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Loneliness and Depression among Women in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Anna Idzik(199)

    (Department of Development of Nursing, Social and Medical Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw ul., Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Anna Leńczuk-Gruba

    (Department of Development of Nursing, Social and Medical Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw ul., Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Ewa Kobos

    (Department of Development of Nursing, Social and Medical Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw ul., Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Mariola Pietrzak

    (Department of Development of Nursing, Social and Medical Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw ul., Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Beata Dziedzic

    (Department of Development of Nursing, Social and Medical Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw ul., Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many changes in the functioning of people all over the world in a short period of time. According to a WHO report (2020), it is women who are at a particular risk of the negative effects of the pandemic, especially in terms of mental health. Aim of study: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety, depression, irritability, and loneliness among adult women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on a representative sample of women in Poland (n = 452). The data were collected using the HADS-M scale and the R-UCLA scale. Results: A low level of loneliness was found in 37.3% of the women, moderate in 38.9%, moderately high in 22.3% and very high in 1.3% of women. Self-rating of physical and mental health was significantly positively correlated with anxiety, depression, and irritability in HADS-M, and loneliness in R-UCLA. As the severity of loneliness increased, so did Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores on all subscales ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: The study group presented with mental well-being disorders in the form of anxiety and depression. Two in three women experienced loneliness.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Idzik(199) & Anna Leńczuk-Gruba & Ewa Kobos & Mariola Pietrzak & Beata Dziedzic, 2021. "Loneliness and Depression among Women in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:20:p:10698-:d:654416
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Carlos De La Cruz-Valdiviano & Aldo Bazán-Ramírez & Carmela Henostroza-Mota & Marina Cossío-Reynaga & Rocío Yrene Torres-Prado, 2023. "Influence of Loneliness, Anxiety, and Depression on Suicidal Ideation in Peruvian Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-14, February.
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    4. Ewa Kupcewicz & Marzena Mikla & Helena Kadučáková & Elżbieta Grochans, 2022. "Loneliness and Satisfaction with Life among Nursing Students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-16, March.
    5. Beata Dziedzic & Ewa Kobos & Zofia Sienkiewicz & Anna Idzik, 2022. "Mental Health of Nurses during the Fourth Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-12, February.

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