Factors associated with serious psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a nationwide cross-sectional internet-based study
Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: IMPORTANCE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have a negative impact on mental health of the population, leading to higher suicide rates, in many countries. However, little is known about risk factors associated with worsened mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors associated with serious psychological distress (SPD) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional study using a large-scale internet survey conducted between August 25 and September 30, 2020, in Japan. EXPOSURES: Demographics (age, gender, marital status, family composition, and caregiving burden), socio-economic status (income level, employment type, educational attainment), the experience of domestic violence (DV), the state of emergency, fear of COVID-19, and stigma related to COVID-19. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Prevalence of SPD, defined as Kessler 6 scale score ≥13. RESULTS: Among 25,482 individuals included in this study, 2,556 (10%) met the criteria of SPD. Overall, women (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.59; 95%CI, 1.17-2.16; P=0.003), ages 15-29 (aOR compared with ages 45-59, 2.35; 95%CI, 1.64-3.38; P<0.001), low income (aOR compared with intermediate income, 1.70; 95%CI, 1.16-2.49; P=0.007), providing caregiving to family members (aOR, 5.48; 95%CI, 3.51-8.56; P<0.001), experiencing DV (aOR, 5.72; 95%CI, 3.81-8.59; P<0.001), and fear of COVID-19 (aOR, 1.96; 95%CI, 1.55-2.48; P<0.001) were associated with a higher rate of SPD. Among women aged 15-29 years, who experienced the highest rate of SPD, caregiving, DV, fear of COVID-19, and COVID-19-related stigma were associated with a higher rate of SPD; whereas economic situation (income level and employment type) and social isolation (marital status) were not associated with the prevalence of SPD. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Economic situation, caregiving burden, DV, and fear of COVID-19 were independently associated with SPD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among young women-who have a higher risk of suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan-similar factors, except economic situation, were associated with a higher rate of SPD. Targeted interventions based on age and gender may be more effective in mitigating the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the population's mental health.
Source: BMJ Open
Institutions: Fukushima Medical University, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, National Center Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, Translational Medical Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Tokyo University of Science, University of California, Los Angeles
Language: English
Topic: COVID-19 and Mental Health
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,839
Awards: G1243903342, G1293722121, Causal inference in the association between oral health and general health using big data, The Impact of physician and health system factors on the quality of care for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias at the end of life, G1647977057, G1968018393, G2546114681, The relationship between working hours and workplace climate and employee health and productivity: a combined study including factors outside the workplace, G3455342700, G4343595449, Epidemiological study to evaluate an impact of new tobacco products in Japan, G5193398329, Long-term healthy lifestyls and risk of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes: a working population-based cohort study, Clarification of the relationship between periodontitis severity and the onset and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, G5508462741, Estimation of future needs of life support services among community-dwelling older adults, G604047201, G6099782773, G6920037457, G7789992013, A simulation modelling study to examine the effects of underlying factors and control measures on disease incidence and mortality in a population, G8595136466, The Impact of Surgeon Factors and Education/Training on Disparities in Surgical Care.
OpenAlex ID: W3181059751