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The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Effects on Mental Health—A before, during, and after Comparison Using the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Aarnav D. Shah

    (Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA)

  • Christina Laternser

    (Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA)

  • Priyamvada Tatachar

    (Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
    The Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60208, USA)

  • Priscilla Duong

    (Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
    Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60208, USA)

Abstract

Background: Although significantly increased mental health concerns were noted globally during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, much less is known about the mental health trends during the COVID-19 recovery period. We aimed to compare current anxiety or depression rates to those before and during the first year of the pandemic and to evaluate demographic differences. Methods: We analyzed Household Pulse Survey data prospectively collected from a representative U.S. population sample. We compared the anxiety or depression rates from the first pandemic year (04/2020–05/2021) and recovery period (06/2023–03/2024) from the national cohort and demographic subgroups using two-sided paired t -tests and regression analyses and compared these to pre-pandemic (01/2019–12/2019) rates using one-sided t -tests. Results: The national estimates for anxiety or depression improved during the recent COVID-19 recovery period as compared to the first year (29.5 ± 5.5 vs. 37.6 ± 3.1; p < 0.0001) but did not return to the pre-pandemic benchmark (29.5% vs. 10.8%; p < 0.001). Higher rates were noted in younger individuals aged 18–29 years ( p < 0.0001), in individuals with less than a high school diploma ( p < 0.0001), or with disabilities ( p < 0.0001). Non-Hispanic Asians reported the lowest rates ( p < 0.0001), and no significant gender differences were noted. Conclusion: The U.S. population’s mental health concerns have improved since the first year of the pandemic but remain above pre-pandemic benchmarks. Certain demographic subgroups are at higher risk, indicating the need for targeted health care and economic policy interventions to address these disparities.

Suggested Citation

  • Aarnav D. Shah & Christina Laternser & Priyamvada Tatachar & Priscilla Duong, 2024. "The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Effects on Mental Health—A before, during, and after Comparison Using the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(10), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:10:p:1306-:d:1489522
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dunlop, D.D. & Song, J. & Lyons, J.S. & Manheim, L.M. & Chang, R.W., 2003. "Racial/Ethnic Differences in Rates of Depression among Preretirement Adults," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 93(11), pages 1945-1952.
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