The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone, but some people have been more affected than others by the lockdown restrictions and public health measures. A new study by researchers at Bangor University has found that people who followed the UK Covid rules the most strictly have the worst mental health today, compared to those who were more relaxed or rebellious about the rules1.
The study, which was published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, surveyed 1,729 people in Wales about their compliance with the lockdown rules during the first UK-wide lockdown in March to September 2020, and their levels of stress, anxiety and depression during February to May 20231. The researchers found that people who had “communal” personalities, meaning they were more caring, sensitive and aware of others’ needs, adhered the most rigorously with the lockdown protocols. However, these people also displayed the highest levels of continuing disturbance to their mental wellbeing1.
On the other hand, people who had “agentic” personalities, meaning they were more independent, competitive and like to have control over their lives, were least likely to follow the rules strictly. These people were able to “bounce back” better from the lockdown mode and had lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression1.
The researchers explained that the fear of catching Covid was both a motivator and a hindrance for people’s mental health. While increasing people’s worry of infection can effectively drive compliance, it also has negative consequences on people’s wellbeing and recovery1. They suggested that there was a lack of messaging campaigns to help people transition back to normality after the lockdown, which left some people with lingering infection prevention behaviour and anxiety that undermined their mental wellbeing1.
The findings of the study are consistent with other reports about the impact of the pandemic on mental health and wellbeing in the UK. According to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, the prevalence of common mental disorders increased from 18.9% in 2018/19 to 21.6% in 2020/21, with higher rates among women, young people, ethnic minorities, people with long-term health conditions, and people living in deprived areas2. The BBC also reported that the NHS talking therapies service received a surge of referrals for treatment of common mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, reaching over 300,000 in January 20223.
The study highlights the need for more support and interventions for people who are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing after the pandemic, especially those who have been more compliant with the rules and more fearful of the infection. The researchers recommended that people should seek professional help if they are experiencing persistent or severe mental health problems, and that they should also try to engage in positive coping strategies, such as physical activity, social support, relaxation and mindfulness1. They also urged the government and public health authorities to provide clear and consistent guidance on how to safely resume normal activities and reduce the risk of infection, as well as to address the inequalities and vulnerabilities that have been exposed by the pandemic1.
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