventions to people without social support and with economic losses.