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Trajectories of change in internalizing symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal population-based study.
Hyland, Philip; Vallières, Frédérique; Daly, Michael; Butter, Sarah; Bentall, Richard P; Fox, Robert; Karatzias, Thanos; MacLachlan, Malcolm; McBride, Orla; Murphy, Jamie; Murphy, David; Spikol, Eric; Shevlin, Mark.
  • Hyland P; Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Room 1.1.4 Education House, Kildare, Ireland; Trinity Center for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: philip.hyland@mu.ie.
  • Vallières F; Trinity Center for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
  • Daly M; Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Room 1.1.4 Education House, Kildare, Ireland.
  • Butter S; Department of Psychology, The University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.
  • Bentall RP; Department of Psychology, The University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.
  • Fox R; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin, Ireland.
  • Karatzias T; School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, United Kingdom; Rivers Center for Traumatic Stress, NHS Lothian, United Kingdom.
  • MacLachlan M; Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Room 1.1.4 Education House, Kildare, Ireland; HSE National Clinical Programme for People with Disability, Ireland.
  • McBride O; School of Psychology, Ulster University, United Kingdom.
  • Murphy J; School of Psychology, Ulster University, United Kingdom.
  • Murphy D; Trinity Center for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
  • Spikol E; Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Room 1.1.4 Education House, Kildare, Ireland.
  • Shevlin M; School of Psychology, Ulster University, United Kingdom.
J Affect Disord ; 295: 1024-1031, 2021 12 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1385797
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Longitudinal data indicates that the mental health of the general population may not have been as badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as some had feared. Most studies examining change in mental health during the pandemic have assumed population homogeneity which may conceal evidence of worsening mental health for some. In this study, we applied a heterogeneous perspective to determine if there were distinct groups in the population characterised by different patterns of change in internalizing symptoms during the pandemic.

METHODS:

Self-report data were collected from a nationally representative sample of Irish adults (N = 1041) at four time-points between April and December 2020.

RESULTS:

In the entire sample, mean levels of internalizing symptoms significantly declined from March to December 2020. However, we identified four distinct groups with different patterns of change. The most common response was 'Resilience' (66.7%), followed by 'Improving' (17.9%), 'Worsening' (11.3%), and 'Sustained' (4.1%). Belonging to the 'Worsening' class was associated with younger age, city dwelling, current and past treatment for a mental health problem, higher levels of empathy, and higher levels of loneliness.

LIMITATIONS:

Sample attrition was relatively high and although this was managed using robust statistical methods, bias associated with non-responses cannot be entirely ruled out.

CONCLUSION:

The majority of adults experienced no change, or an improvement in internalizing symptoms during the pandemic, and a relatively small proportion of adults experienced a worsening of internalizing symptoms. Limited public mental health resources should be targeted toward helping these at-risk individuals.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pandemics / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Humans 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: Pandemics / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Humans Language: English Journal: J Affect Disord Year: 2021 Document Type: Article