AR
UR
A recent study conducted by YouGov reported that more than half of the UAE residents experience the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health.
The international study saw the participation of 21,901 adults through online interviews conducted between 2-11 November 2020 and 19,114 adults between 20 September and 1 October 2021.
According to the data collected from the study, the negative effect of the pandemic crisis on the mental health of adults remained same over the past two years, with 54 percent in 2021 and 55 percent in 2020. Those surveyed participated from 17 countries across the world.
In addition, the proportion affirming the positive impact of the pandemic reported a slight increase, from 14 percent in 2020 to 19 percent in 2021.
Amid the fight against the pandemic crisis in recent weeks, the UAE government eased a number of COVID-19 restrictions which came as a great relief for residents as well as their mental health and wellbeing. A majority of people have been experiencing mental health concerns including isolation and anxiety due to lockdown and restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the pandemic.
The study also revealed that in the UAE, the negative impact of COVID-19 on people’s mental health was comparable across age groups, except for the elderly aged more than 55, noting that they are less likely to report negative mental health issues.
Furthermore, among genders, women (63 percent) were found to be more likely than men (50 percent) to experience negative impacts of COVID-19 on their mental health.
However, the mental health of people saw limited improvements in the UAE as the country ranks much lower than others on the list of nations where people reported negative impact of the pandemic on their mental well-being.
The results were compared to the 2020 iteration of the study, the data of which shows that Asian countries such as Singapore and Indonesia registered the largest increase in the number of people who pointed out negative impact of COVID-19 on their mental health.
On the other hand, European countries including Sweden, France, and Denmark reported the largest declines. Meanwhile, the UAE’s position is highly favorable compared to most Asian nations.
SOURCE: Arabian Business