Schlögelhofer, Monika, Aschauer, Elena, Aschauer, Harald, Correll, Christoph U., Dorffner, Georg, Kuenburg, Alexa, Solmi, Marco and Thompson, Trevor ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9880-782X (2026) Two years of COVID-19: persistently reduced well-being and increases in global psychopathology during the pandemic in a representative Austrian population-sample within the COH-FIT study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 17:1783600. ISSN 1664-0640 (Online) (doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1783600)

Preview

PDF (Open Access Article) 53649 THOMPSON_Two_Years_Of_COVID-19_Persistently_Reduced_Well-Being_(OA)_2026.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic worsened well-being and mental health worldwide, but effects have diminished over time. However, prospective national data within representative samples remain scarce. We aimed to examine the change in well-being and psychopathology from pre-pandemic to intra-pandemic times in an Austrian representative general population sample, to identify vulnerable subgroups, and explore most effective coping strategies to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.
Methods: Data were collected in Austria as part of the Collaborative Outcomes Study on Health and Functioning During Infection Times (COH-FIT) survey, an international, multilingual, anonymous online survey assessing mental health indicators during COVID-19. Adults ≥18 years old participated through nationally representative sampling across three waves from 05/2020-04/2022. Outcomes included the WHO well-being index (WHO-5) and a global psychopathology score (‘P-score’), alongside 12 predefined risk factors and 16 coping strategies.
Results: Across 4,148 adults, the mean WHO-5 well-being score decreased by 7.5 ± 17.7 points from the pre-pandemic baseline (73.2 ± 19.7) to the intra-pandemic average (65.7 ± 24.1) (p<.001). Participants with female sex, pre-existing mental or physical health conditions, and unemployment experienced greater declines. The proportion of individuals scoring <50, indicating depression, increased from 12.6% pre-pandemic baseline to 25.1% intra-pandemic, and the proportion scoring <29, indicating major depression, increased from 3.3% to 9.7% (both p<.001). The ‘P-score’ increased by 9.6 ± 15.0 points from 24.1 ± 19.5 pre-pandemic baseline to 33.7 ± 22.4 intra-pandemic (p<.001) with the same risk groups (except female sex). Although the greatest deterioration in both outcomes occurred during the mid-pandemic period (04/2021), neither well-being nor ‘P-score’ levels returned to pre-pandemic baseline values by 04/2022, nor to values from 05/2020 (Wave 1). Greater deterioration in WHO-5 and the P-score were associated with female sex, unemployment, pre-existing mental or physical disorders, and COVID-19 infection. The most commonly reported helpful coping strategies included internet use, physical activity, media consumption, social media and remote interaction, and meaningful hobbies.
Discussion :COVID-19 had a persistent negative impact on well-being and mental health in Austria. Vulnerable subgroups - including those with prior health conditions and unemployment - were particularly affected. The findings underscore the importance of implementing public health measures together with targeted interventions, preventive measures, and long-term psychosocial support, especially for risk populations.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Austria, COH-FIT, coping strategies, COVID-19 pandemic, mental health, pandemic related stressors, psychopathology (‘P-score’), repeated cross-sectional representative study
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) Q Science > Q Science (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Chronic Illness and Ageing Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM) Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development
Last Modified:	02 Jun 2026 09:12
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/53649

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads