Green, M. J. , Craig, P. , Demou, E. , Katikireddi, S. V. , Leyland, A. H. and Pearce, A. (2023) Understanding inequalities in mental health by family structure during COVID-19 lockdowns: evidence from the UK household longitudinal study. Annals of General Psychiatry, 22(1), 24. (doi: 10.1186/s12991-023-00454-1) (PMID:37280641) (PMCID:PMC10242239)
![[img]](https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/style/images/fileicons/text.png) |
Text
299813.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. 1MB |
Abstract
Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic increased psychiatric distress and impacts differed by family structure. We aimed to identify mechanisms contributing to these inequalities. Methods: Survey data were from the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Psychiatric distress (GHQ-12) was measured in April 2020 (first UK lockdown; n = 10,516), and January 2021 (lockdown re-introduced following eased restrictions; n = 6,893). Pre-lockdown family structure comprised partner status and presence of children (< 16 years). Mediating mechanisms included: active employment, financial strain, childcare/home-schooling, caring, and loneliness. Monte Carlo g-computation simulations were used to adjust for confounding and estimate total effects and decompositions into: controlled direct effects (effects if the mediator was absent), and portions eliminated (PE; representing differential exposure and vulnerability to the mediator). Results: In January 2021, after adjustment, we estimated increased risk of distress among couples with children compared to couples with no children (RR: 1.48; 95% CI 1.15–1.82), largely because of childcare/home-schooling (PE RR: 1.32; 95% CI 1.00–1.64). Single respondents without children also had increased risk of distress compared to couples with no children (RR: 1.55; 95% CI 1.27–1.83), and the largest PE was for loneliness (RR: 1.16; 95% CI 1.05–1.27), though financial strain contributed (RR: 1.05; 95% CI 0.99–1.12). Single parents demonstrated the highest levels of distress, but confounder adjustment suggested uncertain effects with wide confidence intervals. Findings were similar in April 2020 and when stratified by sex. Conclusion: Access to childcare/schooling, financial security and social connection are important mechanisms that need addressing to avoid widening mental health inequalities during public health crises.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Katikireddi, Professor Vittal and Craig, Professor Peter and Leyland, Professor Alastair and Demou, Dr Evangelia and Green, Dr Michael and Pearce, Dr Anna |
| Authors: | Green, M. J., Craig, P., Demou, E., Katikireddi, S. V., Leyland, A. H., and Pearce, A. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU |
| Journal Name: | Annals of General Psychiatry |
| Publisher: | BioMed Central |
| ISSN: | 1744-859X |
| ISSN (Online): | 1744-859X |
| Published Online: | 06 June 2023 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © The Author(s) 2023 |
| First Published: | First published in Annals of General Psychiatry 22(1):24 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons license |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record
Funder and Project Information
Funder and Project Information