Predictors of Psychological Distress across Three Time Periods during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland

Agata Chudzicka-Czupała, Soon-Kiat Chiang, Damian Grabowski, Marta Żywiołek-Szeja, Matthew Quek, Bartosz Pudełek, Kayla Teopiz, Roger Ho () and Roger S. McIntyre
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Agata Chudzicka-Czupała: Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 40-326 Katowice, Poland
Soon-Kiat Chiang: Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
Damian Grabowski: Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 40-326 Katowice, Poland
Marta Żywiołek-Szeja: Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 40-326 Katowice, Poland
Matthew Quek: School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, 4 Dublin, Ireland
Bartosz Pudełek: Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 40-326 Katowice, Poland
Kayla Teopiz: Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada
Roger Ho: Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
Roger S. McIntyre: Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-16

Abstract: Background: Since the onset of COVID-19, public health policies and public opinions changed from stringent preventive measures against spread of COVID-19 to policies accommodating life with continued, diminished risk for contracting COVID-19. Poland is a country that demonstrated severe psychological impact and negative mental health. The study aims to examine psychological impact and changes in levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among three cross-sectional samples of Polish people and COVID-19-related factors associated with adverse mental health. Methods: In total, 2324 Polish persons participated in repeated cross-sectional studies across three surveys: Survey 1 (22 to 26 March 2020), Survey 2 (21 October to 3 December 2020), and Survey 3 (3 November to 10 December 2021). Participants completed an online survey, including Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), demographics, knowledge, and concerns of COVID-19 and precautionary measures. Results: A significant reduction of IES-R scores was seen across surveys, while DASS-21 scores were significantly higher in Survey 2. There was significant reduction in the frequency of following COVID-19 news, recent COVID-19 testing, and home isolation from Survey 1 to 3. Being emale was significantly associated with higher IES-R and DASS-21 scores in Surveys 1 and 2. Student status was significantly associated with higher DASS-21 across surveys. Chills, myalgia, and fatigue were significantly associated with high IES-R or DASS-21 scores across surveys. Frequency of wearing masks and perception that mask could reduce risk of COVID-19 were significantly associated with higher IES-R and DASS-21 scores. Conclusion: Conclusions: The aforementioned findings indicate a reduction in the level of the measured subjective distress andin the frequency of checking COVID-19 news-related information across three periods during the pandemic in Poland.

Keywords: depression; anxiety; public health; COVID-19; pandemic; stress; policy; psychological impact; social determinants; fatigue (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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