Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Mental Health
Date Submitted: Apr 6, 2021
Date Accepted: Jul 18, 2021
Date Submitted to PubMed: Aug 12, 2021
The Persistence of The Impact of COVID-19 Related Distress, Mood Inertia and Loneliness on Mental Health During a Post-lockdown Phase in Germany: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic 2020 increased mental health problems. However, little is known about mental health problems during a low incidence phase without strict public health measures.
Objective:
We focused on a vulnerable population, who experienced at least mild COVID-19 related distress and loneliness. The goal was to investigate how COVID-19 related distress, COVID-19 case numbers, mood regulation and loneliness may affect mental health after a strict lockdown has ended.
Methods:
During a post-lockdown period in Germany (between 8. August 2020 and 01. November 2020), we conducted an ecological momentary assessment (EMA). To estimate moment-to moment and day-to-day negative mood inertia, we conducted a three-level autoregressive (AR) model.
Results:
We found that information exposure and active daily COVID-19 cases did not have an impact on negative mood amid a post-lockdown. However, we found a day-to-day carry over effect of negative mood. Moreover, worrying about COVID-19, feeling restricted by COVID-19, and feeling lonely increased negative mood.
Conclusions:
Mental health of a vulnerable population is impacted by COVID-19 related stressors, even under a lenient lockdown. This study highlights the need to protect mental health during a post-pandemic phase.
Citation
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Copyright
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