Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and initial period of lockdown on the mental health and well-being of adults in the UK

• Published in: BJPsych open Vol. 6; no. 5; p. e90
• Main Authors: White, Ross G., Van Der Boor, Catharina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01-09-2020
• Subjects: Anxiety; Anxiety disorders; Community; coronavirus; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; depressive disorders; Essential workers; Females; Males; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health; Pandemics; Questionnaires; Short Report; Social networks; Social support; Stress; United Kingdom > UK; COVID-19; coronavirus; depressive disorders; Anxiety disorders; pandemics
• ISSN: 2056-4724; 2056-4724
• DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2020.79

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and well-being were assessed in a convenience sample of 600 UK adults, using a cross-sectional design. Recruited over 2 weeks during the initial phase of lockdown, participants completed an online survey that included COVID-19-related questions, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the World Health Organization (Five) Well-Being Index and the Oxford Capabilities Questionnaire for Mental Health. Self-isolating before lockdown, increased feelings of isolation since lockdown and having COVID-19-related livelihood concerns were associated with poorer mental health, well-being and quality of life. Perceiving increased kindness, community connectedness and being an essential worker were associated with better mental health and well-being outcomes.