| Abstract [eng] |
Introduction. After the end of COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to find out what risk and protective factors affected the populations mental health. After understanding the consequences of the pandemic and its impact on mental health, we will be able to look for ways to reduce the burden of its disorders and find measures that will help us improve mental health, the availability of services and respond to the needs of the country's population. The aim of this research is to assess the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the country's population and to find out protective factors for mental health. Research objectives: 1. To assess the state of mental health of the population after the COVID-19 pandemic in Lithuania. 2. To determine the risk and protective factors responsible for the mental health of the population after the COVID-19 pandemic. 3. To evaluate the correlations of mental health risk and protective factors with the population's mental health indicators. Methods: An epidemiological study of the prevalence was carried out. 18-year-olds and older residents of the country participated in the study. Convenience sampling was used to create the research sample (481 respondents). The research was conducted using an anonymous online questionnaire. Research instrument "How to survive the COVID-19 pandemic" validated questionnaire in Lithuania. Data analysis was performed using the R statistical software package and Microsoft Excel 2010. Descriptive statistics methods were used for data analysis, frequencies, averages, 95% CI, x2 test, correlation coefficient were calculated, differences were considered statistically significant when p<0.05. Results. 23.7 percent of the population have severe or moderate depression, 15.7 percent suffer from severe or moderate anxiety. Every fourth person has PTSD (24.3%), and 1.9% are very lonely. 1.5 percent of respondents are addicted to alcohol. Men are 16.9 percent. more prone to risky alcohol consumption (95%CI, 6.21 to 27.49). People with low education are more prone to depression (23.1% (95%CI, 12.27 to 33.81)), anxiety (21.7% (95%CI, 10.34 to 33.20) ), PTSD (11.2% (95%CI, -0.23 to 22.64)), and loneliness (18.6% (95%CI, 6.77 to 30.29)). 10.9 percent with high or medium incomes more often have depression (95% CI, 0.73 to 21.06), and those with low incomes 13.1 percent. (95%CI, 2.94 to 23.17) lonelier. Residents with higher education have 5.3 percent. (95%CI, 7.47 to 28.43) higher self-efficacy. Persons whose relatives did not get COVID-19 scored 12.3 percent. higher (95%CI, 1.53 to 23.14) psychological resilience than those whose relatives were ill. It was observed that persons whose relatives died from COVID-19 have 7.3 percent. greater (95%CI, 1.53 to 23.14) mental health resilience than those whose loved ones did not. A strong positive correlation was found between depression and anxiety (0.80). Conclusions. 1. The mental health of the Lithuanian population after the COVID-19 pandemic reflected a significant prevalence of mental health disorders - high rates of depression, anxiety, PTSD and loneliness are observed. Risky alcohol consumption among the population has decreased. 2. The population's mental health risk factors are the following: low education; high and average household income; low household income; male gender; life in a big city; COVID-19 illness of relatives. The protective factors for the mental health of the population are: the absence of relatives from getting sick with COVID-19; high levels of education and, in some cases, death due to COVID-19. 3. Mental health disorders are more often found in men and those with low education. Mental health disorders can occur regardless of household income. Individuals with higher education and whose relatives did not fall ill during the COVID-19 pandemic have better mental health and resilience. A strong relationship has been found between depression and anxiety. |
