Association of current income and reduction in income during the COVID-19 pandemic with anxiety and depression among non-healthcare workers

Abstract

Background

Many workers experienced income reduction during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which may link to adverse mental health.

Aims

This study aimed to examine the association of current income and reduction in income during COVID-19 with anxiety and depression levels among non-healthcare workers.

Methods

This is a multi-city cross-sectional study. We used standardized questionnaires to collect information. We regrouped the current income and income reduction during COVID-19 according to the tertile and median value of each specific city. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21 item short version (DASS-21) was used to assess anxiety and depression levels. We performed multinomial logistic regression to examine the association of current and reduced income with anxiety and depression. Path models were developed to outline the potential modification/indirect effect of subsidies from government.

Results

Large income reduction and low current income were significantly associated with more anxiety/depression symptoms. Path analysis showed that government subsidies could not significantly alleviate the impact of reduced income on anxiety/depression.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that large income reduction and low current income were independently associated with anxiety/depression, while these symptoms may not be ameliorated by one-off government funds. This study suggests the need for long-term policies (e.g. developing sustained economic growth policies) to mitigate negative impacts of the COVID-19.

Keywords:

• Income
• reduction in income
• subsidies
• socioeconomic status
• COVID-19
• anxiety
• depression

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the staff of The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions-Occupational Safety and Health Association in supporting our study. The authors thanks also to Miss CHAN Yunn Kiu, Miss CHEUNG Hau Tung, Ms XU Ting, Mr LIU Wei and Ms Qiyou Tan for recruitment. In addition, the authors thank the participants for their supports.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by grants from the Health and Medical Research Fund, the Food and Health Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (COVID-19) [reference number: COVID190104].