Weekly data collections were made of over 70,000 people over the age of 18 in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic over 20 weeks from March 21st of 202 to August 9th of the same year as part of the ULC COVID-19 Social Study. This study was promoted via mailing lists, print, digital media, and social media. In order to reach specific groups the study was also promoted using recruitment companies to account for people who have low income, are unemployed, have little educational background, and other vulnerable groups during the pandemic (i.e. individuals who are older, caregivers, those with preexisting mental illness). The final sample size was narrowed down to 36,520 based on the number of respondents in England that did not withhold demographic information.

Study Design and Participants: Trajectories of anxiety and depressive symptoms during enforced isolation due to COVID-19 in England

Data was collected from the participants using REDCap, a web application for online surveys and databases. Participants were assessed on anxiety and depression using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) respectively. Anxiety and depression were measure based on 4 point responses ranging from "not at all" to "nearly everyday" as responses to questions. For an anxiety the points were assigned as follows: 0-4 points = minimal anxiety, 5-9 points = mild anxiety, 10-14 points = moderate anxiety, and 15-21 points = severe anxiety. For depressive symptoms points were assigned as follows: 0-4 points = minimal depression, 5-9 points = mild depression, 10-14 points = moderate depression, 15-19 points = moderately severe depression, and 20-27 points = severe depression. Patients were also asked to indicate clinically diagnosed mental illness.

Procedure: Trajectories of anxiety and depressive symptoms during enforced isolation due to COVID-19 in England

Rutgers University

Studies have suggested that mental health has deteriorated in multiple countries with the implementation of enforced lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic. Previous studies on quarantine from SARS showed increased depression and PTSD. The coronavirus pandemic has led to one of the largest enforced isolations in history and the infections and death surrounding this situation are known to lead to stress and grief which has increased psychological distress and the number of people experiencing clinically significant mental illness. Ultimately, a study was performed to determined changes in anxiety and depressive states during COVID-19 lockdown in England and as lockdown progressed and who is at risk for poorer mental health outcomes during this lockdown. 

Trajectories of anxiety and depressive symptoms during enforced isolation due to COVID-19 in England

Fancourt, D., Steptoe, A., & Bu, F. (2020). Trajectories of anxiety and depressive symptoms during enforced isolation due to COVID-19 in england: A longitudinal observational study Elsevier BV. doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(20)30482-x

Trajectories of anxiety and depressive symptoms during enforced isolation due to COVID-19 in England: a longitudinal observational study

Methods: Trajectories of anxiety and depressive symptoms during enforced isolation due to COVID-19 in England

- Week 1 of isolation: average GAD-7 score: 5.7; average PHQ-9 score: 6.6; people with preexisting mental illness generally had a score for both assessments for anxiety and pressions of 10 or higher
- Over 20 weeks there was a nonlinear decrease in anxiety and depression with little change in the last few weeks of isolation, weeks 16 and 20
- Data suggests highest depression and anxiety at the early stages of lockdown which fell quickly afterwards likely due to people adapting to the circumstances
- Characteristics identified as risk factors for higher anxiety: female, young, low educational attainment, low income, preexisting mental health conditions, living alone 
- People living with children had higher anxiety but less depression than people living alone
- There were faster improvements in anxiety and depression in women, young people, people with lower education, and people living with children
- Little evidence of ethnicity affecting mental health status during isolation
- Limitations: the internet based study does not represent people without internet access and self reported diagnosed mental illnesses were not confirmed or completely specified  

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