Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health of persons with disabilities: Insights from the 2021 Canadian Housing Survey.

Abstract

Mental health (MH) remains a major public health concern in Canada and has been exacerbated by the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions on physical movement. While considerable work has been done on the impact of COVID-19 on the physical and MH of the general population, relatively less work has focused on the MH of persons with disabilities (PWDs). Although the COVID-19 containment measures including lockdowns, social distancing, quarantine, and closure of nonessential services were intended to reduce the direct risks of COVID-19, the socioeconomic consequences of those restrictions and the uncertainties surrounding the virus, inadvertently had adverse impact on the MH and well-being of Canadian residents, particularly, among already marginalized groups such as PWDs. Moreover, PWDs were identified as disproportionately vulnerable to the psychological impacts of the pandemic containment measures which compromised their overall Positive Mental Health (PMH): a state of well-being where individuals can realize their full potential, manage life's stresses, work productively, and contribute to society. This study addresses the research gap by examining the effect of the pandemic on the MH of PWDs in Canada using a cross-sectional analysis of the 2021 Canadian Housing Survey (N = 15,626), a subset of people who reported disabilities. Logistic regression models were employed for this cross-sectional analysis. The results show that females (OR = 0.789; P < 0.001), those who experienced COVID-19 economic hardship (OR = 0.703; P < 0.001), and dwelling dissatisfaction (OR = 0.585; P < 0.001), significantly reported about 0.79, 0.70, and 0.59 times lower odds of positive Mental Health (PMH), respectively. On the other hand, those who had post-secondary educational attainment (OR = 1.210; P < 0.001), strong sense of community belonging (OR = 2.056; P < 0.001), and civic engagement with their communities (OR = 1.204; P < 0.001), were significantly associated with 1.21, 2.06, and 1.20 times higher odds of PMH, respectively. Additionally, immigration status, household type, the province of residence, and neighborhood-specific challenges such as race-based harassments, and drug use/dealings emerged as significant predictors of PMH. The findings underscore the positive impacts of empowering elements such as strong community ties on the MH of PWDs during public health crisis. Also, the findings prompt the pressing need for identifying and addressing the unique challenges of PWDs in Canada, particularly, the less educated and socioeconomically disadvantaged, as part of effort to foster PMH in the country. Overall, these findings suggest the need to prioritize and strengthen disability-inclusive MH programs for future public health crises.