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Age-Related Differences in Anxiety and Depression Diagnosis among Adults in Puerto Rico during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

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  • Stephanie Cameron-Maldonado

    (Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico)

  • Cynthia M. Pérez

    (Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico)

  • Emma Fernández-Repollet

    (Center for Collaborative Research in Health Disparities, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico)

  • Andrea López-Cepero

    (Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

Abstract

Residents of Puerto Rico bear a significant burden of mental health disorders, which the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated. However, age-specific data on these disorders during the pandemic in Puerto Rico are scarce. This study evaluated age-related differences in the self-reported diagnosis of depression and anxiety among adults ≥18 years residing in Puerto Rico during the pandemic. An anonymous online survey was administered from December 2020 to February 2021 via Google Forms to measure self-reported sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics and physician-diagnosed mental health disorders. Multivariable logistic regression models were conducted for each self-reported mental health diagnosis after adjusting for sex, education, income, marital status, chronic diseases, and smoking. Out of 1945 adults, 50% were aged 40 years and over. Nearly 24% of responders self-reported an anxiety diagnosis, whereas 15.9% reported depression. Compared to individuals 50 years and over, those 18–29 y, 30–39 y, and 40–49 y had significantly higher odds of an anxiety diagnosis (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.34–2.55; OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.09–2.07; and OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.01–1.87, respectively). However, no association between age and depression diagnosis was found. Despite anxiety and depression being frequent disorders during the pandemic in this sample, younger adults bear a higher burden of anxiety. Further research is needed to allocate appropriate mental health resources during emergencies according to population subgroups.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephanie Cameron-Maldonado & Cynthia M. Pérez & Emma Fernández-Repollet & Andrea López-Cepero, 2023. "Age-Related Differences in Anxiety and Depression Diagnosis among Adults in Puerto Rico during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-9, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:11:p:5922-:d:1153400
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jong Won Min, 2019. "The Influence of Stigma and Views on Mental Health Treatment Effectiveness on Service Use by Age and Ethnicity: Evidence From the CDC BRFSS 2007, 2009, and 2012," SAGE Open, , vol. 9(3), pages 21582440198, September.
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