The mental health impact of repeated COVID-19 enforced lockdowns in England: evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study
Background Research shows initial COVID-19 lockdowns increased population mental distress. Yet, the mental health impact of repeated lockdowns in England remains unknown. Aims To: (a) explore changes in population mental health symptoms over the COVID-19 pandemic period (March 2020 to March 2021) i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BJPsych Open |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472424008032/type/journal_article |
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| author | Rashpal K. Dhensa-Kahlon Siu Tim Wan Jacqueline A.-M. Coyle-Shapiro Kevin Rui-Han Teoh |
| author_facet | Rashpal K. Dhensa-Kahlon Siu Tim Wan Jacqueline A.-M. Coyle-Shapiro Kevin Rui-Han Teoh |
| author_sort | Rashpal K. Dhensa-Kahlon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background
Research shows initial COVID-19 lockdowns increased population mental distress. Yet, the mental health impact of repeated lockdowns in England remains unknown.
Aims
To: (a) explore changes in population mental health symptoms over the COVID-19 pandemic period (March 2020 to March 2021) in England, comparing this with trends from a decade before (2009–2019) as well as after (2021–2023); (b) compare the mental health impact of each of the three lockdowns in England with periods of eased restrictions, determining who was most affected; (c) examine the impact of demographics and distinct time periods on the prevalence of mental health symptoms.
Method
A secondary analysis of a national longitudinal cohort study, utilising data from Waves 1–13 of the UK Household Longitudinal Study and from Waves 1–9 of the COVID-19 Survey. Mental health was assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Student t-tests and logistical regressions were conducted.
Results
There was a significant increase in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of mental health during England's pandemic period, encompassing three lockdowns, compared with the average of rates from 10 years before. Rates of reported mental health symptoms were not significantly different across each lockdown, but were significantly higher than pre-pandemic rates, declining with eased restrictions. Rates from the end of lockdown to May 2023 revealed elevated mental health symptoms compared with pre-pandemic. Elevated symptoms were observed for women, people homeworking, those with health conditions, individuals aged 30–45 years and those experiencing loneliness.
Conclusion
Repeated lockdowns in England had a substantial impact on mental health, indicating requirements for ongoing mental health support.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e10fee72bc5843b39e974fdad2906ecf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2056-4724 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BJPsych Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-e10fee72bc5843b39e974fdad2906ecf2025-01-16T21:53:00ZengCambridge University PressBJPsych Open2056-47242025-01-011110.1192/bjo.2024.803The mental health impact of repeated COVID-19 enforced lockdowns in England: evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal StudyRashpal K. Dhensa-Kahlon0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1371-9340Siu Tim Wan1Jacqueline A.-M. Coyle-Shapiro2Kevin Rui-Han Teoh3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6490-8208School of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UKAston Medical School, Aston University, Birmingham, UKDepartment of Management, London School of Economics & Political Science, London, UK; and Department of Management, California State University, San Bernardino, California, USABirkbeck Business School, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UKBackground Research shows initial COVID-19 lockdowns increased population mental distress. Yet, the mental health impact of repeated lockdowns in England remains unknown. Aims To: (a) explore changes in population mental health symptoms over the COVID-19 pandemic period (March 2020 to March 2021) in England, comparing this with trends from a decade before (2009–2019) as well as after (2021–2023); (b) compare the mental health impact of each of the three lockdowns in England with periods of eased restrictions, determining who was most affected; (c) examine the impact of demographics and distinct time periods on the prevalence of mental health symptoms. Method A secondary analysis of a national longitudinal cohort study, utilising data from Waves 1–13 of the UK Household Longitudinal Study and from Waves 1–9 of the COVID-19 Survey. Mental health was assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Student t-tests and logistical regressions were conducted. Results There was a significant increase in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of mental health during England's pandemic period, encompassing three lockdowns, compared with the average of rates from 10 years before. Rates of reported mental health symptoms were not significantly different across each lockdown, but were significantly higher than pre-pandemic rates, declining with eased restrictions. Rates from the end of lockdown to May 2023 revealed elevated mental health symptoms compared with pre-pandemic. Elevated symptoms were observed for women, people homeworking, those with health conditions, individuals aged 30–45 years and those experiencing loneliness. Conclusion Repeated lockdowns in England had a substantial impact on mental health, indicating requirements for ongoing mental health support. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472424008032/type/journal_articleCOVID-19lockdownsmental healthEnglandUKHLS |
| spellingShingle | Rashpal K. Dhensa-Kahlon Siu Tim Wan Jacqueline A.-M. Coyle-Shapiro Kevin Rui-Han Teoh The mental health impact of repeated COVID-19 enforced lockdowns in England: evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study BJPsych Open COVID-19 lockdowns mental health England UKHLS |
| title | The mental health impact of repeated COVID-19 enforced lockdowns in England: evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study |
| title_full | The mental health impact of repeated COVID-19 enforced lockdowns in England: evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study |
| title_fullStr | The mental health impact of repeated COVID-19 enforced lockdowns in England: evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The mental health impact of repeated COVID-19 enforced lockdowns in England: evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study |
| title_short | The mental health impact of repeated COVID-19 enforced lockdowns in England: evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study |
| title_sort | mental health impact of repeated covid 19 enforced lockdowns in england evidence from the uk household longitudinal study |
| topic | COVID-19 lockdowns mental health England UKHLS |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472424008032/type/journal_article |
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