Classification and influencing factors of depression and anxiety progression during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

This study aimed to classify latent profiles based on the temporal progression of depression and anxiety during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and explored factors influencing these trajectories. An online survey was conducted with 497 South Korean individuals aged 19 to 69 years in three rounds: the first half of 2020 (Round 1), the second half of 2020 (Round 2), and the first half of 2023 (Round 3). A growth mixture model categorized latent profiles based on the progression of depression and anxiety and examined influencing factors. Results revealed three depression progression categories: low-level increasing, high-level decreasing, and low-level maintenance. Similarly, anxiety progression categories included high-level decreasing, low-level increasing, and low-level maintenance. Gender, age, perceived stress, and gratitude significantly impacted the classification of depression and anxiety profiles, while fear of COVID-19 infection specifically influenced anxiety profiles. These findings demonstrate that individual demographic and psychological factors have a lasting impact on long-term mental health changes. This highlights the importance of tailored mental health interventions that consider individual characteristics to alleviate perceived stress and foster gratitude.