Prevalence and changes in boredom, anxiety and well-being among Ghanaians during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study
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Date
2021
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Abstract
Background: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with several adverse health outcomes.
However, few studies in sub-Saharan Africa have examined its deleterious consequences on mental health.
Therefore, we investigated the prevalence and changes in boredom, anxiety and psychological well-being before
and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana.
Methods: Data for this study were drawn from an online survey of 811 participants that collected retrospective
information on mental health measures including symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, boredom, and wellbeing.
Additional data were collected on COVID-19 related measures, biosocial (e.g. age and sex) and sociocultural
factors (e.g., education, occupation, marital status). Following descriptive and psychometric evaluation of measures
used, multiple linear regression was used to assess the relationships between predictor variables and boredom,
anxiety and psychological well-being scores during the pandemic. Second, we assessed the effect of anxiety on
psychological well-being. Next, we assessed predictors of the changes in boredom, anxiety, and well-being.
Results: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 63.5% reported better well-being, 11.6% symptoms of anxiety, and 29.6%
symptoms of boredom. Comparing experiences before and during the pandemic, there was an increase in
boredom and anxiety symptomatology, and a decrease in well-being mean scores. The adjusted model shows
participants with existing medical conditions had higher scores on boredom (ß = 1.76, p < .001) and anxiety (ß =
1.83, p < .01). In a separate model, anxiety scores before the pandemic (ß = -0.25, p < .01) and having prior medical
conditions (ß = -1.53, p < .001) were associated with decreased psychological well-being scores during the
pandemic. In the change model, having a prior medical condition was associated with an increasing change in boredom, anxiety, and well-being. Older age was associated with decreasing changes in boredom and well-being
scores.
Conclusions: This study is the first in Ghana to provide evidence of the changes in boredom, anxiety and
psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings underscore the need for the inclusion of
mental health interventions as part of the current pandemic control protocol and public health preparedness
towards infectious disease outbreaks.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Ghana, Psychological well-being, Coronavirus, Infectious disease, Mental health