People with mental disorders during the pandemic

<b>Background:</b>
The present study aimed to support for people with mental disorders during
unpredictable and long-term mobility restrictions due to the coronavirus
disease 2019 pandemic. A longitudinal survey was conducted to compare the
differences in changes in and risk factors for depressive symptoms between
people with and without various psychiatric disorders.

<b>Methods:</b>
Web-based surveys were conducted from September 2020 to July 2022. Depressive
symptoms were measured via the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and
coping was measured via the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced
Inventory.

<b>Results:</b>
A total of 1,443 participants were analyzed, 9.3% of whom had mental disorders.
The participants with mental disorders used some coping styles more often than
did the participants without mental disorders. There was no significant
interaction effect between survey time and the presence or absence of mental
disorders, and the PHQ-9 score significantly decreased from January 2021 to
January 2022 among participants with and without mental disorders. Among
participants with mental disorders, being single was a risk factor, and there
was no significant effective coping strategy; the use of emotional support and
behavioral disengagement was significant for participants with increased
depressive symptoms.

<b>Conclusions:</b>
Depressive symptoms during the pandemic could be alleviated in the long term
regardless of the presence of mental disorders. People with mental disorders
use more coping strategies to deal with social disturbances; however, these
coping strategies do not have a direct effect on their mental health. The
presence of a spousal relationship and behavioral guidelines help to address
disturbances.