Changes in socioeconomic resources and mental health after the second COVID-19 wave (2020–2021): a longitudinal study in Switzerland
Authors: Tancredi Stefano , Ulytė Agnė , Wagner Cornelia , Keidel Dirk , Witzig Melissa , Imboden Medea , Probst-Hensch Nicole , Amati Rebecca , Albanese Emiliano , Levati Sara , Crivelli Luca , Kohler Philipp , Cusini Alexia , Kahlert Christian , Harju Erika , Michel Gisela , Lüdi Chantal , Ortega Natalia , Baggio Stéphanie , Chocano-Bedoya Patricia , Rodondi Nicolas , Ballouz Tala , Frei Anja , Kaufmann Marco , Von Wyl Viktor , Lorthe Elsa , Baysson Hélène , Stringhini Silvia , Schneider Valentine , Kaufmann Laurent , Wieber Frank , Volken Thomas , Zysset Annina , Dratva Julia , Cullati Stéphane ,   the Corona Immunitas Research Group, Amendola Antonio , Anagnostopoulos Alexia , Anker Daniela , Annoni Anna Maria , Aschmann Hélène , Azman Andrew , Bal Antoine , Bezani Kleona , Blattmann Annette , Bleich Patrick , Bochud Murielle , Bodenmann Patrick , Rumley Gaëlle Bryand , Buttaroni Peter , Butty Audrey , Camerini Anne Linda , Chiolero Arnaud , Chocano-Bedoya Patricia Orializ , Collombet Prune , Corna Laurie , D’Acremont Valérie , Da Costa Santos Diana Sofia , Deschamps Agathe , Domenghino Anja , Dubos Richard , Dumont Roxane , Duperrex Olivier , Dupraz Julien , Egger Malik , El-May Emna , El Merjani Nacira , Engler Nathalie , Epure Adina Mihaela , Erksam Lukas , Estoppey Sandrine , Fadda Marta , Faivre Vincent , Fehr Jan , Felappi Andrea , Fiordelli Maddalena , Flahault Antoine , Fornerod Luc , Fragoso Corti Cristina , Francioli Natalie , Frangville Marion , Frank Irène , Franscella Giovanni , Geigges Marco , Gonseth Nusslé Semira , Graindorge Clément , Guessous Idris , Harnal Séverine , Jendly Emilie , Jeong Ayoung , Kahlert Christian R , Kaiser Laurent , Kessler Simone , Krähenbühl Christine , Kriemler Susi , Lamour Julien , Lescuyer Pierre , Loizeau Andrea , Luedi Chantal , Magnin Jean-Luc , Martinez Chantal , Masserey Eric , Menges Dominik , Morese Rosalba , Mösli Nicolai , Noël Natacha , Paris Daniel Henry , Pasquier Jérôme , Pennacchio Francesco , Pfister Stefan , Piumatti Giovanni , Poulain Géraldine , Pugin Caroline , Puhan Milo , Pullen Nick , Radtke Thomas , Rasi Manuela , Richard Aude , Richard Viviane , Robert Claude-François , Rodondi Pierre-Yves , Sabatini Serena , Samir Khadija , Zozaya Javier Sanchis , Schlüter Virginie , Schmid Alexia , Schüpbach Maria , Schwab Nathalie , Semaani Claire , Speierer Alexandre , Steiner-Dubuis Amélie , Testini Stéphanie , Thabard Julien , Tonolla Mauro , Troillet Nicolas , Ulyte Agne , Vassaux Sophie , Vermes Thomas , Villers Jennifer , Wenger Rylana , West Erin , Wisniak Ania , Zaballa María-Eugenia , Zens Kyra , Zuppinger Claire 
Published: March 2023

Background

During the 2020/2021 winter, the labour market was under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes in socioeconomic resources during this period could have influenced individual mental health. This association may have been mitigated or exacerbated by subjective risk perceptions, such as perceived risk of getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 or perception of the national economic situation. Therefore, we aimed to determine if changes in financial resources and employment situation during and after the second COVID-19 wave were prospectively associated with depression, anxiety and stress, and whether perceptions of the national economic situation and of the risk of getting infected modified this association.

Methods

One thousand seven hundred fifty nine participants from a nation-wide population-based eCohort in Switzerland were followed between November 2020 and September 2021. Financial resources and employment status were assessed twice (Nov2020–Mar2021, May–Jul 2021). Mental health was assessed after the second measurement of financial resources and employment status, using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). We modelled DASS-21 scores with linear regression, adjusting for demographics, health status, social relationships and changes in workload, and tested interactions with subjective risk perceptions.

Results

We observed scores above thresholds for normal levels for 16% (95%CI = 15–18) of participants for depression, 8% (95%CI = 7–10) for anxiety, and 10% (95%CI = 9–12) for stress. Compared to continuously comfortable or sufficient financial resources, continuously precarious or insufficient resources were associated with worse scores for all outcomes. Increased financial resources were associated with higher anxiety. In the working-age group, shifting from full to part-time employment was associated with higher stress and anxiety. Perceiving the Swiss economic situation as worrisome was associated with higher anxiety in participants who lost financial resources or had continuously precarious or insufficient resources.

Conclusion

This study confirms the association of economic stressors and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the exacerbating role of subjective risk perception on this association.