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COVID-19 Pandemic: Age-Related Differences in Measures of Stress, Anxiety and Depression in Canada

Author

Listed:
  • Izu Nwachukwu

    (Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Nnamdi Nkire

    (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2R3, Canada
    Addiction and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada)

  • Reham Shalaby

    (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2R3, Canada)

  • Marianne Hrabok

    (Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 1N4, Canada
    Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2R3, Canada)

  • Wesley Vuong

    (Addiction and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada)

  • April Gusnowski

    (Addiction and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada)

  • Shireen Surood

    (Addiction and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada)

  • Liana Urichuk

    (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2R3, Canada
    Addiction and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada)

  • Andrew J. Greenshaw

    (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2R3, Canada)

  • Vincent I.O. Agyapong

    (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2R3, Canada
    Addiction and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada)

Abstract

Background: The spread of COVID-19 along with strict public health measures have resulted in unintended adverse effects, including greater levels of distress, anxiety, and depression. This study examined relative presentations of these psychopathologies in different age groups in a Canadian cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: Participants were subscribers to the Text4Hope program, developed to support Albertans during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey link was used to gather demographic information and responses on several self-report scales, such as Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Results: There were 8267 individuals who completed the survey, giving a response rate of 19.4%. Overall, 909 (11.0%) respondents identified as ≤25 years, 2939 (35.6%) identified as (26–40) years, 3431 (41.5%) identified as (41–60) years, 762 (9.2%) identified as over 60 years, and 226 (2.7%) did not identify their age. Mean scores on the PSS, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 scales were highest among those aged ≤25 and lowest amongst those aged >60 years old. Conclusions: The finding that the prevalence rates and the mean scores for stress, anxiety, and depression on standardized scales to decrease from younger to older subscribers is an interesting observation with potential implications for planning to meet mental health service needs during COVID-19.

Suggested Citation

  • Izu Nwachukwu & Nnamdi Nkire & Reham Shalaby & Marianne Hrabok & Wesley Vuong & April Gusnowski & Shireen Surood & Liana Urichuk & Andrew J. Greenshaw & Vincent I.O. Agyapong, 2020. "COVID-19 Pandemic: Age-Related Differences in Measures of Stress, Anxiety and Depression in Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-10, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6366-:d:407255
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Francesco Ruotolo & Gennaro Ruggiero & Zaira Cattaneo & Maria Arioli & Michela Candini & Francesca Frassinetti & Francesca Pazzaglia & Ferdinando Fornara & Andrea Bosco & Tina Iachini, 2023. "Psychological Reactions during and after a Lockdown: Self-Efficacy as a Protective Factor of Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-15, August.
    2. van de Weijer, Margot P. & de Vries, Lianne P. & Pelt, Dirk H.M. & Ligthart, Lannie & Willemsen, Gonneke & Boomsma, Dorret I. & de Geus, Eco & Bartels, Meike, 2022. "Self-rated health when population health is challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic; a longitudinal study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).
    3. Isidora Vujčić & Teodora Safiye & Bojana Milikić & Emina Popović & Draško Dubljanin & Eleonora Dubljanin & Jakša Dubljanin & Milanko Čabarkapa, 2021. "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Epidemic and Mental Health Status in the General Adult Population of Serbia: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Lucia Jerg-Bretzke & Maximilian Kempf & Marc Nicolas Jarczok & Katja Weimer & Christian Hirning & Harald Gündel & Yesim Erim & Eva Morawa & Franziska Geiser & Nina Hiebel & Kerstin Weidner & Christian, 2021. "Psychosocial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers and Initial Areas of Action for Intervention and Prevention—The egePan/VOICE Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-16, October.
    5. Vincent I. O. Agyapong & Reham Shalaby & Marianne Hrabok & Wesley Vuong & Jasmine M. Noble & April Gusnowski & Kelly Mrklas & Daniel Li & Mark Snaterse & Shireen Surood & Bo Cao & Xin-Min Li & Russell, 2021. "Mental Health Outreach via Supportive Text Messages during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Improved Mental Health and Reduced Suicidal Ideation after Six Weeks in Subscribers of Text4Hope Compared to a Control," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.
    6. Gaia Sampogna & Maurizio Pompili & Andrea Fiorillo, 2021. "Mental Health in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Worldwide Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-5, December.
    7. Kimberly C. Thomson & Emily Jenkins & Randip Gill & Chris G. Richardson & Monique Gagné Petteni & Corey McAuliffe & Anne M. Gadermann, 2021. "Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Mental Health in Canada: Findings from a Multi-Round Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-17, November.
    8. José Garrucho Martins & Carlos Miguel Ferreira & Sandro Serpa, 2021. "Interdependencies between COVID-19, Mental Illness and Living Uneasiness," Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Richtmann Publishing Ltd, vol. 10, January.
    9. Daniel Tzu-Hsuan Chen & Yi-Jen Wang, 2021. "Inequality-Related Health and Social Factors and Their Impact on Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a National Survey in the UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-9, January.

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