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Distress in the time of COVID-19: Understanding the distinction between COVID-19 specific mental distress and depression among United States adults.
Schneider, Kristin E; Dayton, Lauren; Wilson, Deborah; Nestadt, Paul S; Latkin, Carl A.
  • Schneider KE; Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2213 McElderry Street, 2nd Floor, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Electronic address: kschne18@jhu.edu.
  • Dayton L; Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
  • Wilson D; School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, 525 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
  • Nestadt PS; Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2213 McElderry Street, 2nd Floor, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 733 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
  • Latkin CA; Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
J Affect Disord ; 294: 949-956, 2021 11 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1330919
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans have experienced mental distress, which may be partially characterized by a rise in mental illnesses. However, COVID-19 specific psychological distress may also be separate from diagnosable conditions, a distinction that has not been well established in the context of the pandemic.

METHODS:

Data came from an online survey of US adults collected in March 2020. We used factor analysis to assess the relationship between COVID-19 related mental distress and depressive symptoms. Using four questions on psychological distress modified for COVID-19 and eight depressive symptoms, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to identify the factor structure and then estimated a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

RESULTS:

The EFA model indicated a two-factor solution, where the COVID-19 distress items loaded onto the first factor and depression items loaded onto the second. Only two items cross-loaded between factors feeling fearful and being bothered by things that do not usually bother the participant. The CFA indicated that this factor structure fit the data adequately (RMSEA=0.106, SRMR=0.046, CFI=0.915, TLI=0.890).

LIMITATIONS:

It is possible that there are additional important symptoms of COVID-19 distress that were not included. Depression symptoms were measured via the CES-D-10, which while validated is not equivalent to a clinician diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS:

As COVID-19 related mental distress appears to be distinct from, though related to, depression, public health responses must consider what aspects of depression treatment may apply to this phenomenon. For COVID-related distress, it may be more appropriate to treat symptomatically and with supportive psychotherapy.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Mental Disorders Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: J Affect Disord Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Mental Disorders Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: J Affect Disord Year: 2021 Document Type: Article