Mental Health of COVID-19 Survivors at 6 and 12 Months Postdiagnosis: A Cohort Study

ObjectiveAs COVID-19 persists around the world, it is necessary to explore the long-term mental health effects in COVID-19 survivors. In this study, we investigated the mental health outcomes of survivors of COVID-19 at 6 and 12 months postdiagnosis. MethodsPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD checklist for the DSM-5, PCL-5), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, GAD-7), resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, CD-RISC-10), perceived social support (PSSS), personality traits (Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory-15, CBF-PI-15), and sociodemographic information were examined among 511 survivors of COVID-19 (48.1%, females; M-age = 56.23 years at first assessment) at 6 and 12 months postdiagnosis. The data were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed rank tests and multivariable logistic regression models. ResultsThe prevalence of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 6 and 12 months after diagnosis was 13.31% and 6.26%; 20.35% and 11.94%; and 13.11% and 6.07%, respectively. The risk factors for all symptoms were as follows: higher neuroticism; lower openness, extraversion, agreeableness, and resilience; greater life disruptions due to COVID-19; poorer living standards; and increased symptoms of PTSD or depression at 6 months postdiagnosis. ConclusionThe mental health of COVID-19 survivors improved between 6 and 12 months postdiagnosis. Mental health workers should pay long-term attention to this group, especially to survivors with risk factors.

Automated summary

This study investigated the mental health outcomes of COVID-19 survivors at 6 and 12 months postdiagnosis. It found that the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD decreased over time. Risk factors for these symptoms included higher neuroticism, lower openness, extraversion, agreeableness, and resilience, as well as disruptions to life and poorer living standards.