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Published on: November 11, 2022
Determinants of Stress Levels and Behavioral Reactions in Individuals With Affective or Anxiety Disorders During the
Mikhail Yu Sorokin1, Evgeny D Kasyanov2, Grigory V Rukavishnikov2
1Department of Integrative Pharmaco-Psychotherapy of Patients With Mental Disorders, V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Neurology, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Introduction:
Individuals with affective and anxiety disorders are among those most vulnerable to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aim:
This study aims to analyze the determinants of stress levels and protective behavioral strategies associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Russian-speaking people with affective or anxiety disorders (AADs).
Materials And Methods:
In this cross-sectional online survey, the psychological distress and behavioral patterns of respondents with self-reported AAD (n = 1,375) and without disorders (n = 4,278) were evaluated during three periods of restrictive measures in Russia (March-May 2020). Distress levels were verified using the Psychological Stress Measure (PSM-25).
Results:
Stress levels among respondents with AAD were higher at all study periods than for those with no mental disorder (Cohen's d 0.8-1.6). The stress level increased (Cohen's d = 0.4) in adolescents (16-18 years) with AAD and remained the same in those without disorders; in youths (19-24 years) with and without disorders, an increase (Cohen's d = 0.3) and a decrease (Cohen's d = 0.3) in the stress were observed, correspondingly; the stress in adults (25-44 years) with disorders did not change and decreased in those without disorders (Cohen's d = 0.4). Individuals with bipolar disorders demonstrated lower stress than individuals with depressive (Cohen's d = 0.15) and anxiety disorders (Cohen's d = 0.27). Respondents with depressive and bipolar disorders employed fewer protective measures simultaneously and were less likely to search for information about COVID-19.
Conclusion:
The presence of affective or anxiety disorders is associated with a more acute response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Apparently, the type of mental disorder influenced stress levels and protective behavior patterns.
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