Factors Influencing the Level of Depression and Anxiety of Community-Dwelling Patients with Schizophrenia in China during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Shanshan Chen, Xiaohua Sun, Qisha Zhu, Yuan Zhao, Jinsong Tang () and Haidong Song ()
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Shanshan Chen: Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
Xiaohua Sun: Affiliated Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou Seventh People′s Hospital, The 4th Clinical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310000, China
Qisha Zhu: Affiliated Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou Seventh People′s Hospital, The 4th Clinical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310000, China
Yuan Zhao: Affiliated Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou Seventh People′s Hospital, The 4th Clinical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310000, China
Jinsong Tang: Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
Haidong Song: Affiliated Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou Seventh People′s Hospital, The 4th Clinical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310000, China

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a huge challenge to global public health. People with schizophrenia living in communities urgently need effective interventions to help them adjust to life and work, but they have not received enough attention. This study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia in China during the epidemic and to explore the possible influencing factors. Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey, we collected 15,165 questionnaires. Assessments included demographic information, concern about COVID-19-related information, sleep status, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and accompanying illnesses. The 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to evaluate depression and anxiety levels. Group comparison was conducted by t -test, ANOVA, or chi-square test wherever suitable, with Bonferroni pairwise correction. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors for anxiety and depression. Results: 16.9% of patients had at least moderate anxiety, and 34.9% had at least moderate depression. T -test showed that females scored higher on GAD-7 and PHQ-9 than males, and patients without accompanying long-standing diseases, who were not concerned about COVID-19, had lower GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores. ANOVA showed that participants aged from 30 to 39, with higher education scored higher on GAD-7, and patients with better sleep, and having less concern about COVID-19, had lower GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores. Regression analysis indicated that participant ages of 30–39 and 40–49 positively predicted anxiety, whereas patient ages of 30–39 years positively predicted depression. Patients with poor sleep, accompanying diseases, and concern about the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Conclusion: During the pandemic, Chinese community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia had high rates of anxiety and depression. These patients deserve clinical attention and psychological intervention, especially those with risk factors.

Keywords: schizophrenia; COVID-19; pandemic; anxiety; depression (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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