Evaluating the mental health status, help-seeking behaviors, and coping strategies of Canadian essential workers versus non-essential workers during COVID-19: a longitudinal study

Evaluating the mental health status, help-seeking behaviors, and coping strategies of Canadian essential workers versus non-essential workers during COVID-19: a longitudinal study

This study examined mental health symptoms, help-seeking, and coping differences between Canadian essential workers (EWs) versus non-EWs, as well as common COVID-related concerns and longitudinal predictors of mental health symptoms among EWs only. An online, longitudinal survey (N = 1260; response...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Anxiety, stress, and coping Vol. 37; no. 3; pp. 334 - 347
Main Authors: Muthumuni, Nisali, Sommer, Jordana L., El-Gabalawy, Renée, Reynolds, Kristin A., Mota, Natalie P.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Routledge 03-05-2024
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Canada - epidemiology
Comparative studies
Coping
Coping Skills
COVID-19
COVID-19 - epidemiology
Essential workers
Health behavior
Health Status
Help seeking behavior
help-seeking
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
longitudinal study
Mental disorders
Mental health
Mental health care
Pandemics
Canada
COVID-19
help-seeking
longitudinal study
essential workers
mental health
coping
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Summary:This study examined mental health symptoms, help-seeking, and coping differences between Canadian essential workers (EWs) versus non-EWs, as well as common COVID-related concerns and longitudinal predictors of mental health symptoms among EWs only. An online, longitudinal survey (N = 1260; response rate (RR) =  78.5%) assessing mental health and psychosocial domains amongst Canadian adults was administered during the first wave of COVID-19 with a six-month follow-up (N = 821; RR = 53.7%). Cross tabulations and chi-square analyses examined sociodemographic, mental health, and coping differences between EWs and non-EWs. Frequencies evaluated common COVID-related concerns. Linear regression analyses examined associations between baseline measures with mental health symptoms six months later amongst EWs. EWs reported fewer mental health symptoms and avoidance coping than non-EWs, and were most concerned with transmitting COVID-19. Both groups reported similar patterns of help-seeking. Longitudinal correlates of anxiety and perceived stress symptoms among EWs included age, marital status, household income, accessing a psychologist, avoidant coping, and higher COVID-19-related distress. COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on the mental health of Canadian EWs. This research identifies which EWs are at greater risk of developing mental disorders, and may further guide the development of pandemic-related interventions for these workers.
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ISSN:1061-5806
1477-2205
DOI:10.1080/10615806.2023.2235294