Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10620/18591
Longitudinal Study: HILDA
Title: The effect of lockdowns on mental health: evidence from a natural experiment analysing an Australian longitudinal probability sample survey
Authors: Wooden, Mark 
Butterworth, Peter 
Schurer, Stefanie 
Trinh, Trong-Anh
Vera-Toscano, Esperanza
Publication Date: 1-May-2022
Pages: e427-e436
Keywords: Mental health
Covid-19
Lockdowns
Abstract: Background. Many studies have examined population mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic but have not been able to isolate the direct effect of lockdowns. Australia provides a rare opportunity to examine lockdown effects because its aggressive suppression policy response to COVID-19 enables disentangling the introduction of lockdowns from high rates of community transmission. Methods. Difference-in-difference models were estimated that compared changes in mental health of those exposed to lockdown with those not exposed. Mental health was assessed using the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5). The analysis was possible because of the coincidence of annual national longitudinal survey data collection during 2020 with a natural experiment, with residents in one part of Australia (Victoria) exposed to lockdown and those living elsewhere relatively free of restrictions. Outcomes. A significant, but relatively small, treatment effect of the lockdown on MHI-5 was found (-1·4 points: 95% CI -1·7 to 1·2). The treatment effect was larger for females ( 2·2: 2·6 to 1·7) and even larger for coupled females with dependent children ( 4·4: -5·0 to -3·8) and for females without access to personal outdoor space at home ( 4·2: 5·5 to 2·9). Treatments effects were generally small for males ( 0·7: 0·8 to 0·5). Interpretation. The imposition of lockdowns had a modest negative effect on overall population mental health. The mental health burden of lockdowns was not, however, felt equally by all groups.
DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(22)00082-2
URL: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(22)00082-2/fulltext
Research collection: Journal Articles
Appears in Collections:Journal Articles

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