New Zealand’s strict COVID-19 lockdown affected mental well-being

The study examines how the COVID-19 lockdown affected New Zealanders.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the way people live their everyday lives. Grocery collection, remote working, masking, virtual schooling, and social distance are some of the new norms of this post-pandemic lifestyle. While measures were being taken to protect the health of citizens, many unintended consequences were felt.

Some of the consequences lead to strained mental wellbeing due to fewer social interactions and a fear of catching the virus. Combined with the financial burden of job losses, the impact on the population is real and will vary depending on the level of COVID-19 lockdown required.

In New Zealand, the COVID-19 lockdown was one of the strictest, requiring school closings, business closures and travel bans. While the COVID-19 lockdown successfully reduced the spread of the virus, researchers from the University of Otago studied its effects on the mental wellbeing of citizens. Their results were published in the journal Plos One.

Two thousand four hundred and sixteen participants completed a questionnaire on days 19-22 of Level 4 Ineligibility. Participants answered questions about their living situation – number of people living there, type of residence, access to personal space, green spaces, internet / computer access and connection to family outside the home. In addition, the participants in the COVID-19 ban provided information on domestic violence, alcohol consumption, demographic characteristics and their perception of "silver linings".

The researchers analyzed the data obtained from the questionnaires and measured it using the Kessler Psychological Stress Scale, which is a simple measure of psychological stress. Responses were also measured using the World Health Organization (WHO-5) rating for generalized anxiety disorder and the World Health Organization's 5 feel-good index.

Approximately 66% of participants coped well with the COVID-19 lockdown, but the remaining group suffered from moderate to high levels of mental stress. Younger adults (under 44) suffered more, while nearly half of the participants between the ages of 18 and 24 suffered from moderate to severe stress.

In other results, just over six percent of participants had suicidal thoughts, and ten percent suffered more family harm during the COVID-19 lockdown. But not all results were bleak. Participants found “silver linings” to spend more time with loved ones and less harm to the environment.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Susanna Every-Palmer concluded in a press release: “It is clear that the consequences of the pandemic will be omnipresent and protracted. Our results underscore the need for resources to support mental well-being during and after lockdown. "

Written by Rebecca K. Blankenship, B.Sc.

References:

Every-Palmer S., Jenkins M., Gendall P. et al. Psychological distress, anxiety, family violence, suicide, and well-being in New Zealand during the COVID-19 lockdown: A cross-sectional study. Plus one. 2020; 15 (11). doi: 10.1371 / journal.pone.0241658
Worksafe.qld.gov.au. https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/22240/kessler-psychological-distress-scale-k101.pdf. Published in 2020. Accessed November 9, 2020.
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