What is it about?

In this study we compared the rates of depression, anxiety and stress in general population from before the pandemic to during the pandemic from 193,000 participants from 47 countries. We wanted to see if the rates of depression, anxiety and stress changed from before the pandemic to during the pandemic.

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Why is it important?

The results showed that globally, we have become more depressed, anxious and stressed since before the pandemic. Specifically depression had the highest elevations globally. Also, being young, female and student were shown to be linked to higher negative emotions such as stress and anxiety during the pandemic.

Perspectives

Despite the strategies and programs implemented to handle the crisis across countries, individuals still experienced higher depression, anxiety, and stress. This study highlights the importance of implementing customized strategies and schemes to maintain and secure a healthy level of mental health for the general public and in particular young adults and females. The national and international public health policy-makers are therefore called to design programs and strategies to improve and secure a certain level of mental health for the general public.

Hojjat Daniali
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)- Department of Psychology

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: A global meta-analysis of depression, anxiety, and stress before and during COVID-19., Health Psychology, February 2023, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/hea0001259.
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