Publication:
Mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic: An international comparison of gender-related home and work-related responsibilities, and social support

Placeholder

Departments

School / College / Institute

Program

KU Authors

Co-Authors

Eugene, Dominique
Nothling, Jani
Tarsitani, Lorenzo
Palantza, Christina
Papola, Davide
Barbui, Corrado
Bryant, Richard
Panter-Brick, Catherine
Hall, Brian J.
Lam, Agnes Iok Fok

Publication Date

Language

Embargo Status

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Alternative Title

Abstract

Purpose To assess gender differences in COVID-19 related changes in home and work responsibilities longitudinally, and determine whether these differences, together with other potential risk and protective factors, are associated with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology. Method Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD were measured using an online survey instrument, between May 2020 and April 2021, in four waves completed at 3-monthly intervals. Analyses were based on data from the COvid MEntal healTh (COMET) survey which investigated the mental health effects of the COVID-19 outbreak spanning 13 countries on five continents in N = 7,909 participants. Results From the first to the last wave, women reported a greater increase in home and work responsibilities, and had higher depression, anxiety and PTSD scores compared to men. Women who reported a reduction in income due to the pandemic had higher depression scores. Working harder and experiencing a reduction in income were also associated with higher anxiety scores in women but not in men. Women were more likely to score above the cut-off for depression (32.5% vs 23.6%, p < .001), anxiety (21.2% vs 14.4%, p < .001) and PTSD (21.2% vs 14.4%, p < .001) than men during the first wave. Stronger reliance on socially supported coping mechanisms was a risk factor for depression, anxiety and PTSD in men and women. Conclusion Women were more likely to report mental health problems which may be related to the gender disproportionate increase in home and work responsibilities but not necessarily due to COVID-19 stressors.

Source

Publisher

Springer Wien

Subject

Psychiatry

Citation

Has Part

Source

ARCHIVES OF WOMENS MENTAL HEALTH

Book Series Title

Edition

DOI

10.1007/s00737-024-01497-3

item.page.datauri

Link

Rights

Copyrights Note

Endorsement

Review

Supplemented By

Referenced By

0

Views

0

Downloads

View PlumX Details