Alcohol Consumption, Loneliness, Quality of Life, Social Media Usage and General Anxiety before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Singapore

Mengieng Ung, Kalista Yearn Yee Wan, Shi Yu Liu, Ying Jie Choo, Nathaniel Shan Wei Liew, Zhexuan Azure Shang, Sophie Su Hui Khoo, Wei Xuan Tay, Ruixi Lin and Siyan Yi
Additional contact information
Mengieng Ung: Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore 117549, Singapore
Kalista Yearn Yee Wan: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
Shi Yu Liu: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
Ying Jie Choo: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
Nathaniel Shan Wei Liew: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
Zhexuan Azure Shang: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
Sophie Su Hui Khoo: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
Wei Xuan Tay: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
Ruixi Lin: Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore 117549, Singapore
Siyan Yi: Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore 117549, Singapore

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: This cross-sectional study aims to identify factors associated with anxiety levels of adults living in Singapore before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected using a web-based survey conducted from July to November 2020, accruing 264 eligible participants. Ordered logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), ranked as minimal (0–4), mild (5–9), moderate (10–14), and severe (15–21) before and during the pandemic. About 74% of participants were female, 50% were aged 25–34, and 50% were married. The GAD-7 level went up from the pre-pandemic for moderate (12.5% to 16%) and severe GAD (2% to 11%). Alcohol consumption (AOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.04–3.06), loneliness (AOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.05–1.54), and difficulty in switching off social media (AOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.29–3.79) predicted increased GAD-7 levels. The quality of life (AOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.79–0.90) was significantly associated with decreased GAD-7 levels. The results heighten the awareness that early initiation of mental health support is crucial for the population in addition to the various financial support measures provided by the government as they are adapting to live with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; pandemic; GAD-7; mental health; quality of life; Asia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/9/5636/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/9/5636/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5636-:d:809118

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().