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The Role of Social Determinants of Health in Self-Reported Psychological Distress among United States Adults Post-COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Kingsley Kalu

    (Department of Health Policy and Community Health, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA)

  • Gulzar H. Shah

    (Department of Health Policy and Community Health, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA)

  • Elizabeth Ayangunna

    (Department of Health Policy and Community Health, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA)

  • Bushra Shah

    (Department of Health Policy and Community Health, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA)

  • Nandi Marshall

    (Department of Health Policy and Community Health, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA)

Abstract

Psychological distress, an emotional condition with symptoms of anxiety and depression, leads to impaired function, behavior, and personal traits. The current study examined the association between social determinants of health and the severity of psychological distress among adults in the United States after the COVID-19 pandemic. Using multinomial multivariable logistic regression, we analyzed data from 5106 ( n = 5106) participants in the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 6. Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, African Americans (AOR = 0.62, CI = 0.42–0.93) had lower odds of reporting mild psychological distress rather than no stress. Other variables associated with a higher likelihood of reporting moderate to severe psychological distress, rather than no distress, are being in the 50–64 years age group (AOR = 2.77, CI = 1.45–5.28), divorced (AOR = 2.50, CI = 1.70–3.69), and widowed (AOR = 3.78, CI = 2.15–6.64). Respondents living in an urban area had lower odds of reporting moderate to severe psychological distress (AOR = 0.56, CI = 0.39–0.80) compared to those living in rural areas. Our findings identify several risk factors for psychological distress by sociodemographic characteristics such as age, race, marital status, and urban living, providing empirical evidence for interventions in behavioral health. These findings suggest there is an utmost need for a multi-sectoral approach to address the social determinants of health associated with psychological distress post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Kingsley Kalu & Gulzar H. Shah & Elizabeth Ayangunna & Bushra Shah & Nandi Marshall, 2024. "The Role of Social Determinants of Health in Self-Reported Psychological Distress among United States Adults Post-COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(9), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:9:p:1219-:d:1479480
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zheng, Jason & Morstead, Talia & Sin, Nancy & Klaiber, Patrick & Umberson, Debra & Kamble, Shanmukh & DeLongis, Anita, 2021. "Psychological distress in North America during COVID-19: The role of pandemic-related stressors," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    2. Afaf Saleh Almansoof & Emad Masuadi & Amani Al-Muallem & Sajida Agha, 2024. "Prevalence of psychological distress among health sciences students: a systematic review and meta-analysis," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 58(4), pages 3747-3768, August.
    3. Susan L. Brown & Jennifer Roebuck Bulanda & Gary R. Lee, 2005. "The Significance of Nonmarital Cohabitation: Marital Status and Mental Health Benefits Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 60(1), pages 21-29.
    4. Clara E. Jace & Christos A. Makridis, 2021. "Does marriage protect mental health? Evidence from the COVID‐19 pandemic," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 102(6), pages 2499-2515, November.
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