Social, Financial and Psychological Stress during an Emerging Pandemic: Observations from a Population Web-Based Survey in the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

  1. Rebecca Robillard
  2. Mysa Saad
  3. Jodi D. Edwards
  4. Elizaveta Solomonova
  5. Marie-Helene Pennestri
  6. Alexander Daros
  7. Samuel Paul Louis Veissière
  8. Lena Quilty
  9. Karianne Dion
  10. Ashley Nixon
  11. Jennifer L. Phillips
  12. Raj Bhatla
  13. Edward Spilg
  14. Roger Godbout
  15. Bashour Yazji
  16. Cynda Hylton Rushton
  17. Wendy Gifford
  18. Mamta Gautam
  19. Addo Boafo
  20. Tetyana Kendzerska
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Abstract

Background

Understanding the multifaceted impacts of the Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) outbreak as it unfolds is crucial to identify the most critical needs and to inform targeted interventions.

Methods

This population survey study presents cohort characteristics and baseline observations linked to the acute-mid phase of the COVID-19 outbreak in terms of perceived threats and concerns, occupational and financial impacts, social impacts and stress as measured by the Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) collected cross-sectionally between April 3 and May 15, 2020. A multivariate linear regression model was used to identify factors associated with stress changes relative to pre-outbreak estimates.

Findings

6,040/6,685 (90·4%) participants filled out at least 1/3 of the survey and were included in the analyses. On average, PSS scores increased from 12·9+6·8 before the outbreak to 14·9+8·3 during the outbreak (p<0·001). The independent factors associated with stress worsening were: having a mental disorder, female sex, having underage children, heavier alcohol consumption, working with the general public, shorter sleep duration, younger age, less time elapsed since the start of the outbreak, lower stress before the outbreak, worse symptoms that could be linked to COVID-19, lower coping skills, worse obsessive-compulsive symptoms related to germs and contamination, personalities loading on extraversion, conscientiousness and neuroticism, left wing political views, worse family relationships, and spending less time exercising and doing artistic activities.

Interpretation

Cross-sectional analyses showed a significant increase from average low to moderate stress during the COVID-19 outbreak. Identified modifiable factors associated with an increase in stress may be informative for intervention development.

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