COVID-19 Pandemic Causing Depression in Different Sociodemographic Groups in Saudi Arabia

Hana Sonbol, Hadil M. Alahdal, Rasis A. Alanazi, Khawla Alsamhary and Fuad Ameen
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Hana Sonbol: Biology Department, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
Hadil M. Alahdal: Biology Department, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
Rasis A. Alanazi: Psychology Department, College of Education, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
Khawla Alsamhary: Department of Biology, College of Science and Humanities in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
Fuad Ameen: Department of Botany & Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-11

Abstract: COVID-19 disease was announced as a global pandemic in March 2020 by the World health organization (WHO). Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to enforce restriction measures such as closing schools, remote working, and a travel ban. We aim to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s depression in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional online survey of 1109 participants was conducted during the curfew between 18th of May and 11th of June 2020. An online questionnaire included questions about the commitment to follow the precautionary measures, knowledge on COVID-19, and depression. Depression was assessed with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised method. Females, unmarried individuals, elderly persons, parents of young children, unemployed, and small families were more likely to be depressed. Education level did not explain the differences in depression. However, the more knowledge the participants had about COVID-19 the better they followed the restrictions. A regression analysis revealed that the commitment of a person to follow the restrictions increased his/her depression symptoms. Attention should be paid to different groups of people in future psychiatric planning.

Keywords: COVID-19; depression; pandemic; precaution measures; mental health; Saudi Arabia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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