Mental health problems in the general population during and after the first lockdown phase due to the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic: Rapid review of multi-wave studies

Richter, Dirk; Riedel-Heller, Steffi; Zuercher, Simeon Joel (2021). Mental health problems in the general population during and after the first lockdown phase due to the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic: Rapid review of multi-wave studies Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, pp. 1-17. Cambridge University Press

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Abstract Aims. The SARS-Cov-2 pandemic and the lockdown response are assumed to have increased mental health problems in general populations compared to pre-pandemic times. The aim of this paper is to review studies on the course of mental health problems during and after the first lockdown phase. Methods. We conducted a rapid review of multi-wave studies in general populations with time points during and after the first lockdown phase. Repeated cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that utilised validated instruments were included. The main outcome was whether indicators of mental health problems have changed during and after the first lockdown phase. The study was registered with PROSPERO No. CRD42020218640. Results. Twenty-three studies with 56 indicators were included in the qualitative review. Studies that reported data from pre-pandemic assessments through lockdown indicated an increase in mental health problems. During lockdown, no uniform trend could be identified. After lockdown, mental health problems decreased slightly. Conclusions. As mental health care utilisation indicators and data on suicides do not suggest an increase in demand during the first lockdown phase, we regard the increase in mental health problems as general distress that is to be expected during a global health crisis. Several methodological, pandemic-related, response-related and health policy-related factors need to be considered when trying to gain a broader perspective on the impact of the first wave of the pandemic and the first phase of lockdown on general populations’ mental health.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	School of Health Professions School of Health Professions > Nursing School of Health Professions > Nursing > Innovation in the Field of Mental Health and Psychiatric Care
Name:	Richter, Dirk0000-0002-6215-6110; Riedel-Heller, Steffi and Zuercher, Simeon Joel
ISSN:	2045-7960
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Projects:	[UNSPECIFIED] kleine Mandate
Language:	English
Submitter:	Luca Federico
Date Deposited:	19 Jan 2022 15:18
Last Modified:	23 May 2023 12:50
Additional Information:	Date: 2021
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.16279
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/16279