Association between level of compliance with COVID-19 public health measures and depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional survey of young adults in Canada and France
Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: While compliance with preventive measures remains central to limit the spread of COVID-19, these measures critically affected mental health of young adults. We therefore investigated the association between the level of compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures and depressive symptoms among young adults in Canada and France. METHODS: From October to December 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey of young adults ages 18-29 years in Canada (n = 3246) and France (n = 2680) to collect demographic data, experiences with COVID-19 preventive measures, and mental health. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Compliance profiles were built using cluster analysis. Weighted multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate associations between compliance level and major depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score≥15) in each country. RESULTS: One third of respondents reported major depressive symptoms (Canada: 36.4%, France: 23.4%). Four compliance profiles were identified: high (42.5%), medium-high (21.7%), medium-low (18.1%), and low (17.7%), with high levels more frequently observed in Canada compared to France. In both countries, participants in low compliance profile (Canada: Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) [95% Confidence Interval] 0.75 [0.58, 0.98], France: AOR 0.60 [0.46, 0.75]), in the medium-low (Canada: AOR 0.58 [0.48, 0.72], France: AOR 0.81 [0.66, 1.01]), and medium-high compliance profiles (Canada: AOR 0.78 [0.65, 0.93], France: AOR 0.77 [0.63, 0.93]) were less likely to report major depressive symptoms compared to the high compliance profile. Ethno-racial minorities, sexual and gender minority, and unemployed young adults had higher odds of reporting such symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Major depressive symptoms were associated with high compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures among young adults. The implementation of socially-isolating measures should be coupled with mental health interventions to address mental health needs of young adults, with enhanced supports for sub-groups who are structurally disadvantaged (e.g., racialized, unemployed, sexual and gender minority).
Source: PLoS ONE
Institutions: University of British Columbia, British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Simon Fraser University, Santé Québec Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal – Universitaire, Centre de recherche en santé publique, Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke, BC Centre for Disease Control, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Inserm, Centre d'étude des mouvements sociaux, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, École des hautes études en sciences sociales
Language: English
Topic: COVID-19 and Mental Health
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,805
Awards: Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social and health outcomes among young people: A mixed-method comparative analysis in Canada and France, A mixed-methods comparative study identifying the social and health trajectories of young adults during and following the COVID-19 pandemic in France and in Canada, G3461638165, G371874725, G8460803803, G8597405878
OpenAlex ID: W4385488795