Data for: Psychological distress, anxiety, suicidality, and wellbeing in New Zealand during the COVID-19 lockdown: a cross-sectional study

Dataset for following paper. Introduction New Zealand’s early response to
the novel coronavirus pandemic included a strict lockdown which eliminated
community transmission of COVID-19. However, this success was not without
cost, both economic and social.  In our study, we examined the
psychological wellbeing of New Zealanders during the COVID-19 lockdown
when restrictions reduced social contact, limited recreation
opportunities, and resulted in job losses and financial insecurity.
Methods We conducted an online panel survey of a demographically
representative sample of 2010 adult New Zealanders. The survey contained
three standardised measures – the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale
(K10), the GAD-7, and the Well-Being Index (WHO-5) – as well as questions
designed specifically to measure family violence, suicidal ideation, and
alcohol consumption. It also included items assessing positive aspects of
the lockdown. Results Thirty percent of respondents reported moderate to
severe psychological distress (K10), 16% moderate to high levels of
anxiety, and 39% low wellbeing; well above baseline measures. Poorer
outcomes were seen among young people and those who had lost jobs or had
less work, those with poor health status, and who had past diagnoses of
mental illness. Suicidal ideation was reported by 6%, with 2% reporting
making plans for suicide and 2% reporting suicide attempts. Suicidality
was highest in those aged 18–34. Just under 10% of participants had
directly experienced some form of family harm over the lockdown period.
However, not all consequences of the lockdown were negative, with 64%
reporting ‘silver linings’, which included enjoying working from home,
spending more time with family, and a quieter, less polluted environment.
Conclusions New Zealand’s lockdown successfully eliminated COVID-19 from
the community, but our results show this achievement brought a significant
psychological toll. Although much of the debate about lockdown measures
has focused on their economic effects, our findings emphasise the need to
pay equal attention to their effects on psychological wellbeing.