Who maintains good mental health in a locked-down country? A French nationwide online survey of 11,391 participants

Health Place. 2020 Nov:66:102440. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2020.102440. Epub 2020 Sep 15.

Abstract

Lockdown measures can differentially affect mental wellbeing in populations depending on individual determinants. We aim to investigate the sociodemographic and environmental determinants of wellbeing on the French population during lockdown due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with an online survey. Among 11,391 participants who completed the questionnaire, various factors negatively impacted wellbeing: being a female, a student, disabled, having no access to outdoor spaces, or living in a small home. Conversely, being employed and having more social contacts had a positive impact. During lockdowns, authorities should consider the vulnerability of specific populations, especially when they live in constrained housing conditions.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Lockdown; Mental health; Mental wellbeing.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 / psychology*
  • Communicable Disease Control / methods
  • Female
  • France
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Quarantine / methods*
  • Quarantine / psychology*
  • Residence Characteristics / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult