Mental health risk factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Polish population
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Streszczenie
Introduction: The level of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) associated with the early stages of the COVID-19
outbreak, stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms was assessed. Risk factors for mental health in the Polish population
have been identified.
Material and methods: Nine hundred and twenty-six respondents completed a set of questionnaires consisting of
questions concerning COVID-19, PTSS related to the COVID-19 outbreak (Impact of Event Scale-Revised, IES-R), and
their mental health status (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, DASS-21).
Results: Most respondents reported severe PTSS related to the COVID-19 outbreak (44.06%), the normal intensity of
depressive symptoms (52.38%), anxiety symptoms (56.05%), and stress (56.48%). Almost 20% of Polish respondents
were characterized by a severe or extremely severe level of stress, anxiety, or depressive symptoms. Every seventh
respondent reported an extremely severe level of depressive symptoms. Female gender, parental status, having
a relationship, at least a two-person household were associated with higher PTSS or DASS-21 subscales. A few physical
symptoms, a medical visit, quarantine, negative health evaluation, chronic diseases, knowledge about the increase
in the number of infected people or deaths were associated with higher levels of PTSS. Some of the precautions and
the need for additional information on COVID-19, the certainty of a high COVID-19 contracting probability or of
a low survival rate, and concerns about the loved ones were associated with higher PTSS.
Conclusions: The indicated risk factors can be used for developing psychological interventions to improve mental
health. It is necessary to conduct qualitative research on the psychological reasons for the occurrence of mental
symptoms during the pandemic.
Słowa kluczowe: coronavirus diseaseCOVID-19pandemicstressdepressive symptomsanxiety symptomspost-traumatic stress symptomsmental healthrisk factors
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