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Shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic: Psychological responses from a subjective perspective–A longitudinal mixed-methods study across five European countries

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Listed:
  • Irina Zrnić Novaković
  • Dean Ajduković
  • Helena Bakić
  • Camila Borges
  • Margarida Figueiredo-Braga
  • Annett Lotzin
  • Xenia Anastassiou-Hadjicharalambous
  • Chrysanthi Lioupi
  • Jana Darejan Javakhishvili
  • Lela Tsiskarishvili
  • Brigitte Lueger-Schuster

Abstract

Background: Contextual factors are essential for understanding long-term adjustment to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the present study investigated changes in mental health outcomes and subjective pandemic-related experiences over time and across countries. The main objective was to explore how psychological responses vary in relation to individual and environmental factors. Methods: The sample consisted of N = 1070 participants from the general population of Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, and Portugal. We applied a longitudinal mixed-methods approach, with baseline assessment in summer and autumn 2020 (T1) and follow-up assessment 12 months later (T2). Qualitative content analysis by Mayring was used to analyse open-ended questions about stressful events, positive and negative aspects of the pandemic, and recommendations on how to cope. Mental health outcomes were assessed with the Adjustment Disorder–New Module 8 (ADNM-8), the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5), the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), and the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5). The analyses were performed with SPSS Statistics Version 26 and MAXQDA 2022. Results: The mental health outcomes significantly differed over time and across countries, with e.g. Greek participants showing decrease in adjustment disorder symptoms (p = .007) between T1 and T2. Compared with other countries, we found better mental health outcomes in the Austrian and the Croatian sample at both timepoints (p

Suggested Citation

  • Irina Zrnić Novaković & Dean Ajduković & Helena Bakić & Camila Borges & Margarida Figueiredo-Braga & Annett Lotzin & Xenia Anastassiou-Hadjicharalambous & Chrysanthi Lioupi & Jana Darejan Javakhishvil, 2023. "Shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic: Psychological responses from a subjective perspective–A longitudinal mixed-methods study across five European countries," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(4), pages 1-32, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0285078
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285078
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Gema Zamarro & María J. Prados, 2021. "Gender differences in couples’ division of childcare, work and mental health during COVID-19," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 11-40, March.
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    1. Ayisha Khalid & Jessica Naidu & Tanvir C Turin, 2024. "“It’s not just about you”: International students’ vulnerabilities and capacities during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(10), pages 1-18, October.

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