The Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 on an Adult Indian Population

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was a pandemic with many physical, psychological, and socioeconomic effects. COVID-19 caused a global increase in anxiety and depression because of its novelty, high infectivity, varied presentation, and unpredictable mortality. In the face of collapsing healthcare facilities, monetary setbacks, and loneliness because of lockdowns, people were anxious, and this was compounded by media sensationalism. We aimed to study the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on the adult Indian population.

An online survey using SurveyMonkey was floated through WhatsApp messages in April 2020, using the 'chain-referral sampling' method. Responses from individuals >18 years were included, and questions included age, sex, occupation, demographics, and socioeconomic conditions. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scales. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS software, and predictors of anxiety and depression were assessed.

A total of 2640 responses from individuals between 18 years and 81 years were analyzed, of which 39% were from females and 85% from those <50 years of age. There were students (15.6%), teachers (10.7%), healthcare workers (16.8%), homemakers (9%), and daily wage laborers (4.1%), among others. Nearly 80% lived in cities, 55% had salaried jobs, 37% were working from home, 22% were temporarily unemployed, 10% were feeling work stress, 11% had increased alcohol intake, and 7.5% saw an increase in domestic violence. The income of 50% was adversely affected. Nearly 50% of our respondents had some symptoms of anxiety, and 23% had significant anxiety (GAD ≥5). The presence of anxiety was significantly higher in females, younger adults, city dwellers, healthcare workers, unemployed people, individuals living away from home, those without fixed salaries, those with work stress, and in people whose incomes had been adversely affected by the pandemic. On logistic regression analysis, female sex, younger age, unemployment, lack of salaried jobs, work stress, being a healthcare worker, and media reports were independent predictors of anxiety. About 60% of our respondents had some symptoms of depression, with 26% having significant depression (PHQ-9 ≥5). The presence of depression was significantly higher in females, younger adults, city dwellers, unemployed people, individuals living away from home without fixed salaries, and people with work stress. On logistic regression analysis, younger age, female sex, unemployment, lack of salaried jobs, work stress, and media reports were independent predictors of depression. Among our respondents, 70% used the time during the lockdown to study, 77% caught up with their families, and 56% reconnected with hobbies. Nearly 88% of our respondents had adjusted to their changing circumstances, helped by their religious beliefs and faith, the support of family and friends, good government measures, and the assurance of healthcare.

Significant anxiety and depression were seen in 23% and 26% of respondents, respectively. Being a healthcare worker was an independent predictor of anxiety. Female sex, younger age, unemployment, work stress, and sensational media reports were independent predictors of both anxiety and depression.