Psychological distress among people with probable COVID-19 infection: analysis of the UK Household Longitudinal Study

Summary Studies exploring the longer-term effects of experiencing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on mental health are lacking. We explored the relationship between reporting probable COVID-19 symptoms in April 2020 and psychological distress (measured using the General Health Questionnaire) 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 months later. Data were taken from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, a nationally representative household panel survey of UK adults. Elevated levels of psychological distress were found up to 7 months after probable COVID-19, compared with participants with no likely infection. Associations were stronger among younger age groups and men. Further research into the psychological sequalae of COVID-19 is urgently needed.

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Psychological distress among people with probable COVID-19 infection: analysis of the UK Household Longitudinal Study

10.1101/2020.11.24.20237909 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Claire L Niedzwiedz ◽

Michaela Benzeval ◽

Kirsten Hainey ◽

Alastair H Leyland ◽

Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Age Groups ◽

Health Questionnaire ◽

Panel Survey ◽

Younger Age ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

The Uk ◽

The Relationship

SummaryStudies exploring the longer-term effects of experiencing COVID-19 infection on mental health are lacking. We explored the relationship between reporting probable COVID-19 symptoms in April 2020 and psychological distress (measured using the General Health Questionnaire) one, two and three months later. Data were taken from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, a nationally representative household panel survey of UK adults. Elevated levels of psychological distress were found up to three months after probable COVID-19, compared to participants with no likely infection. Associations were stronger among younger age groups and men. Further research into the psychological sequalae of COVID-19 is urgently needed.

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Psychological distress associated with the second COVID-19 wave: Prospective evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study

10.31234/osf.io/8mpxr ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Michael Daly ◽

Eric Robinson

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

School Age Children ◽

Clinically Significant ◽

Fixed Effects Regression ◽

The Uk ◽

Second Wave ◽

Pandemic Wave

BackgroundIn late 2020 a second wave of COVID-19 infections occurred in many countries and resulted in a national lockdown in the UK including stay at home orders and school closures. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of psychological distress before and during the second COVID-19 wave in the UK. MethodsThis study drew on data from 10,657 participants from the nationally representative probability-based UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS). The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) assessment measure was used to detect the proportion of UK adults experiencing clinically significant psychological distress. Changes in distress levels associated with the second pandemic wave were examined between September 2020 and January 2021 using logistic regression and linear fixed-effects regression models. ResultsLongitudinal analyses showed that the prevalence of clinically significant distress rose by 5.8% (95% CI:4.4-7.2) from 21.3% in September 2020 to 27.1% in January 2021, compared with a 2019 pre-pandemic estimate of 21% in this cohort. Fixed effects analyses confirmed that the second COVID-19 wave was associated with a significant within-person increase in distress (d =0.15, p<.001). Increases were particularly pronounced among those with school-age children in the home. LimitationsA non-specific measure of mental health symptoms was utilized and it was not possible to separate the potential impact of the pandemic from other changes occurring in tandem within the study period. ConclusionClinically significant distress rose during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and reached levels similar to those observed in the immediate aftermath of the first pandemic wave.

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The mobilities of care in later life: exploring the relationship between caring and mobility in the lives of older people

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x20000100 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-22

Author(s):

Karen Croucher ◽

Rose Gilroy ◽

Mark Bevan ◽

Katia Attuyer

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Older People ◽

Age Groups ◽

Later Life ◽

Life Transitions ◽

The North ◽

Care And Support ◽

Younger Age ◽

Per Se ◽

The Relationship

Abstract There has been a renewed call for a revaluing of informal caring in order to counter the way that caring is undervalued, taken for granted and invisible. Travel is one area where a detailed critique of this issue has emerged with the concept of ‘mobility of care’, however, this concept has only been applied in relation to younger age groups, and our understanding of mobilities of care in later life remains underdeveloped. By ‘mobilities of care’ we mean journeys made for the purpose of giving and receiving informal care and support. This paper draws on the mobility narratives of 99 older people (aged 55 and above) living in three locations in the North of England who participated in a two-year qualitative longitudinal study that explored the inter-play between mobility, wellbeing and life transitions. We focused on the experience of managing life transitions rather than assume that chronology per se determines wellbeing. Narratives of ageing emphasise the importance of getting out and about, and being socially connected active citizens. Our study demonstrates that for many older people getting out and about is not for leisure or utility purposes but to give support and care. As such, these journeys have a particular significance in the lives of older people and in the construction of roles, meaning and identity in later life.

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Adherence to the test, trace, and isolate system in the UK: results from 37 nationally representative surveys

BMJ ◽

10.1136/bmj.n608 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. n608 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Louise E Smith ◽

Henry W W Potts ◽

Richard Amlôt ◽

Nicola T Fear ◽

Susan Michie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Age Groups ◽

Isolate System ◽

Dependent Child ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Younger Age ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

The Uk ◽

Close Contacts

Abstract Objective To investigate rates of adherence to the UK’s test, trace, and isolate system over the initial 11 months of the covid-19 pandemic. Design Series of cross sectional online surveys. Setting 37 nationally representative surveys in the UK, 2 March 2020 to 27 January 2021. Participants 74 697 responses from 53 880 people living in the UK, aged 16 years or older (37 survey waves, about 2000 participants in each wave). Main outcome measures Identification of the main symptoms of covid-19 (cough, high temperature or fever, and loss of sense of smell or taste), self-reported adherence to self-isolation if symptoms were present and intention to self-isolate if symptoms were to develop, requesting a test for covid-19 if symptoms were present and intention to request a test if symptoms were to develop, and intention to share details of close contacts. Results Only 51.5% of participants (95% confidence interval 51.0% to 51.9%, n=26 030/50 570) identified the main symptoms of covid-19; the corresponding values in the most recent wave of data collection (25-27 January 2021) were 50.8% (48.6% to 53.0%, n=1019/2007). Across all waves, duration adjusted adherence to full self-isolation was 42.5% (95% confidence interval 39.7% to 45.2%, n=515/1213); in the most recent wave of data collection (25-27 January 2021), it was 51.8% (40.8% to 62.8%, n=43/83). Across all waves, requesting a test for covid-19 was 18.0% (95% confidence interval 16.6% to 19.3%, n=552/3068), increasing to 22.2% (14.6% to 29.9%, n=26/117) from 25 to 27 January. Across all waves, intention to share details of close contacts was 79.1% (95% confidence interval 78.8% to 79.5%, n=36 145/45 680), increasing to 81.9% (80.1% to 83.6%, n=1547/1890) from 25 to 27 January. Non-adherence was associated with being male, younger age, having a dependent child in the household, lower socioeconomic grade, greater financial hardship during the pandemic, and working in a key sector. Conclusions Levels of adherence to test, trace, and isolate are low, although some improvement has occurred over time. Practical support and financial reimbursement are likely to improve adherence. Targeting messaging and policies to men, younger age groups, and key workers might also be necessary.

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Using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire to screen psychological distress from survivorship to end-of-life care: dimensionality and item quality

Psycho-Oncology ◽

10.1002/pon.1989 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 21 (9) ◽

pp. 954-961 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Wei Gao ◽

Daniel Stark ◽

Michael I. Bennett ◽

Richard J. Siegert ◽

Scott Murray ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

End Of Life ◽

End Of Life Care ◽

General Health ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Life Care ◽

Health Questionnaire ◽

Item Quality

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Two hearts and a loan? Mortgages, employment insecurity and earnings among young couples in six European countries

Urban Studies ◽

10.1177/0042098017717211 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 55 (11) ◽

pp. 2451-2469 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Giulia M Dotti Sani ◽

Claudia Acciai

Keyword(s):

Social Inequalities ◽

Logistic Models ◽

European Countries ◽

Earned Income ◽

Employment Insecurity ◽

National Differences ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

The Uk ◽

The Relationship ◽

Employment Instability

Homeownership is increasingly understood by policy makers and social scientists as a fundamental asset against poverty risks, especially in times of economic uncertainty. However, in several Western countries, homeownership among younger generations appears to be increasingly difficult to achieve, likely a result of growing employment instability and stringent criteria to access credit. This article uses multinomial logistic models and nationally representative EU-SILC data from six European countries to examine (a) to what extent precarious employment among young couples is linked to being a mortgage holder; (b) whether earned income can compensate for employment instability in being a mortgagee; (c) cross-national differences in the relationship between being a mortgage holder, earnings, and employment insecurity. Our results indicate that the higher the levels of employment insecurity, the lower the chances of being a mortgage holder in all countries. Moreover, we find that at a given level of employment insecurity, households with higher levels of earned income have higher chances of being mortgage holders than households with lower earned income. However, while earned income has a stronger effect in achieving a mortgage among couples who have secure employment in Italy, earnings are more important among couples with lower levels of employment security in France, the UK, Spain and Poland. These results suggest that the relationship between social inequalities and housing is partially mediated by the national context.

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Procoagulant reactivity to laboratory acute mental stress in Africans and Caucasians, and its relation to depressive symptoms: The SABPA Study

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1160/th13-05-0383 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 110 (11) ◽

pp. 977-986 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Mark Hamer ◽

Nico T. Malan ◽

Kobus Scheepers ◽

Muriel Meiring ◽

Leonè Malan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Stress Response ◽

Mental Stress ◽

Stress Reactivity ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Peripheral Resistance ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Questionnaire ◽

D Dimer

SummaryThe risk of cardiovascular disease is dramatically increasing in Africans (black). The prothrombotic stress response contributes to atherothrombotic disease and is modulated by depressive symptoms. We examined coagulation reactivity to acute mental stress and its relation to psychological well-being in Africans relative to Caucasians (white). A total of 102 African and 165 Caucasian school teachers underwent the Stroop Color-Word Conflict test. Circulating levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen, fibrinogen, and D-dimer were measured before and after the Stroop. Cardiovascular reactivity measures were also obtained. All participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the General Health Questionnaire-28 for the assessment of depressive symptoms and total psychological distress, respectively. After controlling for covariates, resting levels of VWF, fibrinogen, and D-dimer were higher in Africans than in Caucasians (all p-values ≤0.006). Depressive symptoms and psychological distress were not significantly associated with resting coagulation measures. Stress reactivity in VWF (p<0.001) and fibrinogen (p=0.016), but not in D-dimer (p=0.27), were decreased in Africans relative to Caucasians with Africans showing greater reactivity of total peripheral resistance (p=0.017). Depressive symptoms, but not general psychological distress, were associated with greater VWF increase (p=0.029) and greater fibrinogen decrease (p=0.030) in Africans relative to Caucasians. In conclusion, Africans showed greater hypercoagulability at rest but diminished procoagulant reactivity to acute mental stress when compared with Caucasians. Ethnic differences in the vascular adrenergic stress response might partially explain this finding. Depressive symptoms were associated with exaggerated VWF reactivity in Africans relative to Caucasians. The clinical implications of these findings for Africans need further study.

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Does Loneliness Have a Cost? A Population-Wide Study of the Association Between Loneliness and Healthcare Expenditure

International Journal of Public Health ◽

10.3389/ijph.2021.581286 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 66 ◽

Author(s):

Rachelle Meisters ◽

Daan Westra ◽

Polina Putrik ◽

Hans Bosma ◽

Dirk Ruwaard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Negative Binomial ◽

Healthcare Expenditure ◽

Age Groups ◽

Mental Healthcare ◽

Multiple Sources ◽

Related Factors ◽

Younger Age ◽

Unhealthy Behavior ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Binomial Models

Objectives: Loneliness has been associated with unhealthy behavior, poorer health, and increased morbidity. However, the costs of loneliness are poorly understood.Methods: Multiple sources were combined into a dataset containing a nationally representative sample (n = 341,376) of Dutch adults (18+). The association between loneliness and total, general practitioner (GP), specialized, pharmaceutical, and mental healthcare expenditure was tested using Poisson and Zero-inflated negative binomial models, controlling for numerous potential confounders (i.e., demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle-related factors, self-perceived health, and psychological distress), for four age groups.Results: Controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle-related factors, loneliness was indirectly (via poorer health) associated with higher expenditure in all categories. In fully adjusted models, it showed a direct association with higher expenditure for GP and mental healthcare (0.5 and 11.1%, respectively). The association with mental healthcare expenditure was stronger in younger than in older adults (for ages 19–40, the contribution of loneliness represented 61.8% of the overall association).Conclusion: Loneliness contributes to health expenditure both directly and indirectly, particularly in younger age groups. This implies a strong financial imperative to address this issue.

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Heterogeneous Mental Health Development During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United Kingdom

10.1101/2021.02.24.21251565 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lea Ellwardt ◽

Patrick Praeg

Keyword(s):

United Kingdom ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Latent Class ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Social Lives ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Policy Measures ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

The Uk

Aim. The COVID-19 pandemic and the mitigation measures by governments have upended the economic and social lives of many, leading to widespread psychological distress. However, how distress developed during the pandemic and who was most affected is poorly understood. We explore heterogeneity in trajectories of psychological distress during the first six months of the pandemic in the United Kingdom and relate this heterogeneity to socio-demographic and health factors. Subjects and Methods. We analyze six waves of longitudinal, nationally representative survey data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (N = 15,218), covering the first lockdown in 2020. First, latent class mixture modelling (LCCM) is used to identify trajectories of psychological distress. Second, associations of the trajectories with covariates are tested with multinomial logistic regressions. Results. We find four different trajectories of distress: continuously low, continuously moderate, temporarily elevated, and continuously elevated distress. One-fifth of the population experienced severely elevated risks of distress. Long-term exposure was highest among younger people, women, those who lost income, and those with previous health conditions or COVID-19 symptoms. Conclusion. Given the threat of persistent stress on health, policy measures should be sensitized to the unintended yet far-reaching consequences of non-pharmaceutical interventions.

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Online job quality quizzes: are they of value?

Human Resource Management International Digest ◽

10.1108/hrmid-09-2021-0192 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Job Quality ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Content Type ◽

The Public ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

Random Probability ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

The Uk

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare two methods of data collection on job quality – an online quiz and a random probability survey. Design/methodology/approach Data are from a nationally representative sample of workers in Britain aged 20–65 years. Participants in the survey are randomly selected whereas those completing the quiz are recruited using uncontrolled convenience sampling promoted through trade union websites, newsletters and advertising on social media platforms. The survey and quiz contain the same questions and data from both methods are collected within 14 months of each other. Findings The results show that the sample recruited for participation in the online quiz is skewed towards those working in the public sector, people in higher education and towards younger age groups and women whereas the random probability survey is more representative of the adult working population in the UK. Significant differences in the results obtained by the two collection methods are found which suggests that social desirability bias is having an effect on participant responses. Practical implications Therefore policy makers should consider the advantages and disadvantages when selecting methods to collect data for tracking changes in job quality. Originality/value This paper has an original approach by examining the procedures in different methods of gathering data on job quality and the effects of this on the data collected.

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