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COVID-19 preventive behaviours among people with anxiety and depressive symptoms: findings from Japan
A Stickley1, T Matsubayashi2, H Sueki3
1Faculty of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University, Building No.3 1-6-1 Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 169-8050, Japan; Department of Preventive Intervention for Psychiatric Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashicho, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8553, Japan.
Objectives:
The aim of the study was to examine COVID-19 preventive behaviours among individuals with mental health problems.
Study Design:
This is a pooled cross-sectional study.
Methods:
Online survey data were analysed from 2000 Japanese adults collected in April and May 2020. Information was obtained on 13 COVID-19 preventive behaviours and anxiety and depressive symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the associations.
Results:
In models adjusted for demographic and socio-economic factors, anxiety (coefficient: -0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.30, -0.24) and depressive symptoms (coefficient: -0.82, 95% CI: -1.34, -0.30) were both associated with significantly lower engagement in COVID-19 preventive behaviours.
Conclusion:
Our results highlight the importance of facilitating the performance of preventive behaviours in individuals with mental health problems to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in this population.
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Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
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Depression: Overview
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Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

