Symptoms of anxiety and depression in relation to work patterns during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Philadelphia PA: a cross-sectional survey

Objective

We investigated whether patterns of work during COVID-19 pandemic altered by effort to contain the outbreak affected anxiety and depression.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of 911 residents of Philadelphia, inquiring about their working lives during early months of the epidemic, symptoms of anxiety and depression, plus demographics, perceived sources of support, and general health.

Results

Occupational contact with suspected COVID-19 cases was associated with anxiety. Concerns about return to work, childcare, lack of sick leave, and loss/reduction in work correlated with anxiety and depression, even when there was no evidence of occupational contact with infected persons; patterns differed by gender.

Conclusions

Heightened anxiety and depression during COVID-19 pandemic can be due to widespread disruption of working lives, especially in “non-essential” low-income industries, on par with experience in healthcare.

The significance to clinical practice of the information being presented:Anxiety and depression symptoms that emerged during COVID-19 pandemic may be related to disruption of working lives even among people who are not the “essential” workers with one-one-one contact with infected persons. Clinicians may find this evidence of occupational correlates and articulated specific worries useful in treating such patients.