Exploring self-reported causal attributions of long COVID: beyond viral origins

Long COVID is associated with diverse physical and mental health symptoms. The mechanisms of long COVID remain unclear, and many with long COVID face stigma, dismissal, and few treatment options. The present study aimed to identify self-reported causes of long COVID endorsed by individuals living with the condition. Adults in the United States self-reporting long COVID (N = 562) participated in an online survey. Participants were an average age of 38.6 years, with most identifying as female (49.1%), White (83.6%), and not Hispanic or Latino/a/x (77.0%). Perceived causes of long COVID were assessed, noting the proportion of individuals endorsing each cause. The most frequently endorsed causes of long COVID included germ or virus (61.4%), altered immunity (37.9%), stress or worry (35.9%), overwork (34.7%), chance or bad luck (34.2%) and aging (33.6%). Although widely acknowledged scientifically to result from COVID-19 infection, some with long COVID attribute their illness to other causes.