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Review
. 2022 Feb 1;298(Pt A):364-372.
doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.115. Epub 2021 Nov 3.

Prevalence rates of anxiety, depressive, and eating pathology symptoms between the pre- and peri-COVID-19 eras: A meta-analysis

Katherine Musacchio Schafer  1 , Amy Lieberman  2 , Anna C Sever  3 , Thomas Joiner  2
Affiliations
Review

Prevalence rates of anxiety, depressive, and eating pathology symptoms between the pre- and peri-COVID-19 eras: A meta-analysis

Katherine Musacchio Schafer et al. J Affect Disord. .

Abstract

COVID-19 emerged in 2019 and has since killed more than two and a half million people worldwide. Several studies have investigated the role of COVID-19 on the prevalence of mental health outcomes, with general findings indicating elevated rates of mental health issues as compared to the pre-COVID-19 era. However, the effect of specific demographic features is less clear. As such, we investigated whether anxiety, depressive, and eating pathology symptoms varied by gender, age, status as a medical provider (compared to the general public), race, or region of origin. Forty-three effect sizes from 36 studies indicated that all three symptoms increased from pre- to peri‑COVID-19-eras across all regions. No symptom varied by age, status as a medical provider, or race, though females were significantly more likely to experience eating pathology than males. Findings from our study indicate that worldwide, regardless of age, status as a medical provider, race, or region of origin, respondents experienced significantly elevated rates of psychopathology symptoms during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: Anxiety; COVID-19; Depression; Eating pathology; SARS-CoV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA Reporting of papers and effect sizes included in the present study.
Fig 2
Fig. 2
Prevalence rates of anxiety, depressive, and eating pathology symptoms prior to and during COVID-19 pandemic.
Fig 3
Fig. 3
Funnel plots for evidence of missing studies regarding prevalence rates of psychopathology during COVID-19.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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