COVID-19 Pandemic: Age-Related Differences in Measures of Stress, Anxiety and Depression in Canada

Izu Nwachukwu, Nnamdi Nkire, Reham Shalaby, Marianne Hrabok, Wesley Vuong, April Gusnowski, Shireen Surood, Liana Urichuk, Andrew J. Greenshaw and Vincent I.O. Agyapong
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Izu Nwachukwu: Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Nnamdi Nkire: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Reham Shalaby: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Marianne Hrabok: Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Wesley Vuong: Addiction and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
April Gusnowski: Addiction and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Shireen Surood: Addiction and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Liana Urichuk: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Andrew J. Greenshaw: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Vincent I.O. Agyapong: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2R3, Canada

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-10

Abstract: Background: The spread of COVID-19 along with strict public health measures have resulted in unintended adverse effects, including greater levels of distress, anxiety, and depression. This study examined relative presentations of these psychopathologies in different age groups in a Canadian cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: Participants were subscribers to the Text4Hope program, developed to support Albertans during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey link was used to gather demographic information and responses on several self-report scales, such as Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Results: There were 8267 individuals who completed the survey, giving a response rate of 19.4%. Overall, 909 (11.0%) respondents identified as ≤25 years, 2939 (35.6%) identified as (26–40) years, 3431 (41.5%) identified as (41–60) years, 762 (9.2%) identified as over 60 years, and 226 (2.7%) did not identify their age. Mean scores on the PSS, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 scales were highest among those aged ≤25 and lowest amongst those aged >60 years old. Conclusions: The finding that the prevalence rates and the mean scores for stress, anxiety, and depression on standardized scales to decrease from younger to older subscribers is an interesting observation with potential implications for planning to meet mental health service needs during COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; pandemic; anxiety; depression; stress; e-mental health; age categories; Text4Hope (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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