Civic engagement and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic

BMC Public Health

卷:22

Colleen L. Barry¹  Adam S. Levine²  Rachel J. Topazian²  Emma E. McGinty²  Hahrie Han³ 

[1] Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy;

[2] Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health;

[3] Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute, Johns Hopkins University;

关键词: Civic associations;    Political engagement;    Psychological distress;    Interpersonal interactions;    COVID-19 pandemic;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-022-13289-4

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background To examine the relationship between civic association participation and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly whether different forms of engagement mitigate the increased rates of psychological distress throughout 2020. Methods Panel survey data collected from a nationally representative cohort of 1222 U.S. adults. Data was collected in three waves in April, July, and November 2020. Psychological distress was measured using the validated Kessler-6 instrument in November 2020. Results Respondents belonging to political associations were more likely to experience psychological distress (difference in predicted level of psychological distress on a 0-1 scale: 0.098, p ≤ .05) relative to those in unknown associations. However, individuals in political associations who more frequently interacted with others had lower levels of psychological distress (−.065, p ≤ .05) compared to those in political associations with less frequent interactions. Conclusions Civic engagement that facilitates interpersonal interactions may protect against psychological distress.

【 授权许可】

Unknown