The COVID-19 Pandemic: Age Differences in Sleep Quality and Mental Health Across 59 Countries

Abstract

Objective: To determine if there are pandemic-related sleep and mental health problems at different ages in the general population.
Design: Survey data were collected following a snowball sampling method via social media platforms and mailing lists.
Setting: General population
Participants: Participants included 6,882 individuals from the general population, from 59 countries.
Interventions: None
Main Outcome Measures: Children’s Revised Impact of Events Scale - 8 (CRIES-8); Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 (DASS-21); Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7); and Regulatory Satisfaction Alertness Timing Efficiency Duration (RU-SATED).
Results: The current findings show significant differences among age groups in sleep quality and mental health. The younger group (19-29 years) seemed to be the most impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting lower sleep quality and higher rates of trauma-related distress, stress, depression, and anxiety symptomatology during the lockdown.
Conclusion: The current findings underscore the importance of screening for and treating mental health and sleep problems in the global population, particularly among younger adults.