COVID-19 infection associated with poorer mental health in a representative population sample

Summary

This study examined whether COVID-19 infection is directly linked to worse mental health, using a representative sample of 1,407 Australian adults surveyed in May 2022. Participants reported their infection history, current COVID-related symptoms, and vaccination status, and completed measures of depression and anxiety. People who had been infected showed higher depression and anxiety, with the effect concentrated among those who were not fully vaccinated at the time of infection. Current physical symptoms were also strongly associated with poorer mental health. The authors conclude that both prior infection and lingering symptoms contribute to the mental health burden, and that vaccination may buffer the psychological impact of infection.