Association between loneliness and depression, anxiety and anger during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide population-based survey

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to determine the association between loneliness and depression, anxiety and anger with a representative sample of the general population in Korea, which are the most prevalent mental health problems during the pandemic.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: National survey across all 17 provinces in South Korea between December 2021 and January 2022.

Participants: We conducted a national survey on 2699 participants aged 19-84 years using proportional stratified sampling. Using the UCLA Loneliness Scale and standardised questionnaires for depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7) and anger (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Anger), we explored the prevalence and association of loneliness with these mental health outcomes.

Primary and secondary outcome measures: Primary outcomes included the prevalence and co-occurrence of depression, anxiety and anger across different levels of loneliness.

Results: Of total, 20.7% and 2.1% experienced moderately high and high levels of loneliness, respectively. Among participants with high levels of loneliness, 11.8%, 5.9% and 11.8% had depression, anxiety and anger, respectively, and 28.7% of them had depression, anxiety and anger together. The adjusted prevalence of depression was 0.2 (95% CI 0.0 to 0.5), 8.2 (95% CI 6.7 to 9.7), 31.3 (95% CI 27.4 to 35.3) and 63.5 (95% CI 50.1 to 76.8) for low, moderate, moderately high and high levels of loneliness, respectively. Similarly, increased adjusted prevalence of anxiety and anger was observed ㅈwith higher levels of loneliness.

Conclusions: Lonely people have a higher risk of depression, anxiety and anger. Identifying individuals who may be vulnerable to loneliness is important for early intervention.

Keywords: COVID-19; PSYCHIATRY; Public health; SOCIAL MEDICINE; Social Interaction; Social Support.