Depression, anxiety and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from a New Zealand cohort study on mental well-being

• Published in: BMJ open Vol. 11; no. 5; p. e045325
• Main Authors: Gasteiger, Norina, Vedhara, Kavita, Massey, Adam, Jia, Ru, Ayling, Kieran, Chalder, Trudie, Coupland, Carol, Broadbent, Elizabeth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England British Medical Journal Publishing Group 03.05.2021; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Publishing Group
• Series: Original research
• Subjects: Anxiety; Anxiety disorders; Cohort analysis; COVID-19; depression & mood disorders; Mental depression; Mental Health; Pandemics; Public health; Social networks; Websites; Well being; New Zealand; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US; China; COVID-19; anxiety disorders; depression & mood disorders; public health
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045325

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption to daily life. This study investigated depression, anxiety and stress in New Zealand (NZ) during the first 10 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated psychological and behavioural factors. It also compares the results with a similar cross-sectional study in the UK.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingNZ community cohort.ParticipantsN=681 adults (≥18 years) in NZ. The cohort was predominantly female (89%) with a mean age of 42 years (range 18–87). Most (74%) identified as NZ European and almost half (46%) were keyworkers. Most were non-smokers (95%) and 20% identified themselves as having clinical risk factors which would put them at increased or greatest risk of COVID-19.Main outcome measuresDepression, anxiety, stress, positive mood and engagement in health behaviours (smoking, exercise, alcohol consumption).ResultsDepression and anxiety significantly exceeded population norms (p<0.0001). Being younger (p<0.0001) and most at risk of COVID-19 (p<0.05) were associated with greater depression, anxiety and stress. Greater positive mood, lower loneliness and greater exercise were protective factors for all outcomes (p<0.0001). Smoking (p=0.037) and alcohol consumption (p<0.05) were associated with increased anxiety. Pet ownership was associated with lower depression (p=0.006) and anxiety (p=0.008). When adjusting for age and gender differences, anxiety (p=0.002) and stress (p=0.007) were significantly lower in NZ than in the UK. The NZ sample reported lower perceived risk (p<0.0001) and worry about COVID-19 (p<0.0001) than the UK sample.ConclusionsThe NZ population had higher depression and anxiety compared with population norms. Younger people and those most at risk of COVID-19 reported poorer mental health. Interventions should promote frequent exercise, and reduce loneliness and unhealthy behaviours.