Study finds behavioural factors that increase Covid-19 risk

The study, published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, found that greater psychological stress in the early stages of the pandemic was significantly associated with later reporting of SARS-CoV-2 infection or more symptoms and more severe symptoms

Professor Kavita Vedhara from the University of Nottingham Medical School led the research with colleagues from King's College London and the University of Auckland, New Zealand

Previous research has shown that psychological factors, such as stress and social support, are associated with increased susceptibility to viral respiratory disease and more severe symptoms

During the Covid-19 pandemic, there is ample evidence of worsening mental health and social isolation

The expert panel conducted an observational study of nearly 1,100 adults who completed the survey in April 2020 and self-reported the incidence of Covid-19 infection and their experience of symptoms during the pandemic in December 2020

Regression models were used to explore these relationships, taking into account demographic and occupational factors

The results showed that Covid-19 infections and symptoms were more common in people with higher levels of psychological stress

Professor Vedhara said: "The significance of this study is that it upends the debate about the mental health of the pandemic

"Further work is now needed to determine if and how public health policy should change to accommodate the fact that the most distressed people in our community appear to be at greatest risk of contracting Covid-19

Trudie Chalder, Professor of Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy, from King's College London, said: "Previous research has shown a clear relationship between distress and viral infection that indicates vulnerability

Journal Reference :

1. Kieran Ayling, Ru Jia, Carol Coupland, Trudie Chalder, Adam Massey, Elizabeth Broadbent, Kavita Vedhara.

   
   

University of Nottingham.

University of Nottingham.

University of Nottingham.