Association between Diagnosed Anxiety and Depression and Exposure to Life Stressors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

Emily Hallgren PhD, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences NorthwestFollow
Don E. Willis PhD, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences NorthwestFollow
Brett Rowland MA, Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences NorthwestFollow
James P. Selig PhD, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesFollow
Pearl A. McElfish PhD, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences NorthwestFollow

Keywords

mental health; stressors; anxiety; depression; COVID-19 pandemic

Disciplines

Community Health | Epidemiology | Other Mental and Social Health | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Virus Diseases

Abstract

Research suggests that mental health disorders heighten the risk of exposure to life stressors. Drawing on a sample of 754 adults from a survey distributed at six primary care clinics, we examine whether adults who reported ever being diagnosed with depression or anxiety were more likely to experience an employment disruption, a housing disruption, and/or report more COVID-19-related stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals who reported ever being diagnosed with depression reported a greater burden (B=.75) of COVID-19-related stressors. Those who reported ever being diagnosed with anxiety had higher odds of experiencing an employment disruption (OR=1.90) and a housing disruption (OR=2.92) and reported about one (B=.97) additional COVID-19-related stressor. Our results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic may have deepened existing mental health disparities by exposing those with a depression or anxiety diagnosis to additional life stressors.

Recommended Citation

Hallgren, Emily PhD; Willis, Don E. PhD; Rowland, Brett MA; Selig, James P. PhD; and McElfish, Pearl A. PhD (2021) "Association between Diagnosed Anxiety and Depression and Exposure to Life Stressors during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 14: Iss. 4, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol14/iss4/6