The Impact of Depression on Mental Health during COVID-19

This research project explores the impact of depression on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the causes of declining mental health, the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, and provides recommendations to improve mental health. The study focuses on different age groups in the UK.

The impact of Depression
(Action research project)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Background of the study.............................................................................................................1
Literature review..............................................................................................................................1
Theme 1: Causes of declining mental health during COVID-19................................................1
Theme 2: Impact of COVID- 19 upon mental health.................................................................2
Research methodology.....................................................................................................................3
Data Analysis...................................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................14
Recommendations.....................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16
Appendix .......................................................................................................................................17
Questionnaire............................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
In the recent days, entire world is suffering from the pandemic disease i.e. COVID-19 in
which lacs of people died and this also creates negative impact upon mental health of people.
That is why, with the help of the current study, researcher draw attention towards the impact of
Corona virus upon mental health for different people. For that researcher uses secondary and
primary study in order to analyze the impact upon people and interpret the results in an effective
manner as well.
Rationale: The rationale for choosing this specific topic is to determine how the mental
health is affected by continuously watching negative news such that in the case of COVID-19.
That is why, the researcher have their personal interest to study on the particular topic in order to
realize the relationship between mental health status and disease. Also, another reason for
choosing this topic is such that study on this topic will assist to raise the knowledge with regards
to mental status of different age people during a pandemic disease.
Aim and objectives:
Aim: “ To investigate the mental status of different age group people during COVID 19: A study
on UK”
Objectives:
 To examine the causes of declining mental health during COVID-19.
 To analyze the impact of causes during COVID-19 upon mental health.
 To recommend the ways through which the mental status is improved under COVID-19.
Literature review
Theme 1: Causes of declining mental health during COVID-19
Hotopf and et.al., (2020) present their views that extremely poor people faces many issue
during this pandemic times because the entire country is shut down and there is no source of
income which lead to cause negative impact upon the mental health that leads to death as well.
On the other side, Torales and et.al., (2020) stated that among adults, the mental health is also
lower down because many of them are job less and they frustrated during the corona virus
pandemic time. Also, it is analyzed that people with mental health also affected the worst during
1

this situation and this is because they are struggle with balancing work- related situation with
family obligation.
On the other side, Johnson and et.al., (2020) present their views and stated that most of
the old age people also depressed when they watch news and different things on TV related to
COVID-19 and this is creates a negative impact upon the overall mental health. So it is essential
for them to divert their mind in order to minimize the impact upon mental health. Also the
expenditure during this time is increases which also affected the person in opposite manner. That
is why, it is essential for all old age people to take care of themselves and lower down the mental
health issues as well. Also, with fluctuation in the economic condition of the country, most of
the people loss their job and this in turn affect their entire mental status in opposite manner as
well.
Theme 2: Impact of COVID- 19 upon mental health
In the view of Mcfarlane and et.al., (2020) the pandemic is a threat to the population
because it affect the overall health of people in opposite manner. Such that WHO also warn the
countries that this disease definitely cause negative mental health upon the people which directly
lead to cause depression. This will further affect the entire productivity of the companies in
adverse manner. Thus, it is analyzed that there are negative impact of COVID-19 upon mental
health. On the other side, Zhou and et.al., (2020) argued that many people experiencing acute
behavioral health problems and this further strain the healthcare system as well. Also the main
psychological impact to data is also elevated that during this time, the level of stress and anxiety
is increases. Though there are many measured which are taken by government but still, people
feel loneliness and depressed that affect their mental health in negative manner.
Further, Balasubramanian and et.al., (2020) stated that during this time, most of the
people faces job loss because of sudden downturn in the economic condition of the country and
this is consider the biggest cause for taking wrong decision. As WHO stated that around more
than 40% of the adult faces mental depression during COVID. As the pandemic increases, it is
also suggested by Bullmore and et.al., (2020) that this is likely increases the mental health issues
because of many reasons and even excessive watching news is consider the biggest reason for
changing the well-being of a person.
2

Research methodology
Research Type: There are two different research types such that qualitative, in which
researcher mainly focus on gathering the information through an open data. On the other side, in
quantitative study, researcher wants to generate some relationship between the variables by
applying different test (Vogl, Schmidt and Zartler, 2019). So, in this study, investigator adopted
qualitative study because it will help to analyze the impact upon mental health due to COVID-
19. Also, this method allow for in-depth research and questioning of respondents which in turn
help to attain define goals of a research.
Research Philosophy: It is the belief or notion through which data is gathered and
analyzed. With the help of philosophy, investigator determine the nature and development of
knowledge. There are four types of research philosophy such that Realism, Positivism,
Interpretivism and Pragmatism (Cole, 2020).
From these, Interpretivism research philosophy has been chosen by scholar through
which they integrate the key element from a study. Also, with the help of this, scholar further
determine from the range of people that whether there is any impact upon the mental health due
to pandemic disease or not.
Research Approach: It is another type of research approach which is a plan and
procedure that span the steps from broad assumptions into a detailed method of data collection.
It is of three types such that Inductive, deductive and Abductive. From these all, Inductive
approach has been chosen in order to answer the research question so that they will proceed
towards the end of results. In the same way, for the current study, through this approach, scholar
reach towards a conclusion and takes a research towards specific observation as well.
Data Collection: It is a method of collecting information through different sources such
that primary and secondary. Thus, for this investigation, researcher chooses both types of data
collection methods. Such that under primary data collection methods, in which survey method is
used which is also known as first handed research. Further, under the secondary research
method, researcher uses relevant books, articles and journals which in turn help to meet the
determine the impact upon mental status due to pandemic disease.
Data Analysis: It is the process of transforming the information in order to discover the
useful information so that researcher make proper decision. Also, the purpose of data analysis is
to extract best and useful information which in turn assist to make decision. Hence, in this
3

research project, researcher opted thematic data analysis method in which different tables and
graphs are presented that helps to look the entire research more presentable and examine the
views of respondents as well,
Sampling: It is the method of selecting respondent from an entire group and there are
two types of sampling method such that probabilistic and non- probabilistic (Abadie and et.al.,
2020). In these, simple random sampling methods is used in which 30 people are randomly
selected from UK who help to analyze the whether there is any impact upon mental status of a
people when they are suffering from the pandemic disease. Therefore, with the help of people's
views, it is easy for the researcher to examine the views and then take a decision accordingly.
Ethical consideration: This methodology stated the rules and provide guidelines
through which the researcher may conduct the entire study in better manner. Such that before
conducting the research, scholar must take a consent from the sample and this further help to
meet the define aim. Also, researcher should make sure that there must be proper
communication so that effective results may generated. Also, scholar should make sure that they
comply with Data Protection Act so that personal confidentiality may maintain properly.
Data Analysis
Theme 1: All the age group affected due to COVID -19.
Respondents
from 10-15 6
From 16 -25 4
From 26- 45 5
From 46 – 60 4
All of these 11
4

Interpretation: By conducting first handed research, it is to be analyzed that due to COVID-
19, variety of people affected as at world level, there are different age group who affected and
this range start from 1 day child to more than 80 people. So, while conducting survey, it is
reflected that 6 of them stated that people whose age is in between 10-15 are affected most,
while 4 answer 16 to 25 are affected, 5 stated 26 to 45 and 4 stated 46 to 60. But among all, 11
of these stated that all these age group people are affected due to pandemic disease.
Theme 2: Mental status of people affected due to COVID- 19 in opposite manner.
Respondents
Highly agreed 21
Agreed 6
Disagreed 2
Strongly disagreed 1
5
from 10-15 From 16 -25 From 26- 45 From 46 – 60 All of these
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
6
4
5
4
11
Respondents

Interpretation: According the graph, it is analyzed that mental status of people is directly
affected due to disease. Like, 21 out of 30 are highly agreed and 6 of them are agreed, only 1 is
strong disagreed and this shows that people at world level are highly affected. On the other side,
Zhang and Ma (2020) also supported that the mental status of a people is highly affected because
the entire world is lockdown and due to this most of the adult losses their job and this in turn
leads to them towards depression as well.
Theme 3: Rumors of COVID -19 leads to creates depression upon many people.
Respondents
Highly agreed 20
Agreed 7
Disagreed 2
Strongly disagreed 1
6
21
6
2
1
Highly agreed
Agreed
Disagreed
Strongly disagreed

Interpretation: From the above table, it is interpreted that negative news related to Corona
virus affected the mental health in opposite manner. This is also analyzed while conducting
primary research like, out of 30, 20 are highly agreed, 7 are agreed and only 1 of them are
disagreed. Therefore, it is analyzed that whenever they get any news related to COVID then it is
affected the well-being of people which directly leads towards depression. So, there is a need to
take care and indulge themselves into activities which do not cause negative results.
Theme 4: Most of the sample felt nervous and stressed
Respondents
Never 2
sometimes 5
fairly often 7
very often 16
7
20
7
2
1
Highly agreed
Agreed
Disagreed
Strongly disagreed

Interpretation: Through the diagram, it can be stated that majority of the selected respondents
are stated that very frequently they got nervous and stressed during the pandemic time. Like, out
of 30, 16 stated that very often and 7 answer fairly often while 5 of them stated sometimes.
Hence, it is evaluated that WHO also provided the news that the mental health issues are
suddenly increases due to this pandemic time and this cause opposite impact upon the health of a
people in negative manner.
Theme 5: Symptoms while people saw any news related to Corona Virus
Respondents
Leads to depression 16
Difficulty in sleeping and concentration 7
Changes in eating pattern 5
Fear and worry about own health 2
8
2
5
7
16
Never
sometimes
fairly often
very often

Interpretation: It is clearly analyzed from the above graph that this disease cause direct impact
upon the mental health and most of the people leads to depression. Such that while conducting
first handed research, it is analyzed that 16 out of 30 are stated depression is the direct impact
due to COVID- 19, while 7 answer difficulty in sleeping and concentration, also, 5 stated that
changes in eating pattern because most of the people do not have any work and this in turn leads
to affect their health. Only 2 of them stated that this cause to fear and worry about their own
health. Hence, it is clearly analyzed that this disease affected the entire mental status in opposite
manner.
Theme 6: There is a difference in ratio of depression and anxiety among different age
people
Respondents
Highly agreed 18
Agreed 7
Disagreed 2
9
16
7
5
2
Leads to depression
Difficulty in sleeping and
concentration
Changes in eating pattern
Fear and worry about own
health

Strongly disagreed 3
Interpretation: As per the primary research, scholar investigated that there is a high difference
in the prevalence o depression and anxiety among different age people such that every age group
is affected in adverse manner. Like, 18 out of 30 are highly agreed, 7 of them are agreed and 2
of them are disagreed. So, it is also supported by Aravena and et.al., (2020) that there is every
age people is suffered from the disease and majority of them are adult because of job loss, while
older people are physically obese because they do not go out and this all clearly reflected that it
affect the overall people towards stress and depression and many of them also leads towards
death too.
Theme 7: More than half of a day people watch news
Respondents
Once in a day 1
every two hours 2
more than half of the day 22
10
Highly agreed Agreed Disagreed Strongly disagreed
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
18
7
2
3
Respondents

All time 5
Interpretation: During Corona Virus, most of the people watch news channel in order to get
more information about the world, but they do not know that it also cause negative impact upon
their health. Such that out of 30, only 1 respondent answer they watch news once in a day, while
22 stated that they watch news related to COVID more than half of day and only 5 of them are
stated all time. So it is clearly examine that majority of the people belongs to different age
people watch news to collect information related to death and recovery of people but it directly
affected their mental health which many cause opposite impact.
Theme 8: News channel is the biggest medium that lead to cause depressed
Respondents
News channels 18
Social media 9
Daily activity 2
All of these 1
11
Once in a day
every two hours
more than half of the day
All time
0
5
10
15
20
25
1 2
22
5
Respondents

Interpretation: It is examine that more than half of people watch news and that is why, it Is
consider the highest used medium that further lead to cause depression at the time of COVID-
19. Also, with the help of primary research, it is clearly analyzed that more than half (18 out of
30) are stated news channel, while 9 of them stated that social media and 2 answer daily
activity, while 1 of them answer that all these activities. So, it is analyzed that people are
engaged in news channel so that they collect different information and this in turn affect the
overall health.
Theme 9: Yes, parents stay the children away from the news channels to free from
depression
Respondents
Highly agreed 21
Agreed 5
Disagreed 2
Strongly disagreed 2
12
18
9
2
1
News channels
Social media
Daily activity
All of these

Interpretation: In accordance with the above table, most of people are stated that they stay the
children away from the news channels to free from depression. Like, out of 30 employees, 21
are highly agreed with the statement and 5 of them are agreed, while 2 of them are disagreed and
only 2 are highly disagreed. Thus, it is clearly examine that most of the people are also aware
that watching continuously news will affect the negative impact upon their children and that is
why, they stay away their children as well.
Theme 10: Different strategy that lead to decrease the impact of depression
Respondents
Meditation 2
Spend good time with family members 6
keep yourself busy in work 4
All of these 18
13
21
5
2
2
Highly agreed
Agreed
Disagreed
Strongly disagreed

Interpretation: Most of the people perform many activities in order to stay themselves away
from negative news and that is why, by conducting the primary research, it is also analyzed that
out of 30 respondents, 2 stated that they always do meditation in order to make their
concentration strong and focused, while 6 o them stated that they always share their time with
family by playing indoor games and 4 of them stated that they keep themselves busy in any
work whether it may be official work or household work. But among all, 18 of them stated that
these all activities are used by the people in order to decrease the impact of depression during
COVID- 19.
CONCLUSION
By summing up above, it has been concluded that there are vast negative impact upon
mental health of a people during COVID -19. Such that from the literature review it has been
summarized that there are many causes of declining in mental status of different age people
during COVID -19 and this directly also cause to depression as well. Also, WHO also provides
the detail which clearly reflected that mental health problem is increases at world level due to
14
2
6
4
18
Meditation
Spend good time with family
members
keep yourself busy in work
All of these

pandemic time and most of the old age people even died while adult people leads towards
depression because of many reason.
On the other side, by using qualitative study in which primary research has been included
and it has been realized from the selected sample that they all are also highly agreed that it
directly lead to affect the mental status of people and every people suffered from differently.
Also, news channel is consider the highest used medium to convey the information related to
COVID which leads to affect the mental status and most of the people are also leads towards
depression.
Recommendations
 It is suggested that during this time, every person has to stay with their families where
they may get support and share the views. This is turn help to creates positive impact
upon health and feel positive during pandemic crisis.
 Also, young age people should spend their time with their older people in order to learn
some new things. They may also learn how their parents spend their time when they do
not have gadgets like mobile phone, laptop. These in turn help them to learn new things
from this modern era and enhance their learning as well.
 Though government took their own steps for controlling the situation, but people should
start avoiding watching news channel and start focusing on exercise, meditation which
help to boost their immune system. This will help to stay healthy and strong in order to
fight during the crisis.
15

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Abadie, A. and et.al., 2020. Sampling‐Based versus Design‐Based Uncertainty in Regression
Analysis. Econometrica. 88(1). pp.265-296.
Aravena, J.M. and et.al., 2020. 'Drawing on Wisdom to Cope with Adversity:'A Systematic
Review Protocol of Older Adults' Mental and Psychosocial Health During Acute
Respiratory Disease Propagated-Type Epidemics and Pandemics (COVID-19, SARS-
CoV, MERS, and Influenza). MedRxiv.
Balasubramanian, A. and et.al., 2020. Impact of COVID‐19 on the mental health of surgeons
and coping strategies. Head & Neck.
Bullmore, E. and et.al., 2020. Multidisciplinary research priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic:
a call for action for mental health science.
Cole, R., 2020. Getting your research philosophy clear. In How to Keep your Doctorate on
Track. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Hotopf, M. and et.al., 2020. The scope of mental health research in the COVID-19 Pandemic
and its aftermath. The British Journal of Psychiatry, pp.1-7.
Johnson, S. and et.al., 2020. Impact on mental health care and on mental health service users of
the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed methods survey of UK mental health care
staff. MedRxiv.
Mcfarlane, A. and et.al., 2020. Impact of COVID-19 on mental health care for Veterans:
Improvise, adapt and overcome. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health,
pp.Accepted-version.
Torales, J. and et.al., 2020. The outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus and its impact on global
mental health. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, p.0020764020915212.
Vogl, S., Schmidt, E. M. and Zartler, U., 2019. Triangulating perspectives: ontology and
epistemology in the analysis of qualitative multiple perspective interviews. International
Journal of Social Research Methodology. 22(6). pp.611-624.
Zhang, Y. and Ma, Z. F., 2020. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and quality
of life among local residents in Liaoning Province, China: A cross-sectional
study. International journal of environmental research and public health.17(7). p.2381.
Zhou, X. and et.al., 2020. The role of telehealth in reducing the mental health burden from
COVID-19. Telemedicine and e-Health.26(4). pp.377-379.
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Appendix
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Gender:
1. Which is the most affecting age group people during COVID 19?
 from 10-15
 From 16 -25
 From 26- 45
 From 46 – 60
 All of these
2. Do you think that COVID- 19 affect the mental status of people in adverse manner?
 Highly agreed
 Agreed
 Disagreed
 Strongly disagreed
3. Do you agree with the statement that: rumors of COVID -19 leads to creates depression upon
many people?
 Highly agreed
 Agreed
 Disagreed
 Strongly disagreed
4. How often have you felt nervous and stressed?
 Never
 sometimes
 fairly often
 very often
5. Which of the the following is consider the most common symptom while people saw any
news related to COVID- 19?
 Leads to depression
17

 Difficulty in sleeping and concentration
 Changes in eating pattern
 Fear and worry about own health
6. do you think there is any difference in the prevalence of depression and anxiety among
different age people?
 Highly agreed
 Agreed
 Disagreed
 Strongly disagreed
7. How frequently you watch news?
 Once in a day
 every two hours
 more than half of the day
 All time
8. Which of the following is consider the biggest medium that lead to cause depressed?
 News channels
 Social media
 Daily activity
 All of these
9. Do you ever try to stay the children away from the news channels to free from depression due
to COVID- 19?
 Highly agreed
 Agreed
 Disagreed
 Strongly disagreed
10. Which of the following is consider a good strategy to decrease the impact of depression
upon people during COVID- 19?
 Meditation
 Spend good time with family members
 keep yourself busy in work
 All of these
18

11. Do you perform any activities to stay you health good and feel positive during the pandemic
crisis?
19