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Associations between social COVID-19 exposure and psychological functioning
Malwina Lewicka1, Jada G Hamilton2, Erika A Waters3
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 641 Lexington Ave, New York, NY, 10022, USA. tumanm@mskcc.org.
Journal of Behavioral Medicine
|November 5, 2022
Summary
Knowing someone with COVID-19 (social exposure) increased anxiety and stress. Women, younger individuals, and those with lower incomes experienced greater psychological distress, highlighting needs for targeted mental health support.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global mental health.
- Research has focused on direct infection, but the effects of social exposure to COVID-19 on psychological well-being are less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between social COVID-19 exposure and psychological functioning.
- To determine if socio-demographic factors moderate the relationship between social COVID-19 exposure and mental health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted in June 2020 with 343 respondents from clinics in Tampa, Florida.
- Participants reported social COVID-19 exposure, anxiety, depression, stress, and COVID-19-related concerns.
Main Results:
- Social COVID-19 exposure correlated with increased anxiety, stress, and concerns about family illness and substance use.
- The impact of social exposure on psychological functioning was more pronounced in women, younger individuals, and those with lower incomes.
Conclusions:
- Social exposure to COVID-19 poses significant psychological risks.
- Specific demographic groups, including women, younger individuals, and low-income populations, require prioritized mental health interventions during pandemic recovery.
Keywords:
COVID-19COVID-19 concernsExploratory factor analysis (EFA)Moderation analysesPsychological functioningSocial factorsMore Related Videos
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