Increased generalized anxiety, depression and distress during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in Germany.
J Public Health (Oxf)
; 42(4): 672-678, 2020 11 23.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-641030
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Since the first cases of the novel coronavirus disease SARS-CoV-2 were reported in December 2019 in China, the virus has spread in most countries. The aim of the present study was to assess initial data on the mental health burden of the German public during the COVID-19 pandemic.METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Germany and collected complete datasets from 15 704 German residents aged 18 years and over. Besides demographics, generalized anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-2) and psychological distress (DT) were assessed. Furthermore, COVID-19-related fear, trust in governmental actions to face COVID-19 and the subjective level of information regarding COVID-19 were covered.RESULTS:
Significantly increased symptoms were highly prevalent in all dimensions generalized anxiety (44.9%), depression (14.3%), psychological distress (65.2%) and COVID-19-related fear (59%). Females and younger people reported higher mental burden. Trust in governmental actions to face COVID-19 and the subjective level of information regarding COVID-19 are negatively associated with mental health burden. However, the subjective level of information regarding COVID-19 is positively associated with increased COVID-19-related fear.CONCLUSIONS:
The provision of appropriate psychological interventions for those in need and the provision of transparency and comprehensible information are crucial during the current pandemic.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Anxiety
/
Stress, Psychological
/
Depression
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
J Public Health (Oxf)
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Pubmed
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS