Psykisk ohälsa i pandemins spår: en kvantitativ studie om riskfaktorer för psykisk ohälsa under Covid-19

Sammanfattning: The outbreak of the corona virus Covid-19 has changed the world in a very short time. This study aimed to understand the effects of the pandemic on mental health, and to find groups at risk for mental illness as well as associated factors. The study was conducted as an online cross-sectional survey (n = 360), to Swedish speaking people 18 years or older. More than 55% reported that their mental health had deteriorated during the pandemic and 10% reported that the deterioration was severe. In general, we found an increase of anxiety, but also depression in comparison to mental health studies before the pandemic. The mean value for anxiety was above the cutoff threshold for mild anxiety (HADS Anxiety scale: M=9.06, SD=4.63). Standardized measures of depression, anxiety and personality was used together with factors regarding the pandemic. Neuroticism was the strongest personality predictor for poor mental health during Covid-19. Other risk factors were being younger, being on sick leave, or being unemployed. The major difficulties with Covid-19 were concerns regarding infection, family and close relatives, and concern about the future. More studies are needed on the effects of the pandemic on mental health. Such studies could help to plan and distribute preventative measures and treatment where it is most needed.