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© 2024. This work is published under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Introduction: Amid the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, a notable increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression has become a pressing concern. This study examined the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in Canada from September to December 2020, assessing demographic and socioeconomic influences, as well as the potential role of COVID-19 diagnoses and related negative experiences.

Methods: Data were drawn from the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health by Statistics Canada, which used a two-stage sample design to gather responses from 14 689 adults across ten provinces and three territorial capitals, excluding less than 2% of the population. Data were collected through self-administered electronic questionnaires or phone interviews. Analytical techniques, such as frequencies, cross-tabulation and logistic regression, were used to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms, the demographic characteristics of Canadians with increased anxiety and depression symptoms and the association of these symptoms with COVID-19 diagnoses and negative experiences during the pandemic.

Results: The study found that 14.62% (95% CI: 13.72%–15.51%) of respondents exhibited symptoms of depression, while 12.89% (95% CI: 12.04%–13.74%) reported anxiety symptoms. No clear differences in symptom prevalence were observed between those infected by COVID-19, or those close to someone infected, compared to those without these experiences. However, there were strong associations between traditional risk factors for depressive and anxiety symptoms and negative experiences during the pandemic, such as physical health problems, loneliness and personal relationship challenges in the household.

Conclusion: This study provides insight into the relationship between COVID-19 and Canadians’ mental health, demonstrating an increased prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms associated with COVID-19-related adversities and common pre-pandemic determinants of these symptoms. The findings suggest that mental health during the pandemic was primarily shaped by traditional determinants of depression and anxiety symptoms and also by negative experiences during the pandemic.

Details

Title
Associations between negative COVID-19 experiences and symptoms of anxiety and depression: a study based on a representative Canadian national sample
Author
Rao, Sandy; Dimitropoulos, Gina; Williams, Jeanne V A; Sharifi, Vandad; Fahim, Mina; Amlish Munir; Bulloch, Andrew G M; Patten, Scott B
Section
Original quantitative research
Publication year
2024
Publication date
Feb 2024
Publisher
Public Health Agency of Canada
e-ISSN
2368738X
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3128891316
Copyright
© 2024. This work is published under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.