Stress about catching and becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 has
risen over the last week amid growing speculation that the UK may
ease lockdown restrictions, according to the UK’s largest survey of
adults’ wellbeing and mental health during the coronavirus epidemic
led by UCL.
The Covid-19 study has found that stress levels are
higher among those living with children than those without. The
findings also show that although life satisfaction ratings had
been returning to pre-Covid-19 levels this improvement has now
halted following discussions around exit from lockdown. Levels
are notably lower in people living in urban areas, where anxiety
and depression levels have also been worse.
Funded by the Nuffield Foundation with additional
support from Wellcome and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the
study now has over 80,000 participants. This week’s findings are
also broken down by gender, those living with children, those who
are keyworkers and those living in rural areas, in addition to
previous reporting by age, mental health diagnosis, income and
whether people live alone or not.
Lead author, Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology
& Health Care) said, “Over the past week we have seen stress
levels rise and the slight improvement in wellbeing we had seen
since lockdown started has plateaued as discussions around an
exit have begun.
“Stress about unemployment remains relatively stable,
with around one in 12 people worried about their future. These
levels are similar across most demographics, although higher in
those under 60 and those with a mental health
diagnosis.
“Around one in six people are worried about finances,
with these levels higher in people under the age of 60, with
lower household incomes, living with children, and with a mental
health diagnosis.
“Stress relating to accessing food has stayed low
over the past week, with only around one in 12 people now worried
about it, although this rises to around one in eight amongst
people with a mental health condition and one in 10 for people
with an annual household income lower than £30,000. It is also
slightly higher in people living with children.”
Cheryl Lloyd, Education Programme Head at the
Nuffield Foundation said: “Based
on survey responses from over 80,000 people in England, this
research can help identify which groups are most at risk
from the social and psychological impacts of the COVID-19
pandemic. As the UK begins to discuss an end to lockdown,
this evidence can inform the government's response so that
it considers and mitigates these risks.”
The study team has also received support from
Wellcome to launch an international network of longitudinal
studies called the COVID-MINDS Network. Through the network,
dozens of scientists and clinicians are coming together
internationally to collate results from mental health studies
running in countries around the world and compare findings. The
initiative will support the launching of new mental health
studies in other countries and show whether actions taken in
specific countries are helping to protect mental
health.
The UK study is still recruiting and
participants can sign-up anonymously
at www.marchnetwork.org/research
