Psychological distress, depression, anxiety and life satisfaction following COVID-19 infection: Evidence from 11 UK longitudinal population studies

Ellen J.  Thompson; Jean Stafford; Bettina Moltrecht; Charlotte F. Huggins; Alex S. F.  Kwong; Richard J. Shaw; Paola Zaninotto; Kishan Patel; Richard J. Silverwood; Eoin Mc Elroy; Matthias Pierce; Michael J Green; Ruth C. E. Bowyer; Jane Maddock; Kate Tilling; S. Vittal Katikireddi; George B. Ploubidis; David J. Porteous; Nic Timpson; Nish Chaturvedi; Claire J. Steves; Praveetha Patalay

doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00307-8

Psychological distress, depression, anxiety and life satisfaction following COVID-19 infection: Evidence from 11 UK longitudinal population studies

Ellen J. Thompson , Jean Stafford , Bettina Moltrecht , Charlotte F. Huggins , Alex S. F. Kwong , Richard J. Shaw , Paola Zaninotto , Kishan Patel, Richard J. Silverwood, Eoin Mc Elroy, Matthias Pierce, Michael J Green, Ruth C. E. Bowyer , Jane Maddock , Kate Tilling, S. Vittal Katikireddi, George B. Ploubidis, David J. Porteous, Nic Timpson, Nish ChaturvediClaire J. Steves, Praveetha Patalay

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)

50 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Evidence on associations between COVID-19 illness and mental health is mixed. We aimed to examine whether COVID-19 is associated with deterioration in mental health while considering: 1) pre-pandemic mental health, 2) time since infection; 3) subgroup differences; and 4) confirmation of infection via self-reported test, and serology data.
Methods: Using data from 11 UK longitudinal studies, with 2 to 8 repeated measures of mental health (psychological distress, depression, anxiety and life satisfaction) and COVID-19 between April 2020 and April 2021, we standardised continuous mental health scales within each study across time. We investigated associations between COVID-19 (self-report, test-confirmed, serology-confirmed) and mental health using generalized estimating equations. We examined whether associations varied by age, sex, ethnicity, education and pre-pandemic mental health.
Findings: Participants were 54,442 individuals (aged 18-90+, 39% men, 90.2% White). Pooled estimates of standardized differences in outcomes suggested associations between COVID-19 and subsequent psychological distress (0.10 [95%CI: 0.06; 0.13], I2=42.8%), depression (0.08 [0.05; 0.10], I2=20.8%), anxiety (0.08 [0.05; 0.10], I2=0%), and lower life satisfaction (-0.06 [-0.08; -0.04], I2=29.2%). Associations did not vary by time since infection until 3+ months and were present in all age groups, with some evidence of stronger effects in those aged 50+. Self-reported COVID-19, whether suspected or test-confirmed and irrespective of serology status, was associated with poorer mental health.
Interpretation: Self-reporting COVID-19 was longitudinally associated with deterioration in mental health and life satisfaction. Our findings highlight the need for greater post-infection mental health service provision, given the substantial prevalence of COVID-19 in the UK and worldwide.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	894-906
Number of pages	13
Journal	Lancet Psychiatry
Volume	9
Issue number	11
Early online date	30 Nov 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00307-8
Publication status	Published (in print/issue) - 30 Nov 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The COVID-19 Longitudinal Health and Wellbeing National Core Study was funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MC_PC_20059 and MC_PC_20030) and the CONVALESCENCE study was funded by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (CONVALESCENCE grant COV-LT-0009). Full funding acknowledgements for each individual study can be found in the appendix (pp 62–63).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00307-8Licence: CC BY

PIIS2215036622003078Final published version, 559 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

Thompson , E. J., Stafford , J., Moltrecht , B., Huggins , C. F., Kwong , A. S. F., Shaw , R. J., Zaninotto , P., Patel, K., Silverwood, R. J., Mc Elroy, E., Pierce, M., Green, M. J., Bowyer , R. C. E., Maddock , J., Tilling, K., Katikireddi, S. V., Ploubidis, G. B., Porteous, D. J., Timpson, N., ... Patalay, P. (2022). Psychological distress, depression, anxiety and life satisfaction following COVID-19 infection: Evidence from 11 UK longitudinal population studies. Lancet Psychiatry, 9(11), 894-906. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00307-8

@article{bc466050fafe42b2b2f75a0ffd7a3d4c,

title = "Psychological distress, depression, anxiety and life satisfaction following COVID-19 infection: Evidence from 11 UK longitudinal population studies",

abstract = "Background: Evidence on associations between COVID-19 illness and mental health is mixed. We aimed to examine whether COVID-19 is associated with deterioration in mental health while considering: 1) pre-pandemic mental health, 2) time since infection; 3) subgroup differences; and 4) confirmation of infection via self-reported test, and serology data. Methods: Using data from 11 UK longitudinal studies, with 2 to 8 repeated measures of mental health (psychological distress, depression, anxiety and life satisfaction) and COVID-19 between April 2020 and April 2021, we standardised continuous mental health scales within each study across time. We investigated associations between COVID-19 (self-report, test-confirmed, serology-confirmed) and mental health using generalized estimating equations. We examined whether associations varied by age, sex, ethnicity, education and pre-pandemic mental health. Findings: Participants were 54,442 individuals (aged 18-90+, 39% men, 90.2% White). Pooled estimates of standardized differences in outcomes suggested associations between COVID-19 and subsequent psychological distress (0.10 [95%CI: 0.06; 0.13], I2=42.8%), depression (0.08 [0.05; 0.10], I2=20.8%), anxiety (0.08 [0.05; 0.10], I2=0%), and lower life satisfaction (-0.06 [-0.08; -0.04], I2=29.2%). Associations did not vary by time since infection until 3+ months and were present in all age groups, with some evidence of stronger effects in those aged 50+. Self-reported COVID-19, whether suspected or test-confirmed and irrespective of serology status, was associated with poorer mental health.Interpretation: Self-reporting COVID-19 was longitudinally associated with deterioration in mental health and life satisfaction. Our findings highlight the need for greater post-infection mental health service provision, given the substantial prevalence of COVID-19 in the UK and worldwide.",

author = "Thompson, {Ellen J.} and Jean Stafford and Bettina Moltrecht and Huggins, {Charlotte F.} and Kwong, {Alex S. F.} and Shaw, {Richard J.} and Paola Zaninotto and Kishan Patel and Silverwood, {Richard J.} and {Mc Elroy}, Eoin and Matthias Pierce and Green, {Michael J} and Bowyer, {Ruth C. E.} and Jane Maddock and Kate Tilling and Katikireddi, {S. Vittal} and Ploubidis, {George B.} and Porteous, {David J.} and Nic Timpson and Nish Chaturvedi and Steves, {Claire J.} and Praveetha Patalay",

note = "Funding Information: The COVID-19 Longitudinal Health and Wellbeing National Core Study was funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MC_PC_20059 and MC_PC_20030) and the CONVALESCENCE study was funded by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (CONVALESCENCE grant COV-LT-0009). Full funding acknowledgements for each individual study can be found in the appendix (pp 62–63). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.",

year = "2022",

month = nov,

day = "30",

doi = "10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00307-8",

language = "English",

volume = "9",

pages = "894--906",

journal = "Lancet Psychiatry",

issn = "2215-0366",

publisher = "Elsevier",

number = "11",

}

Thompson , EJ, Stafford , J, Moltrecht , B, Huggins , CF, Kwong , ASF, Shaw , RJ, Zaninotto , P, Patel, K, Silverwood, RJ, Mc Elroy, E, Pierce, M, Green, MJ, Bowyer , RCE, Maddock , J, Tilling, K, Katikireddi, SV, Ploubidis, GB, Porteous, DJ, Timpson, N, Chaturvedi, N, Steves, CJ & Patalay, P 2022, 'Psychological distress, depression, anxiety and life satisfaction following COVID-19 infection: Evidence from 11 UK longitudinal population studies', Lancet Psychiatry, vol. 9, no. 11, pp. 894-906. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00307-8

TY - JOUR

T1 - Psychological distress, depression, anxiety and life satisfaction following COVID-19 infection: Evidence from 11 UK longitudinal population studies

AU - Thompson , Ellen J.

AU - Stafford , Jean

AU - Moltrecht , Bettina

AU - Huggins , Charlotte F.

AU - Kwong , Alex S. F.

AU - Shaw , Richard J.

AU - Zaninotto , Paola

AU - Patel, Kishan

AU - Silverwood, Richard J.

AU - Mc Elroy, Eoin

AU - Pierce, Matthias

AU - Green, Michael J

AU - Bowyer , Ruth C. E.

AU - Maddock , Jane

AU - Tilling, Kate

AU - Katikireddi, S. Vittal

AU - Ploubidis, George B.

AU - Porteous, David J.

AU - Timpson, Nic

AU - Chaturvedi, Nish

AU - Steves, Claire J.

AU - Patalay, Praveetha

N1 - Funding Information: The COVID-19 Longitudinal Health and Wellbeing National Core Study was funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MC_PC_20059 and MC_PC_20030) and the CONVALESCENCE study was funded by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (CONVALESCENCE grant COV-LT-0009). Full funding acknowledgements for each individual study can be found in the appendix (pp 62–63). Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.

PY - 2022/11/30

Y1 - 2022/11/30

N2 - Background: Evidence on associations between COVID-19 illness and mental health is mixed. We aimed to examine whether COVID-19 is associated with deterioration in mental health while considering: 1) pre-pandemic mental health, 2) time since infection; 3) subgroup differences; and 4) confirmation of infection via self-reported test, and serology data. Methods: Using data from 11 UK longitudinal studies, with 2 to 8 repeated measures of mental health (psychological distress, depression, anxiety and life satisfaction) and COVID-19 between April 2020 and April 2021, we standardised continuous mental health scales within each study across time. We investigated associations between COVID-19 (self-report, test-confirmed, serology-confirmed) and mental health using generalized estimating equations. We examined whether associations varied by age, sex, ethnicity, education and pre-pandemic mental health. Findings: Participants were 54,442 individuals (aged 18-90+, 39% men, 90.2% White). Pooled estimates of standardized differences in outcomes suggested associations between COVID-19 and subsequent psychological distress (0.10 [95%CI: 0.06; 0.13], I2=42.8%), depression (0.08 [0.05; 0.10], I2=20.8%), anxiety (0.08 [0.05; 0.10], I2=0%), and lower life satisfaction (-0.06 [-0.08; -0.04], I2=29.2%). Associations did not vary by time since infection until 3+ months and were present in all age groups, with some evidence of stronger effects in those aged 50+. Self-reported COVID-19, whether suspected or test-confirmed and irrespective of serology status, was associated with poorer mental health.Interpretation: Self-reporting COVID-19 was longitudinally associated with deterioration in mental health and life satisfaction. Our findings highlight the need for greater post-infection mental health service provision, given the substantial prevalence of COVID-19 in the UK and worldwide.

AB - Background: Evidence on associations between COVID-19 illness and mental health is mixed. We aimed to examine whether COVID-19 is associated with deterioration in mental health while considering: 1) pre-pandemic mental health, 2) time since infection; 3) subgroup differences; and 4) confirmation of infection via self-reported test, and serology data. Methods: Using data from 11 UK longitudinal studies, with 2 to 8 repeated measures of mental health (psychological distress, depression, anxiety and life satisfaction) and COVID-19 between April 2020 and April 2021, we standardised continuous mental health scales within each study across time. We investigated associations between COVID-19 (self-report, test-confirmed, serology-confirmed) and mental health using generalized estimating equations. We examined whether associations varied by age, sex, ethnicity, education and pre-pandemic mental health. Findings: Participants were 54,442 individuals (aged 18-90+, 39% men, 90.2% White). Pooled estimates of standardized differences in outcomes suggested associations between COVID-19 and subsequent psychological distress (0.10 [95%CI: 0.06; 0.13], I2=42.8%), depression (0.08 [0.05; 0.10], I2=20.8%), anxiety (0.08 [0.05; 0.10], I2=0%), and lower life satisfaction (-0.06 [-0.08; -0.04], I2=29.2%). Associations did not vary by time since infection until 3+ months and were present in all age groups, with some evidence of stronger effects in those aged 50+. Self-reported COVID-19, whether suspected or test-confirmed and irrespective of serology status, was associated with poorer mental health.Interpretation: Self-reporting COVID-19 was longitudinally associated with deterioration in mental health and life satisfaction. Our findings highlight the need for greater post-infection mental health service provision, given the substantial prevalence of COVID-19 in the UK and worldwide.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85139888363&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00307-8

DO - 10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00307-8

M3 - Article

SN - 2215-0366

VL - 9

SP - 894

EP - 906

JO - Lancet Psychiatry

JF - Lancet Psychiatry

IS - 11

ER -

Psychological distress, depression, anxiety and life satisfaction following COVID-19 infection: Evidence from 11 UK longitudinal population studies

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this