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Article
The role of perceived social support on depression and sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic
Psychiatry Research
  • Ian Grey, Lebanese American University
  • Teresa Arora, Zayed University
  • Justin Thomas, Zayed University
  • Ahmad Saneh, Lebanese American University
  • Pia Tomhe, Lebanese American University
  • Rudy Abi-Habib, Lebanese American University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2020
Abstract

© 2020 The aim of the present study was to examine the role of perceived social support pertaining to a range of psychological health outcomes amongst individuals undergoing social isolation and social distancing during COVID-19. A total of 2,020 participants provided responses to an online cross-sectional survey comprised of validated instruments including the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Brief Irritability Test (BITe) and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS). Individuals experiencing self-isolation had significantly higher rates of depression, irritability and loneliness compared to those who were not. The risk for elevated levels of depression symptoms was 63% lower in individuals who reported higher levels of social support compared to those with low perceived social support. Similarly, those with high social support had a 52% lower risk of poor sleep quality compared to those with low social support. Social support was found to be significantly associated with elevated risk for depression and poorer sleep quality. The results contribute to our understanding of differential psychological outcomes for individuals experiencing anti-pandemic measures.

Publisher
Elsevier Ireland Ltd
Keywords
  • Mental Health,
  • Quarantine,
  • Social Capital
Scopus ID
85091225950
Indexed in Scopus
Yes
Open Access
Yes
Open Access Type
Bronze: This publication is openly available on the publisher’s website but without an open license
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7500407
Citation Information
Ian Grey, Teresa Arora, Justin Thomas, Ahmad Saneh, et al.. "The role of perceived social support on depression and sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic" Psychiatry Research Vol. 293 (2020) p. 113452 - 113452 ISSN: <a href="https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/issn/0165-1781" target="_blank">0165-1781</a>
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/teresa-arora/11/