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Predictors of Psychological Distress Among People with and Without Pre-Existing Mental Health Problems During the COVID-19 Pandemic

14 Pages Posted: 13 Dec 2022 Publication Status: Preprint

See all articles by Helena Jerkovic

Helena Jerkovic

University Hospital Center ”Sestre Milosrdnice”

Dolores Britvic

University of Split - School of Medicine

Vesna Anticevic

University of Split

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to investigate the importance of sociodemographic factors, pandemic-related worries, social support, subjective psychological distress in individuals with and without MHP at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: A cross-sectional study was performed from March to April 2020 using an online survey. Adults who reported MHP (n = 388) were compared to respondents without MHP (n = 846) on COVID-19-related worries scale, social support scale and psychological distress scale.

Results: The results showed that social support and the pandemic-related worries contributed to higher levels of psychological distress in both groups. Female gender was negatively associated with well-being and psychological problems in non MGP group and general psychological distress and less well-being in MHP group. Lower educational levels contributed to higher psychological distress, risky behaviors, lower daily functioning and well-being in participants with MHP.

Conclusion: More social support and less pandemic-related worries were identified as the strongest protective factors for experiencing psychological distress during pandemic regardless of pre-existing MHP. Female gender, younger age and lower levels of education were found as risk factors in people with MHP. These findings suggest the need for tailoring COVID-19-related mental health interventions to meet the specific needs of people with pre-existing MHP.

Note:

Funding Information: This study was not endorsed by any particular funding.

Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Ethics Approval Statement: Approval for this study was obtained from the Ethics committee of the University Department of Health Studies, University of Split, according to their Code of biomedical research.. The participants were explained the purpose of the study and gave informed consent before continuing to the survey.

Keywords: COVID-19, mental health problems, psychological distress, sociodemographic factors, pandemic-related worries

Suggested Citation

Jerkovic, Helena and Britvic, Dolores and Anticevic, Vesna, Predictors of Psychological Distress Among People with and Without Pre-Existing Mental Health Problems During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4298225 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4298225

Helena Jerkovic

University Hospital Center ”Sestre Milosrdnice” ( email )

Dolores Britvic (Contact Author)

University of Split - School of Medicine ( email )

Vesna Anticevic

University of Split ( email )

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