Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health
IntroductionThis study provides a descriptive overview of the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Canada, across sociodemographic characteristics, mental health–related variables and negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsData were obtaine...
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Public Health Agency of Canada
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada |
| Online Access: | https://canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/health-promotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-45-no-1-2025/survey-results-prevalence-ptsd-canada-covid-19-pandemic.html |
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| author | Murray Weeks Danielle Marion Anne-Marie Robert R. Nicholas Carleton |
| author_facet | Murray Weeks Danielle Marion Anne-Marie Robert R. Nicholas Carleton |
| author_sort | Murray Weeks |
| collection | DOAJ |
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IntroductionThis study provides a descriptive overview of the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Canada, across sociodemographic characteristics, mental health–related variables and negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
MethodsData were obtained from cycles 1 and 2 of the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health (SCMH), collected in fall 2020 (N = 14 689) and spring 2021 (N = 8032). The prevalence of PTSD was measured using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) Cross-sectional associations were quantified using logistic regression, while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics.
ResultsThe overall prevalence of PTSD was 6.9%. Factors associated with higher PTSD prevalence were female gender; younger age; lower income (females only); living in an urban area; frontline worker status or not being at work in the past week (males only); fair or poor mental health; a weak sense of community belonging; symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder; suicidal ideation; heavy alcohol use; daily cannabis use; increased alcohol and cannabis use since the start of the pandemic; decreased alcohol consumption since the start of the pandemic (males only); concerns about violence in the home; and negative impacts of the pandemic.
ConclusionPTSD prevalence in Canada varies significantly across sociodemographic groups and is more common among those with indicators of lower mental health and well-being, as well as those more adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ongoing and enhanced surveillance of PTSD in Canada is important to better understand and address the burden and impacts of this condition. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-22a959ad40464ac080d2ab28081fb826 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2368-738X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Health Agency of Canada |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada |
| spelling | doaj-art-22a959ad40464ac080d2ab28081fb8262025-01-16T14:01:19ZengPublic Health Agency of CanadaHealth Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada2368-738X2025-01-01451203810.24095/hpcdp.45.1.02Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental HealthMurray Weeks0Danielle Marion1Anne-Marie Robert2R. Nicholas Carleton3Centre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaCentre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaCentre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaDepartment of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada IntroductionThis study provides a descriptive overview of the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Canada, across sociodemographic characteristics, mental health–related variables and negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsData were obtained from cycles 1 and 2 of the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health (SCMH), collected in fall 2020 (N = 14 689) and spring 2021 (N = 8032). The prevalence of PTSD was measured using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) Cross-sectional associations were quantified using logistic regression, while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. ResultsThe overall prevalence of PTSD was 6.9%. Factors associated with higher PTSD prevalence were female gender; younger age; lower income (females only); living in an urban area; frontline worker status or not being at work in the past week (males only); fair or poor mental health; a weak sense of community belonging; symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder; suicidal ideation; heavy alcohol use; daily cannabis use; increased alcohol and cannabis use since the start of the pandemic; decreased alcohol consumption since the start of the pandemic (males only); concerns about violence in the home; and negative impacts of the pandemic. ConclusionPTSD prevalence in Canada varies significantly across sociodemographic groups and is more common among those with indicators of lower mental health and well-being, as well as those more adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ongoing and enhanced surveillance of PTSD in Canada is important to better understand and address the burden and impacts of this condition.https://canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/health-promotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-45-no-1-2025/survey-results-prevalence-ptsd-canada-covid-19-pandemic.html |
| spellingShingle | Murray Weeks Danielle Marion Anne-Marie Robert R. Nicholas Carleton Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada |
| title | Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health |
| title_full | Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health |
| title_short | Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health |
| title_sort | prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder ptsd in canada during the covid 19 pandemic results from the survey on covid 19 and mental health |
| url | https://canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/health-promotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-45-no-1-2025/survey-results-prevalence-ptsd-canada-covid-19-pandemic.html |
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