Occupational and environmental factors affecting covid-19-related anxiety and depression: a longitudinal analysis of the covidsmart study

SESSION TITLE: Education, Research, and Quality Improvement Posters 9 SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/11/2023 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm PURPOSE: The primary objective of the COVIDsmart study was to assess how anxiety and depression are influenced by occupation, exposure to COVID-19, and perceptions/beliefs regarding the impact of COVID-19. While numerous studies have investigated the effects of the pandemic on depression and anxiety, most were done at a single point in time. We hypothesized that a longitudinal study would allow a more thorough understanding of fluctuations in anxiety and depression based on occupation/community factors during the pandemic. METHODS: The COVIDsmart study used a HIPAA compliant online data collection platform. A total of 782 residents of Virginia, ages 18 to 87 years, enrolled from March to May 2021. This study collected clinical, occupational, social, economic, and behavioral data over 6 months of follow-up. The Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9) was used to measure depression and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD7) instrument was used to measure anxiety. A Mixed Methods Repeated Measures test was used to evaluate whether GAD7 and PHQ9 scores were associated with occupation (healthcare versus non-healthcare worker), perception of COVID-19 impact on the community (not at all, slightly, moderately, very much, or extremely), COVID-19 exposure (yes or no), or belief of how long COVID-19 will continue to impact the community (6 months or less, 7 months to 1 year, or greater than 1 year). We conducted the analysis using SAS 9.4, and p values < .05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The majority of participants were non-Hispanic White (89.3%), female (78.1%), and non-healthcare workers (73%). Mean values with standard deviations were as follows: age - 50 years (SD=14.52), PHQ9 - 6.04 (SD=5.67), GAD7 - 4.82 (SD=5.08). Changes in COVID-19 exposure rates were associated with trends in PHQ9 and GAD7 scores (F=1.96, p=0.04) and (F=2.62, p=0.006). There were also significant changes in PHQ9 scores over a 6-month period, depending on occupation (F=2.24, p=0.03). The perception of COVID-19’s impact on the community or belief about the duration of its impact did not show any association with changes in PHQ9 or GAD7 scores over time (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that being exposed to COVID-19 was associated with longitudinal changes in depression and anxiety scores. While healthcare workers generally had PHQ9 and GAD7 scores that were below the baseline population, their scores were very closely aligned with COVID-19 exposure rates. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic are frequently at risk. Our study demonstrates that exposure to COVID-19 takes a significant toll on the mental health of healthcare workers, even after the availability of an effective vaccine. It is essential for healthcare workers to prioritize their mental health by seeking support, practicing self-care and relaxation techniques, and building resilience. By doing so, healthcare workers can continue to provide high-quality care to their patients and maintain their well-being during periods of crisis. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Marilyn Bartholmae No relevant relationships by Soni Dodani No relevant relationships by Praduman Jain No relevant relationships by Matvey Karpov No relevant relationships by Brian Levy No relevant relationships by Keith Renshaw No relevant relationships by Amira Roess Employee relationship with Vibrent Health Please note: 2010-Today Added 04/13/2023 by Josh Schilling, source=Web Response, value=Salary No relevant relationships by Joshua Sill, value=Honoraria Removed 03/15/2023 by Joshua Sill, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Angela Toepp