Increased psychological distress among young people before and during the fifth wave of COVID-19 after two years of pandemic in Hong Kong: a 6-month longitudinal study
Abstract Background Despite over two years of COVID-19 worldwide, the outbreak of the Omicron variant has given rise to an unprecedented surge of infection with diverse lockdown measures implemented globally. Whether the emergence of a new wave of COVID-19 could further affect mental health in the p...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04933-3 |
| _version_ | 1827922853522046976 |
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| author | Stephanie MY Wong Eric YH Chen YN Suen Winky Ho Sherry KW Chan Edwin HM Lee KT Chan Simon SY Lui Michael TH Wong Christy LM Hui |
| author_facet | Stephanie MY Wong Eric YH Chen YN Suen Winky Ho Sherry KW Chan Edwin HM Lee KT Chan Simon SY Lui Michael TH Wong Christy LM Hui |
| author_sort | Stephanie MY Wong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Despite over two years of COVID-19 worldwide, the outbreak of the Omicron variant has given rise to an unprecedented surge of infection with diverse lockdown measures implemented globally. Whether the emergence of a new wave of COVID-19 could further affect mental health in the population after nearly two years of the pandemic remains to be addressed. Furthermore, whether changes in smartphone overuse behaviours and physical activity – both of which are particularly relevant to young people – would together contribute to changes in distress symptoms during this wave of COVID-19 was also examined. Methods A total of 248 young people from an ongoing household-based epidemiological study in Hong Kong who completed their baseline assessments prior to the Omicron variant outbreak, i.e., fifth wave of COVID-19 (July–November 2021), were invited for a 6-month follow-up study during this wave of infection (January–April 2022) (mean age = 19.7 years, SD = 2.7; 58.9% females). At both time points, levels of global distress symptoms, perceived stress, smartphone overuse, frequency of engagement in vigorous physical activity, and other potential risk and protective factors were assessed. Results The proportion of young people presenting moderate-to-severe distress (6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale ≥ 5) significantly increased from 45.6 to 54.4% during the fifth wave of COVID-19 (p < 0.010). Significantly increased levels of smartphone overuse and reduced days of vigorous physical activity were also observed during the fifth wave. Notably, increased smartphone overuse and reduced physical activity both additively and interactively contributed to elevated distress at 6 months, even after accounting for demographic characteristics, psychiatric history, childhood adversity, as well as baseline distress symptoms, resilience, and recent personal stressors. Conclusions The findings suggest that the emergence of a new wave of COVID-19, specifically the Omicron outbreak, can further aggravate mental distress even after a protracted period of the pandemic. Awareness of the dynamic nature of COVID-19 is necessitated to address the pressing mental health needs of populations. Supporting young people in healthier patterns of smartphone use and physical activity can be helpful. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T04:48:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-abc82dfb55e945d6a3f06e09bf679bd8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T04:48:42Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-abc82dfb55e945d6a3f06e09bf679bd82023-06-18T11:21:35ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2023-06-0123111110.1186/s12888-023-04933-3Increased psychological distress among young people before and during the fifth wave of COVID-19 after two years of pandemic in Hong Kong: a 6-month longitudinal studyStephanie MY Wong0Eric YH Chen1YN Suen2Winky Ho3Sherry KW Chan4Edwin HM Lee5KT Chan6Simon SY Lui7Michael TH Wong8Christy LM Hui9Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong KongAbstract Background Despite over two years of COVID-19 worldwide, the outbreak of the Omicron variant has given rise to an unprecedented surge of infection with diverse lockdown measures implemented globally. Whether the emergence of a new wave of COVID-19 could further affect mental health in the population after nearly two years of the pandemic remains to be addressed. Furthermore, whether changes in smartphone overuse behaviours and physical activity – both of which are particularly relevant to young people – would together contribute to changes in distress symptoms during this wave of COVID-19 was also examined. Methods A total of 248 young people from an ongoing household-based epidemiological study in Hong Kong who completed their baseline assessments prior to the Omicron variant outbreak, i.e., fifth wave of COVID-19 (July–November 2021), were invited for a 6-month follow-up study during this wave of infection (January–April 2022) (mean age = 19.7 years, SD = 2.7; 58.9% females). At both time points, levels of global distress symptoms, perceived stress, smartphone overuse, frequency of engagement in vigorous physical activity, and other potential risk and protective factors were assessed. Results The proportion of young people presenting moderate-to-severe distress (6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale ≥ 5) significantly increased from 45.6 to 54.4% during the fifth wave of COVID-19 (p < 0.010). Significantly increased levels of smartphone overuse and reduced days of vigorous physical activity were also observed during the fifth wave. Notably, increased smartphone overuse and reduced physical activity both additively and interactively contributed to elevated distress at 6 months, even after accounting for demographic characteristics, psychiatric history, childhood adversity, as well as baseline distress symptoms, resilience, and recent personal stressors. Conclusions The findings suggest that the emergence of a new wave of COVID-19, specifically the Omicron outbreak, can further aggravate mental distress even after a protracted period of the pandemic. Awareness of the dynamic nature of COVID-19 is necessitated to address the pressing mental health needs of populations. Supporting young people in healthier patterns of smartphone use and physical activity can be helpful.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04933-3Youth mental healthCOVID-19OmicronSmartphone overusePhysical activity |
| spellingShingle | Stephanie MY Wong Eric YH Chen YN Suen Winky Ho Sherry KW Chan Edwin HM Lee KT Chan Simon SY Lui Michael TH Wong Christy LM Hui Increased psychological distress among young people before and during the fifth wave of COVID-19 after two years of pandemic in Hong Kong: a 6-month longitudinal study BMC Psychiatry Youth mental health COVID-19 Omicron Smartphone overuse Physical activity |
| title | Increased psychological distress among young people before and during the fifth wave of COVID-19 after two years of pandemic in Hong Kong: a 6-month longitudinal study |
| title_full | Increased psychological distress among young people before and during the fifth wave of COVID-19 after two years of pandemic in Hong Kong: a 6-month longitudinal study |
| title_fullStr | Increased psychological distress among young people before and during the fifth wave of COVID-19 after two years of pandemic in Hong Kong: a 6-month longitudinal study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Increased psychological distress among young people before and during the fifth wave of COVID-19 after two years of pandemic in Hong Kong: a 6-month longitudinal study |
| title_short | Increased psychological distress among young people before and during the fifth wave of COVID-19 after two years of pandemic in Hong Kong: a 6-month longitudinal study |
| title_sort | increased psychological distress among young people before and during the fifth wave of covid 19 after two years of pandemic in hong kong a 6 month longitudinal study |
| topic | Youth mental health COVID-19 Omicron Smartphone overuse Physical activity |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04933-3 |
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