Mental health in selected MENA countries during COVID-19: an empirical investigation

P. Fikry
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Abstract

PurposeThe outbreak of COVID-19 not only had serious negative impacts on the world economy but also on the global mental health because of the psychological disorders associated with the spread of the pandemic, the increased degree of uncertainty and the unprecedented measures taken by different countries to face the pandemic’s spread. This paper analyses the mental health well-being of individuals in selected MENA countries (Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt) during the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a pooled OLS model using the Economic Research Forum (ERF) COVID-19 MENA Monitor Survey panel dataset collected during 2020 and 2021.FindingsThe findings show that there is no association between the mental health of individuals in the selected countries and their age, gender, family size, marital status, receipt of social support and participation in care work. Mental health improved at higher levels of education, being employed, being a rural area resident and living in Morocco or Tunisia compared to living in Jordan while it worsened as income declined, food insecurity and anxiety about being infected with Covid-19 increased, being a resident in camps, and during waves 4 and 5. Based on these results, it is recommended that suitable financial, physical and human resources should be directed towards the provision of mental health care services in the region. Also, mental health care services should be accessible to different population groups, with a special focus towards the most vulnerable since they are more prone to mental illnesses, especially during health crises and economic shocks. This should be accompanied by increasing awareness about the provided services and reducing stigma against mental illnesses. Furthermore, introduction of policies targeted towards reducing food insecurity and income instability can play a key role in enhancing mental well-being.Originality/valueAlthough few papers have previously investigated the impact of COVID-19 on mental health in MENA countries, most of them have focused on a country-level analysis and adopted a gender perspective. Hence, this paper aims at exploring the association between mental health well-being and socio-economic factors in selected MENA countries during the pandemic.
某些中东和北非国家在 COVID-19 期间的心理健康:实证调查
目的 COVID-19 的爆发不仅对世界经济造成了严重的负面影响,而且还对全球心理健康造成了严重影响,因为大流行病的传播导致了心理障碍,增加了不确定性,而且不同国家为应对大流行病的传播采取了前所未有的措施。本文分析了部分中东和北非国家(约旦、摩洛哥、突尼斯和埃及)的个人在大流行病期间的心理健康情况。研究采用了一个集合 OLS 模型,该模型使用了 2020 年和 2021 年期间收集的经济研究论坛(ERF)COVID-19 中东和北非监测调查面板数据集。与生活在约旦的人相比,受教育程度较高、有工作、居住在农村地区、生活在摩洛哥或突尼斯的人的心理健康状况有所改善,而随着收入减少、粮食不安全和对感染 Covid-19 的焦虑增加、居住在难民营以及在第 4 波和第 5 波期间,心理健康状况有所恶化。根据上述结果,建议将适当的财力、物力和人力资源用于在该地区提供心理保健服务。此外,应为不同人群提供心理保健服务,尤其要关注最弱势人群,因为他们更容易患上精神疾病,尤其是在健康危机和经济冲击期间。与此同时,还应提高人们对所提供服务的认识,减少对精神疾病的偏见。此外,出台旨在减少粮食不安全和收入不稳定的政策,也能在提高精神健康方面发挥关键作用。 原创性/价值虽然此前很少有论文调查 COVID-19 对中东和北非国家精神健康的影响,但大多数论文都侧重于国家层面的分析,并采用了性别视角。因此,本文旨在探讨大流行期间某些中东和北非国家的心理健康与社会经济因素之间的关联。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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