IMPACT OF COVID-19 INFECTION AND RELATED SOCIAL CONCERNS ON DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS: MEDIATING EFFECTS OF DAILY LIFE RESTRICTION

Abstract Background As the COVID-19 outbreak persisted, the accompanying increase in depression had emerged as a significant issues. Aims & Objectives This study examined the mediating effect of daily life restriction after COVID-19 pandemic on depressive symptoms, considering COVID-19 infection or social concerns about COVID-19 infection. Additionally, comparisons of path coefficients between groups were conducted based on gender and age. Method Data derived from the 2020 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) consisted of 229,269 individuals aged 19 to 110. This study used self-reported questionnaire including Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), three items addressing social concerns related to COVID-19 infection (concerns about blame from the surroundings, economic impact, and infection of vulnerable family members), a self-questionnaire to confirm whether individuals had experienced quarantine or hospitalization due to COVID-19 infection within last 3 months, and scores of daily life restriction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Structural equation model analysis was conducted to identify whether daily life restriction serves as a mediating factor in the association between COVID-19 infection and related social concerns and depressive symptoms. In addition, chi-square tests for comparing path coefficients based on age (below 65 years old, 65 and older) and gender were conducted. Results Structural equation models revealed significant direct effects of COVID-19 infection and related social concerns on depressive symptoms (COVID-19 infection to PHQ-9: β = 0.011, p <0.01; social concerns about COVID-19 infection to PHQ-9: β = 0.049, p <0.01), along with indirect effects through daily life restrictions after the COVID-19 pandemic on PHQ-9 symptoms (COVID-19 infection to PHQ-9: β = 0.014, p <0.01; social concerns about COVID-19 infection to PHQ-9: β = 0.001, p <0.01). When comparing path coefficients between subgroups based on age and gender, path coefficients associated with depression were higher in the groups under 65 years of age and females. Discussion & Conclusions Considering the impact of daily life restrictions on depression related to COVID-19 infection and related social concerns is essential, and more attention is needed for women and individuals under age of 65.