Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

May 21, 2020

Depression and Loneliness during COVID-19 Restrictions in the United States and Their Associations with Frequency of Social and Sexual Connections

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  • [pre-print, not peer reviewed] In a nationally representative cross-sectional online survey of US adults (N=1,010). One-third of participants reported depressive symptoms.  
  • Depressive symptoms were more commonly reported by women, those who were unmarried, had low-income, and were age 20-29. Frequent in-person social connections (e.g. hugging family members) and sexual connections (e.g. partnered sexual activity, dating app use) were associated with lower depression and loneliness. Frequent remote connections (e.g. video chats) were not associated with lower depression or loneliness. 

Rosenberg et al. (May 20 ,2020). Depression and Loneliness during COVID-19 Restrictions in the United States and Their Associations with Frequency of Social and Sexual Connections. Pre-print downloaded May 21 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.18.20101840