Mental Health and Psychosocial Characteristics Associated With COVID-19 Among U.S. Adults.

Tsai, Jack; Huang, Minda; Elbogen, Eric

OBJECTIVE This study examined psychosocial and mental health characteristics associated with COVID-19 infection. METHODS An online survey that asked about COVID-19 status, social support, and mental health was used to recruit a national sample of 6,607 low- and middle-income adults; 354 reported a positive COVID-19 test, 1,819 reported a negative test, and 4,434 reported not being tested in May or June 2020. RESULTS Psychiatric history and current social support and mental health were not statistically significantly associated with testing positive for COVID-19 after analyses controlled for other characteristics. In order of magnitude, having any friends or family who had COVID-19, being a veteran, having a greater number of close friends or relatives, having any history of homelessness, having an advanced degree, or being a student was significantly associated with testing positive for COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS Clinical risk for COVID-19 infection and the medical needs of veterans and of unstably housed populations should be considered.