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The Impact of COVID-19 Related Social Distancing on Mental Health Outcomes: A Transdiagnostic Account

Author

Listed:
  • Daniella Spencer-Laitt

    (Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

  • Elizabeth H. Eustis

    (Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

  • David H. Barlow

    (Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

  • Todd J. Farchione

    (Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, and the social distancing practices that followed, have been associated with increased prevalence of emotional disorders. However, not all individuals affected by COVID-19-related social distancing experienced elevations in emotional disorder symptoms. Understanding this phenomenon is of crucial public health significance given the burden of emotional disorders on individuals and systems. In this narrative review, we consider the differential impact of COVID-19-related social distancing on mental health outcomes from a transdiagnostic perspective. We argue that individuals high in negative affect and aversive reactivity to emotion, that is, neuroticism, and who respond to such emotional experiences with emotion-motivated avoidant coping, are most likely to experience emotional disorders in the context of COVID-19 social distancing. We acknowledge the pro-social and adaptive function of some types of avoidance during the pandemic, which may have initially buffered against negative mental health outcomes. Implications of this conceptualization for treatment of emotional disorders in the present sociocultural context are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniella Spencer-Laitt & Elizabeth H. Eustis & David H. Barlow & Todd J. Farchione, 2022. "The Impact of COVID-19 Related Social Distancing on Mental Health Outcomes: A Transdiagnostic Account," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:11:p:6596-:d:826633
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Achraf Ammar & Hamdi Chtourou & Omar Boukhris & Khaled Trabelsi & Liwa Masmoudi & Michael Brach & Bassem Bouaziz & Ellen Bentlage & Daniella How & Mona Ahmed & Patrick Mueller & Notger Mueller & Hsen , 2020. "COVID-19 Home Confinement Negatively Impacts Social Participation and Life Satisfaction: A Worldwide Multicenter Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Fabrice Kämpfen & Iliana V Kohler & Alberto Ciancio & Wändi Bruine de Bruin & Jürgen Maurer & Hans-Peter Kohler, 2020. "Predictors of mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic in the US: Role of economic concerns, health worries and social distancing," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-13, November.
    3. 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.
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