Journal Article

Generalized anxiety and depressive symptoms in various age groups during the COVID-19 lockdown in Poland. Specific predictors and differences in symptoms severity

Woźniak-Prus, Małgorzata, Cudo, Andrzej, Gambin, Małgorzata, Sękowski, Marcin, Łyś, Agnieszka Ewa, Gorgol, Joanna, Maison, Dominika, Holas, Paweł, Kubicka, Karolina, Oleksy, Tomasz, Hansen, Karolina, Kmita, Grażyna, Wnuk, Anna, Huflejt-Łukasik, Mirosława, Łojek, Emilia

2021

Overview

Previous studies carried out in different countries have indicated that young adults experienced higher levels of emotional distress, in the form of depressive and anxiety symptoms, than older age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about which pandemic-related difficulties and factors may contribute to these forms of emotional distress in various age groups. The aim of the current study was to investigate: (i) differences in levels of depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms in four age groups in the Polish population during the COVID-19 lockdown; (ii) differences in perceived difficulties related to the pandemic in these groups; and (iii) which factors and difficulties related to the pandemic are the best predictors of generalized anxiety and depressive symptoms in various age groups during the COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 1115 participants (aged 18–85) took part in the study. The sample was representative of the Polish population in terms of sex, age, and place of residence. Participants completed the following online: the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, a Scale of Perceived Health and Life Risk of COVID-19, a Social Support Scale, and a Scale of Pandemic-Related Difficulties. Younger age groups (18–29 and 30–44) experienced higher levels of depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms than older adults (45–59 and 60–85 years). Household relationship difficulties were among the most significant predictors of depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms in all age groups. Fear and uncertainty related to the spread of the virus was one of the most important predictors of emotional distress in all the groups apart from the adults between 18 and 29 years, whereas difficulties related to external restrictions were one of the most significant predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms exclusively in the youngest group. The youngest adults and those experiencing difficulties in relationships among household members are the most vulnerable to depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 lockdown. It is important to plan preventive and therapeutic interventions to support these at-risk individuals in dealing with the various challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. •Younger adults experienced higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms than older adults during the COVID-19 lockdown.•Household relationship difficulties were one of the strongest predictors of depression and anxiety in all the age groups.•Fear of the virus spread was a significant predictor of emotional distress in all groups apart from the youngest adults.•Difficulties related to external restrictions were significant predictors of depression and anxiety in the youngest group.

• Publisher: Elsevier Inc,Elsevier Limited,Elsevier
• Subject: Adolescent / Adult / Adults / Age groups / Aged / Aged, 80 and over / Anxiety / Child & adolescent psychiatry / Child psychology / Communicable Disease Control / Coronavirus / Coronaviruses / COVID-19 / COVID-19 lockdown / Depression / Depressive symptoms / Generalized anxiety disorder / Generalized anxiety symptoms / Households / Humans / Mental Health / Middle age / Middle Aged / Pandemic / Pandemics / Poland / SARS-CoV-2 / Shelter in place / Students / Young Adult