Study links rising stress, depression in U.S. to pandemic-related
losses, media consumption
Researchers suggest providing mental health services to those with the greatest need

Date:
September 28, 2020
Source:
University of California - Irvine
Summary:
Experiencing multiple stressors triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic
- - such as unemployment -- and COVID-19-related media consumption
are directly linked to rising acute stress and depressive symptoms
across the United States, according to a new study.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Experiencing multiple stressors triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic -- such
as unemployment -- and COVID-19-related media consumption are directly
linked to rising acute stress and depressive symptoms across the U.S., according to a groundbreaking University of California, Irvine study.


==========================================================================
The report appears in Science Advances, published by the American
Association for the Advancement of Science.

"The pandemic is not hitting all communities equally," said lead author E.

Alison Holman, UCI professor of nursing. "People have lost wages, jobs
and loved ones with record speed. Individuals living with chronic mental
and physical illness are struggling; young people are struggling; poor communities are struggling. Mental health services need to be tailored to
those most in need right now." In addition, the research highlights the connection between mental health and exposure to media coverage of the
COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting the need to step away from the television, computer or smartphone to protect psychological well-being.

"The media is a critical source of information for people when they're
faced with ambiguous, ongoing disasters," said Roxane Cohen Silver,
professor of psychological science and one of the study's principal investigators. "But too much exposure can be overwhelming and lead to
more stress, worry and perceived risks." With funding from a National
Science Foundation RAPID grant, Holman, Silver, and co-investigators
Dana Rose Garfin and Rebecca R. Thompson conducted a national survey of
more than 6,500 U.S. residents in March and April 2020, as illness and
deaths were rising around the country. Using the NORC AmeriSpeak panel,
the study was the first of its kind to examine early predictors of rising mental health problems across the nation. The design let researchers
evaluate the effects of the pandemic as it was unfolding in real time.

"Over the course of the study, the size of the pandemic shifted
dramatically," Holman said. Accordingly, people surveyed later in the
study period reported the highest rate of acute stress and depressive
symptoms.

The UCI team's findings offer insights into priorities for building
community resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic:
* Those with pre-existing mental and physical conditions are more
likely to
show both acute stress and depressive symptoms.

* Secondary stressors -- job and wage loss, a shortage of
necessities -
- are also strong predictors in the development of these symptoms.

* Extensive exposure to pandemic-related news and conflicting
information
in the news are among the strongest predictors of pandemic-specific
acute stress.

"It's critical that we prioritize providing resources to communities most
in need of support right now -- the unemployed, poor or chronically ill
people, and young people," Holman said. "We also encourage the public to
limit exposure to media as an important public health intervention. It
can prevent mental and physical health symptoms and promote resilience."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by
University_of_California_-_Irvine. Note: Content may be edited for style
and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. E. Alison Holman, Rebecca R. Thompson, Dana Rose Garfin, Roxane
Cohen
Silver. The unfolding COVID-19 pandemic: A probability-based,
nationally representative study of mental health in the
U.S.. Science Advances, 2020; eabd5390 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd5390 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200928125055.htm

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