Prevalence and predictors of psychological distress before, during and after a pandemic wave of COVID-19 in 2021, in Switzerland

Stephanie Schrempft, Nick Pullen, Hélène Baysson, Ania Wisniak, María-Eugenia Zaballa, Francesco Pennacchio, Peter Vollenweider, Pedro Marques-Vidal, Martin Preisig, Idris Guessous & Silvia Stringhini, on behalf of the Specchio-COVID19 study group.
Prevalence and predictors of psychological distress before, during, and after a COVID-19 pandemic wave in Switzerland, 2021. Journal of Psychiatric Research 158 (2023) 192-201. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.12.042.

Summary:

Background: There are concerns about the acute and long-term mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the prevalence and predictors of psychological distress before, during and after a pandemic wave in Switzerland in 2021.

Methods: The prevalence of psychological distress was estimated in adults aged 35 to 96 using an online questionnaire offered in June 2021 (Specchio-COVID19 cohort, N = 3965), and compared with values from 2003 to 2006 (CoLaus|PsyCoLaus cohort, N = 5667). Anxiety and depression were assessed from February to June 2021 using the GAD-2 and PHQ-2 scales respectively.

Results : The prevalence of psychological distress in June 2021, after the pandemic wave (16.0% [95% CI, 14.6%-17.4%]) was comparable to pre-pandemic levels (15.1% [14.0%-16.2%]). Anxiety and depression were highest at the start of the pandemic wave in February 2021 and decreased from February to June 2021 as measures were relaxed. Predictors of psychological distress included being younger, being female, being a lone parent, being unemployed, having changed working hours or lost their job in the last 6 months, perceiving greater severity and contagiousness of COVID-19, and having persistent symptoms (post COVID).

Conclusion: In June 2021, after a pandemic wave, the prevalence of psychological distress was closer to pre-pandemic levels. These results underline the need for additional mental health support during periods of stricter government policies on COVID-19; however, they also suggest that individuals can adapt relatively quickly to the changing context.

Link to the article in English