The Mental Burden of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Post-pandemic View From a Romanian Sample

BACKGROUND: The enduring psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to affect individuals long after the immediate health concerns have subsided. This research aims to identify specific groups within the Romanian population who are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health challenges that can interfere with everyday life and may lead to more serious mental health disorders. METHODS: Conducted as a cross-sectional survey, this study assessed the severity of psychological distress using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire in relation to COVID-19-related information and socio-demographic data to investigate the factors associated with psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania. RESULTS: Analysis of 521 questionnaires, filled out by a predominantly middle-aged cohort of 320 women and 201 men (mean age = 42.24, SD = 11.96), revealed that 63.72% of participants worked outside the healthcare field. Those unemployed or retired reported significantly higher anxiety levels than individuals in other sectors. Moreover, living alone, experiencing the loss of close relatives (6.14%) or friends (33.59%), and undergoing hospitalization or reinfection due to COVID-19 were linked to significantly elevated distress scores. CONCLUSION: By identifying the segments of the population most vulnerable to psychological distress, as evidenced by higher scores among the unemployed, retirees, individuals living alone, and those directly affected by COVID-19 through personal health or loss, targeted initiatives for psychological screening and therapy can be established. Such measures are essential for enhancing the post-pandemic mental well-being of Romanians, addressing the specific needs uncovered in this study. These findings are limited by the study type and sample size; therefore, more extensive, longitudinal research conducted on a larger population sample is necessary.