Abstract

Studies exploring the longer-term effects of experiencing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on mental health are lacking. We explored the relationship between reporting probable COVID-19 symptoms in April 2020 and psychological distress (measured using the General Health Questionnaire) 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 months later. Data were taken from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, a nationally representative household panel survey of UK adults. Elevated levels of psychological distress were found up to 7 months after probable COVID-19, compared with participants with no likely infection. Associations were stronger among younger age groups and men. Further research into the psychological sequalae of COVID-19 is urgently needed.

Rights

Available under License Creative Commons Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Cite as

Niedzwiedz, C., Benzeval, M., Hainey, K., Leyland, A. & Katikireddi, S. 2021, 'Psychological distress among people with probable COVID-19 infection: analysis of the UK Household Longitudinal Study', BJPsych Open, 7(3), article no: e104. http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2021.63

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Last updated: 08 October 2022
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