COVID-19 Pandemic: Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Levels Highest amongst Indigenous Peoples in Alberta

• Main Authors: Mobolaji A. Lawal, Reham Shalaby, Chidi Chima, Wesley Vuong, Marianne Hrabok, April Gusnowski, Shireen Surood, Andrew J. Greenshaw, Vincent I. O. Agyapong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
• Series: Behavioral Sciences
• Subjects: COVID-19; mobile phones; text; anxiety; depression; stress
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/11/9/115

This study explores differences in stress, anxiety, and depression experienced by different ethnic groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a cross-sectional online survey of subscribers of the COVID-19 Text4Hope text messaging program in Alberta. Stress, anxiety, and depression were measured among Caucasian, Indigenous, Asian, and other ethnic groups using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)-10, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7, and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 scales, respectively. The burden of depression and stress were significantly higher in Indigenous populations than in both Caucasian and Asian ethnic groups. The mean difference between Indigenous and Caucasian for PHQ-9 scores was 1.79, 95% CI of 0.74 to 2.84, <i>p</i> < 0.01 and for PSS-10 it was 1.92, 95% CI of 0.86 to 2.98, <i>p</i> < 0.01). The mean difference between Indigenous and Asian for PHQ-9 scores was 1.76, 95% CI of 0.34 to 3.19, <i>p</i> = 0.01 and for PSS-10 it was 2.02, 95% CI of 0.63 to 3.41, <i>p</i> < 0.01. However, Indigenous participant burden of anxiety was only significantly higher than Asian participants’ (mean difference for GAD-7 was 1.91, 95% CI of 0.65 to 3.18, <i>p</i> < 0.01). Indigenous people in Alberta have higher burden of mental illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings are helpful for service planning and delivery.