Source: US National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health
Contributors: Flentje, A., Obedin-Maliver, J., Lubensky, M.E., Dastur, Z., Neilands, T., Lunn, M.R.,
Topic: Mental Health/Health, Research Studies
With SARS-COV-2 recently sweeping the globe, the population is experiencing a group stressor unlike any phenomenon in this country in the last century. The PRIDE study, a longitudinal cohort of sexual and gender minority people, was included in this COVID-19 ancillary study to examine changes in depression and anxiety. The study found increases in anxiety and depression coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic onset. Increased anxiety and depression symptoms were driven by people who did not have preexisting symptoms consistent with generalized anxiety or depression. While this study was conducted with sexual and gender minority people, the results may be relevant for other vulnerable populations, such as other minority groups.