Mental health and physical distancing in the context of "living with COVID" in the United Kingdom: Comparing the general population and people with disabilities.

Abstract

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic revealed substantial differences in engagement with recommended protective behaviors and mental health between individuals with and without disabilities. We compare mental health and physical distancing among people with disabilities and the general population in the context of the U.K. policy of "living with the virus."

Method: Data were collected via online questionnaire from July 4 to July 7, 2022 (N = 1,445, of which 590 people with disabilities). We measured anxiety and depression symptoms, engagement with physical distancing, tendency to avoid social gatherings, with additional measures from the theories of conservation resources, health beliefs, and protection motivation.

Results: People with disabilities perceived themselves to be lower in social support and self-efficacy than individuals without disabilities. People with disabilities also reported less coronavirus-specific distress and less belief in the efficacy of physical distancing as a preventative measure. People with disabilities were more likely to show symptoms of depression and more likely to avoid social gatherings than members of the U.K. general population without disabilities. People with disabilities were, however, likely to consider themselves more resilient than individuals without disabilities.

Conclusions: People with disabilities report greater depression, even 2 years into the pandemic, and were more likely to avoid social interactions with others. This study suggests it is important not to give up vigilance against the virus, and to pay special attention to the mental health and welfare of vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).