Mental wellbeing and psychological distress in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparison across time

ABSTRACT

Objective

This study aimed to assess the trajectory of wellbeing and psychological distress in a UK sample by comparing data taken from the first and second UK lockdowns.

Method

Wellbeing (indexed via the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale) and psychological distress (indexed via the K10) were measured in two surveys in large online samples from Wales, UK. The first survey (n = 12,989) took place 11–16 weeks into the first UK lockdown and the second survey (n = 10,428) took place 4–11 weeks into the second UK lockdown.

Results

Levels of wellbeing were lower in the second survey compared to the first survey, which were already low compared to pre-pandemic data (2019). Clinically significant levels of psychological distress were found in 40.4% of participants in the second survey, representing a 9.8% increase in prevalence from the first survey. Poorer mental health was found in women, younger adults, and those from deprived areas. The greatest reduction in mental health was found in the youngest age group (16-24 years old).

Discussion

The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to curb its spread continue to negatively impact the wellbeing of the UK population.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• mental health
• wellbeing
• psychological distress
• online survey

Data availability statement

The data associated with this study are available upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 For the purposes of this report, the ‘first' lockdown refers to the lockdown implemented across Wales from March 23rd 2020 until July 6^th 2020 and the ‘second' lockdown refers lockdown restrictions implemented across Wales from December 19^th 2020 until March 12^th 2021 (Senedd Research, 2020). This does not include the ‘firebreak' lockdown across Wales from October 23rd until November 9^th 2020.