Mental health in the Austrian general population during COVID-19: Cross-sectional study on the association with sociodemographic factors

Elke Humer; Yvonne Schaffler; Andrea Jesser; Thomas Probst; Christoph Pieh

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.943303

Mental health in the Austrian general population during COVID-19: Cross-sectional study on the association with sociodemographic factors

Front Psychiatry. 2022 Nov 24:13:943303. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.943303. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Elke Humer¹, Yvonne Schaffler¹, Andrea Jesser¹, Thomas Probst¹, Christoph Pieh¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria.

Abstract

Introduction: The impact of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the associated governmental restrictions on mental health have been reported in different countries. This cross-sectional study evaluated mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria and the association with sociodemographic factors (i.e., age, sex, education, income, employment status, partnership status, and migration background).

Methods: A representative sample (N = 1,031) of the Austrian general population was surveyed online end of April 2022. Indicators of mental health were depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), insomnia (ISI), alcohol abuse (CAGE), eating disorders (SCOFF), and stress (PSS-10).

Results: 1,031 participants completed the online survey (50.3% women; mean age: 45.6 ± 17.23 years). Cut-offs for clinically relevant depression were exceeded by 28%. 16% scored above the cut-off for clinically relevant anxiety symptoms, 15% for clinical insomnia, 18% for alcohol abuse, 26% for eating disorders, and 65% for moderate to high stress. Comparisons with another cross-sectional representative Austrian sample recruited during the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria (April 2020) revealed increases in depression (from 21 to 28%) but no significant changes in anxiety, insomnia, and moderate to high stress. Multivariable logistic regression showed the strongest associations of mental health indicators with age, income, and sex. Increasing age and income were associated with lower odds of mental health symptoms. Being female compared to male increased the odds of depressive symptoms while decreasing the odds of alcohol abuse.

Discussion: The COVID-19 crisis seems particularly stressful for younger adults (<35 years) and people with low income (<€2,000 net household income per month). Policymakers need to consider the high social and economic costs of lockdowns and think of optimal intervention methods for mental disorders among young and low-income individuals.

Keywords: COVID-19; alcohol abuse; anxiety; depression; eating disorders; insomnia; sociodemographic status; stress.