TY - JOUR

T1 - The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on depression sufferers

T2 - a qualitative study from the province of Zaragoza, Spain

AU - Oliván-Blázquez, Bárbara

AU - Aguilar-Latorre, Alejandra

AU - Porroche-Escudero, Ana

AU - Fátima, Méndez-López

AU - García-Gallego, Valentin

AU - Benedé-Azagra, Belén

AU - Magallón-Botaya, Rosa

PY - 2022/4/18

Y1 - 2022/4/18

N2 - Background and purposeThe impact of COVID-19 and its control measures have exacerbated existing mental health conditions. Although the deleterious effects of mental health problems are well known, fewer studies have examined the links between the Social Determinants of Health (SDHs) and depression. This study provides insights into the relationship between SDHs and depression during the first strict lockdown in Spain, which lasted for a period of 7 weeks.MethodsFifty-two structured interviews were conducted with people diagnosed with depression during June 2020 in the province of Zaragoza (Spain). Interviews were conducted by telephone due to lockdown constraints. Inductive thematic content analysis was used to explore, develop, and define emergent categories of analysis, which were mapped against the SDH framework.ResultsListening to people’s experiences of living with depression during lockdown provided insights into their concerns and coping strategies, which are greatly influenced by the conditions in which they live, their job and their age. Examples of these factors include access to and quality of physical spaces, including housing conditions and public spaces for socialising, social support, adverse working conditions which include caring responsibilities, and access to digital technologies and healthcare services.ConclusionSDHs have played a fundamental role in shaping people’s health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this study has shown that they have a considerable effect on depression outcomes. Governments should consider implementing social welfare programs to tackle both psychosocial problems and material need during crisis situations.

AB - Background and purposeThe impact of COVID-19 and its control measures have exacerbated existing mental health conditions. Although the deleterious effects of mental health problems are well known, fewer studies have examined the links between the Social Determinants of Health (SDHs) and depression. This study provides insights into the relationship between SDHs and depression during the first strict lockdown in Spain, which lasted for a period of 7 weeks.MethodsFifty-two structured interviews were conducted with people diagnosed with depression during June 2020 in the province of Zaragoza (Spain). Interviews were conducted by telephone due to lockdown constraints. Inductive thematic content analysis was used to explore, develop, and define emergent categories of analysis, which were mapped against the SDH framework.ResultsListening to people’s experiences of living with depression during lockdown provided insights into their concerns and coping strategies, which are greatly influenced by the conditions in which they live, their job and their age. Examples of these factors include access to and quality of physical spaces, including housing conditions and public spaces for socialising, social support, adverse working conditions which include caring responsibilities, and access to digital technologies and healthcare services.ConclusionSDHs have played a fundamental role in shaping people’s health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this study has shown that they have a considerable effect on depression outcomes. Governments should consider implementing social welfare programs to tackle both psychosocial problems and material need during crisis situations.

KW - social determinants of health

KW - COVID-19

KW - health inequalities

KW - depression

KW - Spaiin

KW - Zaragoza

U2 - 10.1186/s12889‑022‑13083‑2

DO - 10.1186/s12889‑022‑13083‑2

M3 - Journal article

VL - 22

JO - BMC Public Health

JF - BMC Public Health

SN - 1471-2458

IS - 1

M1 - 780

ER -