Fear of Death during COVID-19 Does Not Explain Post-Infection Depression Symptoms beyond Reported Symptoms during the Infection in COVID-19 Survivors

Leoni-Johanna Speichert, Adam Schweda, Oliver Witzke, Margarethe Konik, Hana Rohn, Mark Stettner, Venja Musche, Klaas Herchert, Madeleine Fink, Sheila Geiger, Alexander Bäuerle, Eva-Maria Skoda, Martin Teufel and Hannah Dinse ()
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Leoni-Johanna Speichert: Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR-University Hospital, 45147 Essen, Germany
Adam Schweda: Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR-University Hospital, 45147 Essen, Germany
Oliver Witzke: Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen University Hospital, 45147 Essen, Germany
Margarethe Konik: Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen University Hospital, 45147 Essen, Germany
Hana Rohn: Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen University Hospital, 45147 Essen, Germany
Mark Stettner: Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
Venja Musche: Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR-University Hospital, 45147 Essen, Germany
Klaas Herchert: Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR-University Hospital, 45147 Essen, Germany
Madeleine Fink: Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR-University Hospital, 45147 Essen, Germany
Sheila Geiger: Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR-University Hospital, 45147 Essen, Germany
Alexander Bäuerle: Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR-University Hospital, 45147 Essen, Germany
Eva-Maria Skoda: Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR-University Hospital, 45147 Essen, Germany
Martin Teufel: Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR-University Hospital, 45147 Essen, Germany
Hannah Dinse: Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR-University Hospital, 45147 Essen, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-10

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented global burden to the general population and, in particular, to individuals who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. In the context of the discussion about “post COVID-19”, the aim of the study was to advance research on mental health and long-term consequences after COVID-19. In total, 214 COVID-19 survivors (female: 54.2%; hospitalized: 36.7%) participated in the repeated cross-sectional assessment. In addition to demographic data, mental and somatic symptoms, fear of death at the time of infection, and depressive (PHQ-8) and generalized anxiety symptoms (GAD-7) were assessed. Results showed an increased prevalence of depressive symptoms and symptoms of generalized anxiety compared to observations in the general population prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychological symptoms of depression and reported levels of fear of death during the SARS-CoV-2 infection showed a negative association with the time interval since COVID-19 diagnosis. Furthermore, although fear of death during the acute COVID-19 was related to depression and generalized anxiety, this association was predominantly explained by the presence of mental and somatic symptoms. In conclusion, initial fear of death does not impact mental health beyond the overall symptom burden. Furthermore, depressive symptoms appear to vanish across time since infection.

Keywords: COVID-19 survivors; depression; fear of death; generalized anxiety; mental health; post-COVID-19; long COVID; corona; psychological burden; psychosomatic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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