The impact of COVID 19 on mental health Anxiety and Depression

Abstract

Covid 19 has become the global concern in all aspect of health, finance, and social issue. The rapid spread of this pandemic and consequent social restriction (lockdown, stay home orders, losing job, social distancing, travel restrictions, lack of leisure activities etc.) has been observed to deteriorate public mental health condition around the world. Besides, the global infection/deceased rate and its consequences on families also triggering psychological distress among both infected and uninfected individuals. Hereby, it has become important to assess public mental health condition and its associates to improve existing support system and to bring betterment in the situation. Current research performed an online survey where data was obtained from people aged 18 or above residing in United Kingdom to assess their mental health condition (anxiety and depression) in relation to available social support (Perceived Social Support, PSS, standard 12-point measurement) and their resilience capacity (Brief Resilience Scale, BRS, 6-point measurement). Around 437 participants took part in the survey. The anxiety and depression were measured based on General anxiety level (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Positive correlation was observed for both anxiety and depression with PSS and BRS. However, the relation was not significant for BRS with the dependent variables. Only PSS was found to have significant relation with anxiety and depression. Besides, participants were found to experience less level of anxiety and depression during the pandemic.