COVID-19-related financial hardship, job loss, and mental health symptoms: Findings from a cross-sectional study in a rural agrarian community in India

Sangeeta Chatterji*, Lotus McDougal, Nicole Johns, Mohan Ghule, Namratha Rao, Anita Raj

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Several countries, including India, imposed mandatory social distancing, quarantine, and lockdowns to stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Although these measures were effective in curbing the spread of the virus, prolonged social distancing, quarantine, and the resultant economic disruption led to an increase in financial stress and mental health concerns. Prior studies established a link between the first lockdown and an increase in mental health issues. However, few studies investigated the association between post-lockdown financial hardship, job loss, and mental health. In this study, we examined the association between COVID-19-related financial hardship, job loss, and mental health symptoms approximately nine months after the end of the first nationwide lockdown in India. Job loss was associated with higher reporting of mental health symptoms among men (aIRR = 1.16) while financial hardship was associated with poor mental health symptoms among women (aIRR = 1.29). Conversely, social support and government aid were associated with better mental health symptoms among women. Our findings highlight the need for financial assistance and job creation programs to aid families in the recovery process. There is also an urgent need for improving the availability and affordability of mental health services in rural areas.
Original languageEnglish
Article number 8647
Number of pages15
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume18
Issue number16
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Aug 2021

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • COVID-19
  • mental health
  • financial hardship
  • job loss
  • wage loss
  • unemployment
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • panic disorder

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