Covid-19 lockdown and mental well-being

CPC-CG and CRA members, Professor Maria Evandrou, Professor Jane Falkingham, Dr Min Qin and Professor Athina Vlachantoni, have found that the exceptional challenges faced by individuals in various life stages during the initial lockdown adversely affected mental well-being, with adolescents and young adults particularly impacted.

The Covid-19 crisis significantly reshaped individuals’ daily lives, potentially also affecting their mental health. The research team from the University of Southampton examined changes in psychological stress, anxiety, and depression during the first lockdown among five British cohorts at different stages of the life course: older adolescence, early adulthood, mid-career, and later life.

The study investigated the correlation between self-reported stress and life changes across a range of domains including: health; education and the move to home schooling; working patterns and furlough; and living arrangements and family life.

Using data from special Covid-19 surveys conducted in May 2020 with participants from four nationally representative cohort studies, the research highlights the diverse challenges faced by individuals at different life stages during the first phase of the pandemic. While young people faced disrupted education, with many returning to the parental home, parents had to cope with the closure of schools and childcare services, dealing with young children at home. Mid-career professionals also found themselves balancing work and family responsibilities, while retirees faced cancelled medical appointments and disrupted home care services.

All these challenges were associated with significantly increased reported stress among affected individuals; particularly in adolescence and young adulthood, where mental health outcomes were poorer than in older cohorts.

Lead author, Professor Maria Evandrou commented: "Our study affirms that individuals in various life stages faced exceptional challenges during the initial Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, adversely affecting mental well-being. Adolescents and young adults, experiencing more life changes but lacking coping resources, felt the disruption especially heavily.

"Going forward, given the potential health consequences of prolonged stress, anxiety, and depression, policymakers must consider these temporary challenges through a life course lens when designing appropriate interventions and support services."

Read the full article: 'Life Changes during the first Covid-19 lockdown and mental well-being at different stages of the life course: Evidence from five British cohorts' in Medical Research Archives.

Posted 26/01/2024 11:21