ABSTRACT

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa implemented a strict stay-at-home order. The mental health effects of the pandemic and related containment measures are minimally documented in this region. This study examines the association between COVID-19 related stressors and mental health during a strict stay-at-home order in South Africa. A total of 860 self-selected participants residing in the Western Cape province completed an online survey from 20–31 May 2020. This sample consisted mainly of higher socioeconomic and higher educated segments of the population. Structural equation modelling was used to assess how sociodemographic factors, membership of vulnerable groups and COVID-19 related stressors were associated with PHQ-9 (depression) and GAD-7 (anxiety) scores. 46.0% and 47.2% of participants met the diagnostic threshold of anxiety and depressive disorder, respectively. Considerable daily life repercussions were linked to these scores. Among these participants, less than 20% consulted a formal practitioner and this was 12% for participants without a pre-existing mental health condition. Distress related to containment measures and distress about being infected were significantly associated with more anxiety and depressive symptoms. Having a pre-existing mental health condition was associated with poorer mental health, but being an active health worker was not. Younger age, being female, and living in a non-rural area were associated with poorer mental health. Our findings suggest a considerable mental health impact of this pandemic and related containment measures, but low attendance of mental health services. The accessibility to tailored mental health support is essential under these circumstances, especially for vulnerable groups.

摘要

为应对 COVID-19 大流行，南非实施了严格的居家令。大流行和相关遏制措施对心理健康的影响在该地区的记录很少。本研究探讨了在南非严格的居家令期间与 COVID-19 相关的压力源与心理健康之间的关联。2020 年 5 月 20 日至 31 日，共有 860 名居住在西开普省的自选参与者完成了在线调查。该样本主要包括社会经济地位较高和受教育程度较高的人群。结构方程模型用于评估社会人口因素、弱势群体成员和 COVID-19 相关压力源如何与 PHQ-9（抑郁）和 GAD-7（焦虑）评分相关联。46.0% 和 47。2% 的参与者分别达到了焦虑症和抑郁症的诊断阈值。相当大的日常生活影响与这些分数有关。在这些参与者中，不到 20% 的人咨询了正式的从业者，而对于没有预先存在的心理健康状况的参与者来说，这一比例为 12%。与遏制措施相关的痛苦和对被感染的痛苦与更多的焦虑和抑郁症状显着相关。先前存在的心理健康状况与较差的心理健康有关，但作为一名积极的卫生工作者则不然。年龄较小、女性和生活在非农村地区与较差的心理健康有关。我们的研究结果表明，这种流行病和相关遏制措施对心理健康产生了相当大的影响，但心理健康服务的出勤率很低。