TY - JOUR AU - Argyropoulos, Konstantinos AU - Krikonis, Konstantinos AU - Jelastopulu, Eleni PY - 2021/03/08 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - COVID-19 Lockdown and its Impact on Mental Health in Various Population Groups in Greece: A Cross-Sectional Study JF - Integrative Journal of Medical Sciences JA - Integr J Med Sci VL - 8 IS - SE - RESEARCH ARTICLES DO - 10.15342/ijms.2021.447 UR - https://www.mbmj.org/index.php/ijms/article/view/447 SP - AB - <p><strong>Introduction: </strong>COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has brought a serious impact on physical and mental health. <strong>Objective: </strong>The purpose of the present study was to estimate the impact of the first lockdown in Greece, on both quality of life and anxiety levels in different occupational groups. <strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from the 20th of April to the 4th of May 2020. A 24-item anonymous questionnaire was administered to collect basic demographic and socioeconomic data. The 5-item WHO Well-Being Index (WHO-5, 0-100%, cut-off 52%) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) tools were used to assess well-being and anxiety, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS for Windows v.24.0 Statistical Package. <strong>Results: </strong>A total of 575 participated in the study, 62.8% females, 48.5% aged between 40 to 59 years. 32.5% were employed in the education sector, 32.5% in the health sector, and 20.3% as season workers in the tourism sector. Males showed slightly higher levels of well-being (52.1 vs. 47.3, p=0.023) and lower levels of anxiety (7.1 vs. 8.2, p=0.023) compared to females. Factors associated with higher well-being and lower anxiety were higher education and income level, optimism, taking fewer protection measures, and being a seasonal worker. Furthermore, participants with comorbidities and symptoms like headache, musculoskeletal pain, as well as feeling depressed or stressed revealed lower well-being and higher anxiety scores. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study revealed overall poor well-being and mild to moderate levels of anxiety during the lockdown. Actions should be taken to address and prevent its serious impact on mental health.</p> ER -