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. 2023 Aug 2;18(8):e0289547.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289547. eCollection 2023.

Association between level of compliance with COVID-19 public health measures and depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional survey of young adults in Canada and France

Pierre-Julien Coulaud  1   2 , Julie Jesson  3 , Naseeb Bolduc  1   4 , Olivier Ferlatte  1   5   6 , Karine Bertrand  7 , Travis Salway  3   8   9 , Marie Jauffret-Roustide  1   10   11 , Rod Knight  1   2   5   6
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Association between level of compliance with COVID-19 public health measures and depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional survey of young adults in Canada and France

Pierre-Julien Coulaud et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: While compliance with preventive measures remains central to limit the spread of COVID-19, these measures critically affected mental health of young adults. We therefore investigated the association between the level of compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures and depressive symptoms among young adults in Canada and France.

Methods: From October to December 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey of young adults ages 18-29 years in Canada (n = 3246) and France (n = 2680) to collect demographic data, experiences with COVID-19 preventive measures, and mental health. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Compliance profiles were built using cluster analysis. Weighted multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate associations between compliance level and major depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score≥15) in each country.

Results: One third of respondents reported major depressive symptoms (Canada: 36.4%, France: 23.4%). Four compliance profiles were identified: high (42.5%), medium-high (21.7%), medium-low (18.1%), and low (17.7%), with high levels more frequently observed in Canada compared to France. In both countries, participants in low compliance profile (Canada: Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) [95% Confidence Interval] 0.75 [0.58, 0.98], France: AOR 0.60 [0.46, 0.75]), in the medium-low (Canada: AOR 0.58 [0.48, 0.72], France: AOR 0.81 [0.66, 1.01]), and medium-high compliance profiles (Canada: AOR 0.78 [0.65, 0.93], France: AOR 0.77 [0.63, 0.93]) were less likely to report major depressive symptoms compared to the high compliance profile. Ethno-racial minorities, sexual and gender minority, and unemployed young adults had higher odds of reporting such symptoms.

Conclusions: Major depressive symptoms were associated with high compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures among young adults. The implementation of socially-isolating measures should be coupled with mental health interventions to address mental health needs of young adults, with enhanced supports for sub-groups who are structurally disadvantaged (e.g., racialized, unemployed, sexual and gender minority).

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Description of the four profiles of compliance overall and by country (A), according to the COVID-19 preventive measures (B), and the health behaviours and hygiene practices (C).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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