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Evaluating How Mental Health Changed in Australia through the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from the ‘ Taking the Pulse of the Nation ’ (TTPN) Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Ferdi Botha

    (Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, Indooroopilly 4068, Australia)

  • Peter Butterworth

    (Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia
    Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia)

  • Roger Wilkins

    (Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia
    Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), 53111 Bonn, Germany)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health at the level of the population. The current study adds to the evidence base by examining how the prevalence of psychological distress changed in Australia during the pandemic. The study also assesses the psychometric properties of a new single-item measure of mental distress included in a survey program conducted regularly throughout the pandemic. Data are from 1158 respondents in wave 13 (early July 2020) of the nationally representative Taking the Pulse of the Nation (TTPN) Survey. The questionnaire included the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and a new single-item measure of distress. Results show a significant increase in the prevalence of psychological distress in Australia, from 6.3% pre-pandemic to 17.7% in early July 2020 (unadjusted odds ratio = 3.19; 95% CI (confidence interval) = 2.51 to 4.05). The new single-item measure of distress is highly correlated with the K6. This study provides a snapshot at one point in time about how mental health worsened in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, by demonstrating the accuracy of the new single-item measure of distress, this analysis also provides a basis for further research examining the trajectories and correlates of distress in Australia across the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Ferdi Botha & Peter Butterworth & Roger Wilkins, 2022. "Evaluating How Mental Health Changed in Australia through the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from the ‘ Taking the Pulse of the Nation ’ (TTPN) Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:1:p:558-:d:717765
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    Cited by:

    1. Mario J. Valladares-Garrido & Aldo Alvarez-Risco & Annel B. Rojas-Alvarado & José A. Zuniga-Cáceres & Naylamp A. Estrella Izarra & Christopher Ichiro Peralta & David Astudillo & Cristian Díaz-Vélez & , 2022. "Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Positivity in Patients Treated at the Lambayeque Regional Hospital, Peru during a Pandemic Period," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-15, November.

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