Post-COVID-19 distress and unhealthy behavior

COVID-19 is one of the most devastating pandemics in history. It is important to understand post-COVID-19 mental health issues and unhealthy behaviors.

Investigate whether and how distress levels and unhealthy behaviors might differ across population segments after the end of a nationwide COVID-19 outbreak.

Using random sampling, this large-scale study analyzed post-COVID-19 distress and unhealthy behaviors of individuals in Wuhan vs. Beijing in China (which were differentially impacted by the pandemic).

Higher percentages of individuals residing in Wuhan (vs. Beijing) experienced moderate or severe post-COVID-19 distress. Higher percentages of men (vs. women) experienced moderate distress. Larger percentages of people with (vs. without) children experienced a severe level of distress. Post-COVID-19, higher percentages of people decreased (vs. increased) smoking and drinking, but the opposite was true for unhealthy snacking. Importantly, higher post-COVID-19 distress predicted higher consumption in all three unhealthy domains. Men (vs. women) were more likely to increase smoking and drinking; younger individuals were more likely to increase drinking and unhealthy snacking.

Some population segments were disproportionately susceptible to post-COVID-19 distress and unhealthy behaviors. Post-pandemic policies and interventions are needed to help people, especially the most vulnerable, improve their mental health and physical well-being.