Psychiatric News (7/21) reports research “describes how COVID-19-related fear and food insecurity are likely contributing to higher levels of depression in U.S. adults.” Investigators “focused on the responses of thousands of U.S. adults to an online survey in late March,” finding that “of the nearly 10,368 adults surveyed (average age 47 years),” those “respondents who identified as female, single, Hispanic, and/or not working reported higher depressive symptoms than other respondents.” Respondents “with higher levels of COVID‐19 fear and moderate-to-high levels of food insecurity reported more depressive symptoms than people with less fear and low or no food insecurity,” whereas “respondents who expressed greater optimism, control over factors impacting their lives, and greater connection with others reported fewer depressive symptoms.” The findings were published online July 15 in the journal Depression & Anxiety.
Related Links:
— “COVID-19 Fear, Food Insecurity May Worsen Depressive Symptoms, Survey Finds, Psychiatric News , July 21, 2020