Moreover, given the constraints of lockdown, online recruitment was the only feasible design.ĬCategories A,B,C1, high socioeconomic group categories C2, D, E low socioeconomic group.īetween 31 March and 9 April 2020, members of an existing online UK panel () were invited by email to take part in an online survey on health and well-being (wave 1). 18, 19 Given the time sensitive nature of the study, a quota methodology was selected over probability sampling because it facilitated the recruitment of a well-stratified UK sample at the early phase of lockdown. Weights are based on National Readership Survey and Office for National Statistics data for SEG and UK region, respectively and Census data for age and gender. The weighted and unweighted participant characteristics are presented in Table 1, with further details of gender identity and region reported in supplementary Tables 1 and 2. We employed a quota sampling methodology, with quotas based on age (18–24 years: 12% 25–34: 17% 35–44: 18% 45–54: 18% 55–64: 15% ≥65: 20%), gender (women: 51% men: 49%), socioeconomic grouping (SEG AB: 27% C1: 28% C2: 20% DE: 25%, based on occupation, where A,B and C1 are higher and categories C2, D, E are lower) and region of the UK (12 regions). We recruited a non-probability sample of adults (aged 18 years or older) from across the UK to the UK COVID-19 Mental Health & Wellbeing study (UK COVID-MH), with a longitudinal study design. Participant recruitment was conducted by Taylor McKenzie, a social research company. Study design, setting and participant recruitment 1 To track their effects longitudinally, we assessed a wide range of mental health and well-being outcomes including: symptoms of depression and anxiety well-being defeat entrapment suicidal thoughts and behaviours and loneliness. Lockdown and the social and economic consequences of COVID-19 are likely to be associated with loneliness, social isolation and entrapment. 15 Such understanding is vital to ensure that those affected receive the support that they require and to enable us to be better prepared for a potential second wave of the pandemic and for future outbreaks. Public health measures are important to protect physical health, but it is essential that we gain a clearer understanding of the mental health and well-being of the UK population during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the 23 March 2020, a nationwide lockdown was announced by the UK government with the public instructed to stay at home, socially distance and self-isolate with strict guidance about movement outside of one's household.
14 All of these studies point to elevated rates of anxiety, depression, stress, suicide risk and post-traumatic stress in the initial stages of the pandemic. 13 Repeated cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of individual responses to the UK Household Longitudinal Study panel, including pre-pandemic data, have also demonstrated that mental health deteriorated in the early stages of the pandemic.
12 Data from the University College London COVID-19 Social Study, which started post-pandemic, suggests self-harm and thoughts of suicide/self-harm were higher among women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage and those with mental disorders. A study from Spain reported that distress during lockdown was associated with younger age and being female. 4 Cross-sectional 8– 10 and longitudinal evidence (over 4 weeks) 11 from China during the early stages of the outbreak of COVID-19 found high levels of mental health problems and distress in the general population. 3– 7 Increased risk of suicide was evident following SARS in older adults. However, it is unclear who will be affected and to what extent such effects will generalise across all aspects of mental health.Įvidence from previous public health epidemics (for example the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus) illustrated that the adverse effects are more common in some groups and that the detrimental effects are more pronounced among certain aspects of mental health than others. The effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on mental health and well-being are likely to be profound and long-lasting 1, 2 and will extend beyond those who have been directly affected by the virus.
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