COVID-19 preventive behaviours among people with anxiety and depressive symptoms: findings from Japan

• Published in: Public health (London) Vol. 189; pp. 91 - 93
• Main Authors: Stickley, A., Matsubayashi, T., Sueki, H., Ueda, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2020; Elsevier Science Ltd; The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anxiety; Anxiety disorders; Anxiety Disorders - epidemiology; Behavior; Confidence intervals; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; Cross-Sectional Studies; Demography; Depression; Depressive Disorder - epidemiology; Economic factors; Economic models; Female; Generalized anxiety disorder; Health Behavior; Health behaviour; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health problems; Humans; Japan; Japan - epidemiology; Male; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health; Middle Aged; Patient Health Questionnaire; Regression analysis; SARS-CoV-2; Short Communication; Social factors; Socioeconomic factors; Socioeconomics; Statistical analysis; Surveys and Questionnaires; Symptoms; Young Adult; Japan; COVID-19; Depression; Anxiety; Health behaviour; Japan
• ISSN: 0033-3506; 1476-5616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.09.017

The aim of the study was to examine COVID-19 preventive behaviours among individuals with mental health problems. This is a pooled cross-sectional study. Online survey data were analysed from 2000 Japanese adults collected in April and May 2020. Information was obtained on 13 COVID-19 preventive behaviours and anxiety and depressive symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the associations. In models adjusted for demographic and socio-economic factors, anxiety (coefficient: −0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −1.30, -0.24) and depressive symptoms (coefficient: −0.82, 95% CI: −1.34, -0.30) were both associated with significantly lower engagement in COVID-19 preventive behaviours. Our results highlight the importance of facilitating the performance of preventive behaviours in individuals with mental health problems to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in this population. •We examined the effects of depression and anxiety on COVID-19 preventive behaviours.•Data were analysed from 2000 Japanese adults collected in April and May 2020.•Anxiety/depressive symptoms were linked to the use of fewer preventive behaviours.