Risk and protective factors for new‐onset binge eating, low weight, and self‐harm symptoms in >35,000 individuals in the UK during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
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| Title: | Risk and protective factors for new‐onset binge eating, low weight, and self‐harm symptoms in >35,000 individuals in the UK during the COVID‐19 pandemic. |
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| Authors: | Davies, Helena L., Hübel, Christopher, Herle, Moritz, Kakar, Saakshi, Mundy, Jessica, Peel, Alicia J., ter Kuile, Abigail R., Zvrskovec, Johan, Monssen, Dina, Lim, Kai Xiang, Davies, Molly R., Palmos, Alish B., Lin, Yuhao, Kalsi, Gursharan, Rogers, Henry C., Bristow, Shannon, Glen, Kiran, Malouf, Chelsea Mika, Kelly, Emily J., Purves, Kirstin L. |
| Source: | International Journal of Eating Disorders. Jan2023, Vol. 56 Issue 1, p91-107. 17p. 3 Charts, 4 Graphs. |
| Subjects: | Body weight, Minorities, Multiple regression analysis, Mental health, Health outcome assessment, Suicidal ideation, Age factors in disease, Employment, Descriptive statistics, Research funding, Sociodemographic factors, Data analysis software, Self-mutilation, COVID-19 pandemic, Mental illness, Comorbidity |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom |
| Abstract: | Objective: The disruption caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic has been associated with poor mental health, including increases in eating disorders and self‐harm symptoms. We investigated risk and protective factors for the new onset of these symptoms during the pandemic. Method: Data were from the COVID‐19 Psychiatry and Neurological Genetics study and the Repeated Assessment of Mental health in Pandemics Study (n = 36,715). Exposures were socio‐demographic characteristics, lifetime psychiatric disorder, and COVID‐related variables, including SARS‐CoV‐2 infection/illness with COVID‐19. We identified four subsamples of participants without pre‐pandemic experience of our outcomes: binge eating (n = 24,211), low weight (n = 24,364), suicidal and/or self‐harm ideation (n = 18,040), and self‐harm (n = 29,948). Participants reported on our outcomes at frequent intervals (fortnightly to monthly). We fitted multiple logistic regression models to identify factors associated with the new onset of our outcomes. Results: Within each subsample, new onset was reported by: 21% for binge eating, 10.8% for low weight, 23.5% for suicidal and/or self‐harm ideation, and 3.5% for self‐harm. Shared risk factors included having a lifetime psychiatric disorder, not being in paid employment, higher pandemic worry scores, and being racially minoritized. Conversely, infection with SARS‐CoV‐2/illness with COVID‐19 was linked to lower odds of binge eating, low weight, and suicidal and/or self‐harm ideation. Discussion: Overall, we detected shared risk factors that may drive the comorbidity between eating disorders and self‐harm. Subgroups of individuals with these risk factors may require more frequent monitoring during future pandemics. Public Significance: In a sample of 35,000 UK residents, people who had a psychiatric disorder, identified as being part of a racially minoritized group, were not in paid employment, or were more worried about the pandemic were more likely to experience binge eating, low weight, suicidal and/or self‐harm ideation, and self‐harm for the first time during the pandemic. People with these risk factors may need particular attention during future pandemics to enable early identification of new psychiatric symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Objective: The disruption caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic has been associated with poor mental health, including increases in eating disorders and self‐harm symptoms. We investigated risk and protective factors for the new onset of these symptoms during the pandemic. Method: Data were from the COVID‐19 Psychiatry and Neurological Genetics study and the Repeated Assessment of Mental health in Pandemics Study (n = 36,715). Exposures were socio‐demographic characteristics, lifetime psychiatric disorder, and COVID‐related variables, including SARS‐CoV‐2 infection/illness with COVID‐19. We identified four subsamples of participants without pre‐pandemic experience of our outcomes: binge eating (n = 24,211), low weight (n = 24,364), suicidal and/or self‐harm ideation (n = 18,040), and self‐harm (n = 29,948). Participants reported on our outcomes at frequent intervals (fortnightly to monthly). We fitted multiple logistic regression models to identify factors associated with the new onset of our outcomes. Results: Within each subsample, new onset was reported by: 21% for binge eating, 10.8% for low weight, 23.5% for suicidal and/or self‐harm ideation, and 3.5% for self‐harm. Shared risk factors included having a lifetime psychiatric disorder, not being in paid employment, higher pandemic worry scores, and being racially minoritized. Conversely, infection with SARS‐CoV‐2/illness with COVID‐19 was linked to lower odds of binge eating, low weight, and suicidal and/or self‐harm ideation. Discussion: Overall, we detected shared risk factors that may drive the comorbidity between eating disorders and self‐harm. Subgroups of individuals with these risk factors may require more frequent monitoring during future pandemics. Public Significance: In a sample of 35,000 UK residents, people who had a psychiatric disorder, identified as being part of a racially minoritized group, were not in paid employment, or were more worried about the pandemic were more likely to experience binge eating, low weight, suicidal and/or self‐harm ideation, and self‐harm for the first time during the pandemic. People with these risk factors may need particular attention during future pandemics to enable early identification of new psychiatric symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 02763478 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/eat.23834 |
