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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health: Evidence from Cyprus

Author

Listed:
  • Marilena Mousoulidou

    (Department of Psychology, Neapolis University Pafos, 8042 Paphos, Cyprus)

  • Michailina Siakalli

    (Department of Psychology, Neapolis University Pafos, 8042 Paphos, Cyprus)

  • Andri Christodoulou

    (Department of Psychology, Neapolis University Pafos, 8042 Paphos, Cyprus)

  • Marios Argyrides

    (Department of Psychology, Neapolis University Pafos, 8042 Paphos, Cyprus)

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to examine mental health effects of the first wave of COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease-19) in Cyprus. Accordingly, 388 individuals aged 18–65+ responded to the Components of Mental Health Questionnaire that was distributed via social media for two weeks assessing how emotional distress, support and interest in self and others, lifestyle changes, engagement in protective measures, and avoidant behaviors were related to participants’ gender, age, and place of residency. Additionally, we measured the level of concern of individuals during and after the first wave outbreak of the pandemic. The results suggest that (a) females experience higher levels of anxiety, stress, fear, worry, and despair than males and are more likely to undertake protective measures, (b) older individuals and those who live in urban areas perceive greater social support and interest in the emotional experience of significant others, (c) emotional distress and support and interest in self and others are associated with all other variables, indicating the importance of these constructs to the experience of a pandemic, and (d) there was a decrease in participants’ concern after the end of the first wave of the pandemic. Mental health professionals could find this information useful when developing and implementing prevention programs that aim to offer psychological support during this stressful period.

Suggested Citation

  • Marilena Mousoulidou & Michailina Siakalli & Andri Christodoulou & Marios Argyrides, 2021. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health: Evidence from Cyprus," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:3868-:d:531546
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yingfei Zhang & Zheng Feei Ma, 2020. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Quality of Life among Local Residents in Liaoning Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Selçuk Özdin & Şükriye Bayrak Özdin, 2020. "Levels and predictors of anxiety, depression and health anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic in Turkish society: The importance of gender," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(5), pages 504-511, August.
    3. Julio Torales & Marcelo O’Higgins & João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia & Antonio Ventriglio, 2020. "The outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus and its impact on global mental health," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(4), pages 317-320, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jorge Quintas & Ana Guerreiro & Maria João Leote de Carvalho & Vera Duarte & Ana Rita Pedro & Ana Filipa Gama & Inês Keygnaert & Sónia Dias, 2022. "The Implication of the First Wave of COVID-19 on Mental Health: Results from a Portuguese Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-12, May.
    2. Marilena Mousoulidou & Andri Christodoulou & Michailina Siakalli & Marios Argyrides, 2023. "The Role of Conspiracy Theories, Perceived Risk, and Trust in Science on COVID-19 Vaccination Decisiveness: Evidence from Cyprus," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Junko Okuyama & Shin-Ichi Izumi & Shunichi Funakoshi & Shuji Seto & Hiroyuki Sasaki & Kiyoshi Ito & Fumihiko Imamura & Mayumi Willgerodt & Yu Fukuda, 2022. "Supporting adolescents’ mental health during COVID-19 by utilising lessons from the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-13, December.

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