Factors associated with psychological distress, fear and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia

Globalization and Health

Nazmul Hoque¹  Nashrin Binte Nazim²  Sheikh M. Alif³  Ahmed Sharif⁴  Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam⁵  Biswajit Banik⁶  Wendy Cross⁶  Masudus Salehin⁶  Muhammad Aziz Rahman⁷  Farhana Sultana⁸ 

[1] Bangladesh Medical Society of Victoria (BMSV), 3000, Melbourne, VIC, Australia;Emerald Medical Centre, 1 Murphys Way, 3782, Emerald, Victoria, Australia;Bangladesh Medical Society of Victoria (BMSV), 3000, Melbourne, VIC, Australia;Greenvale Medical Centre, 1/11 Greenvale Drive, Greenvale, 3059, Burwood, Victoria, Australia;Bangladesh Medical Society of Victoria (BMSV), 3000, Melbourne, VIC, Australia;School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, 3004, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;Bangladesh Medical Society of Victoria (BMSV), 3000, Melbourne, VIC, Australia;Station Street Clinic, 34 Station Street, Pakenham, 3810, Burwood, Victoria, Australia;Bangladesh Institute of Family Medicine and Research, University of Science & Technology Chittagong, Zakir Hossain Road, Foy’s Lake, Khulshi, 4202, Chittagong, Bangladesh;Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, 3125, Burwood, Victoria, Australia;School of Health, Federation University Australia, 100 Clyde Road, 3806, Berwick, Victoria, Australia;School of Health, Federation University Australia, 100 Clyde Road, 3806, Berwick, Victoria, Australia;Australian Institute of Primary Care and Ageing, La Trobe University, Plenty Road and Kingsbury Drive, 3086, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;Bangladesh Medical Society of Victoria (BMSV), 3000, Melbourne, VIC, Australia;Telstra Health, 222 Lonsdale Street, 3000, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;

关键词: COVID-19;    Coronavirus;    Mental health;    Psychological distress;    Coping;    Resilience;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12992-020-00624-w

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the personal, professional and social life of Australians with some people more impacted than others.ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify factors associated with psychological distress, fear and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted among residents in Australia, including patients, frontline health and other essential service workers, and community members during June 2020. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10); level of fear was assessed using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S); and coping strategies were assessed using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS). Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the extent of psychological distress, level of fear and coping strategies while adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsAmong 587 participants, the majority (391, 73.2%) were 30–59 years old and female (363, 61.8%). More than half (349, 59.5%) were born outside Australia and two-third (418, 71.5%) completed at least a Bachelor’s degree. The majority (401, 71.5%) had a source of income, 243 (42.3%) self-identified as a frontline worker, and 335 (58.9%) reported financial impact due to COVID-19. Comorbidities such as pre-existing mental health conditions (AOR 3.13, 95% CIs 1.12–8.75), increased smoking (8.66, 1.08–69.1) and alcohol drinking (2.39, 1.05–5.47) over the last four weeks, high levels of fear (2.93, 1.83–4.67) and being female (1.74, 1.15–2.65) were associated with higher levels of psychological distress. Perceived distress due to change of employment status (4.14, 1.39–12.4), alcohol drinking (3.64, 1.54–8.58), providing care to known or suspected cases (3.64, 1.54–8.58), being female (1.56, 1.00–2.45), being 30–59 years old (2.29, 1.21–4.35) and having medium to high levels of psychological distress (2.90, 1.82–5.62) were associated with a higher level of fear; while healthcare service use in the last four weeks was associated with medium to high resilience.ConclusionsThis study identified individuals who were at higher risk of distress and fear during the COVID-19 pandemic specifically in the State of Victoria, Australia. Specific interventions to support the mental wellbeing of these individuals should be considered in addition to the existing resources within primary healthcare settings.

【 授权许可】

CC BY