Gibson, B, Schneider, J, Talamonti, D and Forshaw, M (2021) The Impact of Inequality on Mental Health Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. Canadian Psychology, 62 (1). pp. 101-126. ISSN 0708-5591

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Abstract

Previous research on pandemics and emergencies has shown that such events often widen health inequalities in society and have a greater impact on socially disadvantaged groups. No review has so far looked at the impact of inequality factors on mental health outcomes during the novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19). The aim of the current review was therefore to assess the impact of inequality factors on mental health outcomes during COVID-19. After registration on PROSPERO, a systematic review was conducted for papers published up to July 31, 2020, using the databases Google Scholar, PsycINFO, PubMed (MEDLINE), and Web of Science. The following inequality factors were considered: education, income, employment, occupation, material and social deprivation, age, immigrant status, sexual orientation, functional health, cultural/racial background, sex, gender, and place of residence. Out of 1,931 references, 117 studies (300,061 participants) were included. Female sex, being of a younger age, financial insecurity, lack of access to clear messaging/information about the pandemic, proximity to large infection sites, having existing physical and/or psychological health conditions, and being subjected to abuse/stigma because of one’s identity as a member of an ethnic or sexual marginalized group predicted mental health inequalities. More research is required on how inequality affects mental health in less studied vulnerable populations, such as ethnic, sexual, and gender marginalized participants, as well as how inequality factors interact to affect mental health in the long term. Recommendations for researchers, mental health practitioners, and public health authorities for mitigating adverse mental health outcomes in vulnerable populations are outlined. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) <strong xmlns:lang="en">Public Significance Statement—The findings of this review suggest that several inequality factors, such as female sex, younger age, financial insecurity, having existing chronic health conditions, and being in an ethnic or sexual marginalized group predict worse mental health outcomes during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. There is an urgent need for mental health services to support vulnerable populations at this time, to reduce mental health inequalities and improve long-term psychological functioning. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) Des recherches antérieures sur les pandémies et les urgences ont montré que de tels événements augmentent souvent les inégalités en matière de santé dans la société et ont une incidence plus grave sur les groupes socialement défavorisés. À ce jour, aucune étude n’a examiné l’incidence des facteurs d’inégalité sur les résultats en matière de santé mentale lors de l’épidémie du nouveau coronavirus (COVID-19). L’objectif de la présente étude était donc d’évaluer l’incidence des facteurs d’inégalité sur les résultats en matière de santé mentale pendant la COVID-19. Après inscription sur PROSPERO, un examen systématique a été effectué pour les articles publiés jusqu’au 31 juillet 2020, en utilisant les bases de données Google Scholar, PsycINFO, PubMed (MEDLINE) et Web of Science. Les facteurs d’inégalité suivants ont été pris en considération : éducation, revenu, emploi, profession, privation matérielle et sociale, âge, statut d’immigrant, orientation sexuelle, santé fonctionnelle, origine culturelle/raciale, sexe, genre et lieu de résidence. Sur 1 931 références, 117 études (300 061 participants) ont été incluses. Le sexe féminin, le jeune âge, l’insécurité financière, le manque d’accès à des messages/renseignements clairs sur la pandémie, la proximité d’importants sites d’infection, les conditions de santé physique et/ou psychologique existantes et le fait d’être victime d’abus/stigmatisation en raison de son identité en tant que membre d’un groupe ethnique ou sexuel marginalisé ont permis de prédire les inégalités en matière de santé mentale. Des recherches supplémentaires sont nécessaires sur la manière dont les inégalités affectent la santé mentale dans les populations vulnérables moins étudiées, telles que les participants marginalisés sur le plan ethnique, sexuel et sexospécifique, ainsi que sur la manière dont les facteurs d’inégalité interagissent pour affecter la santé mentale à long terme. Des recommandations sont formulées à l’intention des chercheurs, des praticiens de la santé mentale et des autorités de santé publique pour atténuer les effets néfastes sur la santé mentale des populations vulnérables. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the CPA journal. It is not the copy of record.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	ANXIETY; CHINA; COVID-19; DEPRESSION; DISPARITIES; EPIDEMIC; inequality; inequity; mental health; OUTBREAK; pandemic; PREVALENCE; PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT; Psychology; Psychology, Multidisciplinary; QUALITY; RISK; Social Sciences; Social Sciences; Psychology, Multidisciplinary; Psychology; COVID-19; inequality; inequity; mental health; pandemic; PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT; EPIDEMIC; RISK; DEPRESSION; QUALITY; CHINA; DISPARITIES; PREVALENCE; OUTBREAK; ANXIETY; 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences; Social Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine > RA0440 Study and Teaching. Research
Divisions:	Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher:	Canadian Psychological Association
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	01 Feb 2023 11:20
Last Modified:	01 Feb 2023 11:30
DOI or ID number:	10.1037/cap0000272
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/18788

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