The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment-seeking veterans in the united kingdom with preexisting mental health difficulties : A longitudinal study

Individuals with preexisting psychological difficulties are at risk of further deterioration of their mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. This longitudinal study, conducted during the period between two national lockdowns, aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on veterans in the United Kingdom with preexisting mental health difficulties. Treatment-seeking veterans with preexisting mental health difficulties (= 95) were surveyed in two waves.

 

Wave 1 was conducted at the end of the first lockdown (June 2020–July 2020), and Wave 2 took place during the second lockdown (November 2020). Participants completed measures to assess symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); common mental health difficulties (CMDs), including anxiety and depression; anger; and alcohol use. Initial analyses revealed no significant changes in symptoms of PTSD, CMDs, anger, or alcohol use between the lockdowns, ps = .247–.986. However, veterans who experienced more COVID-19–related stressors were more likely to experience increases in PTSD, odds ratio (OR) = 6.30, = .002, and CMD symptoms, OR = 4.32, = .025.

 

Participants with lower levels of social support during the second lockdown were more likely to experience increased anger difficulties, OR = 0.91, = .025. The findings suggest that although mental health among veterans in the United Kingdom may have remained relatively stable between the two lockdowns, those who reported more COVID-related stressors and lower levels of social support may have been particularly vulnerable to symptom exacerbation. Such findings hold important implications for tailoring support for veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reference: 
Laura Josephine Hendrikx, Charlotte Williamson, Julia Baumann, Dominic Murphy | 2021
In: Journal of Traumatic Stress ; ISSN: 1573-6598
https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22742
Online ahead of print DOI: 10.1002/jts.22742
Keywords: 
Alcohol Abuse, Anxiety Disorders, British, COVID-19 (en), Depressive Disorders, Effectiveness, Epidemiology, Mental health, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Predictors, Psychotrauma, PTSD (DSM-5), PTSD (en), Research, Statistical Analysis, Treatment, Veterans