Session: [WITHDRAWN] The Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19: Evidence from the US and Israel (Society for Social Work and Research 28th Annual Conference - Recentering & Democratizing Knowledge: The Next 30 Years of Social Work Science)

The COVID-19 outbreak has significantly affected mental health worldwide–the stress and anxiety caused by uncertainty, isolation, and financial strain have led to increased depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. However, the destructive impact on mental health is not uniform or natural, as vulnerable socio-economic groups are disproportionately affected due to institutional and structural problems in modern society. Four papers in this symposium connect mental health disparities to these structural problems in the US and Israel. First, Graham et al. investigate if racial groups differed in coping, resilience, and optimism during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, and the implications for mental health. Using a nationally representative panel survey in the US, authors find that Black and Hispanic individuals were more resilient and optimistic than their White counterparts, which has implications for the long-term mental health of different population groups during public health crises. Second, Pitcho-Prelorentzos et al. explore the relationship between food insecurity and symptoms of anxiety and depression, and the moderating role of optimism. They find a positive association between food insecurity and anxiety and depression symptoms over time, while optimism was negatively correlated with these symptoms. Additionally, optimism was found to moderate the association between food insecurity and anxiety symptoms over time, particularly for women, married/coupled individuals, and parents. The last two papers examine the effects of isolation on mental health during the pandemic. In the third paper, Moran et al. focus on the impact of changes in the work environment. Using a longitudinal panel survey, they found negative relationships between remote work settings and employees' mental health. These associations were significant among non-partnered adults and those without children, but not among partnered adults and those with children. Interestingly, the shift in the work setting was significantly associated with anxiety among men and depression among women. The fourth paper by Heller et al. focuses on the impact of isolation on children's mental health. The authors used self-reported data obtained from 375 parents of young children in November 2021 and found a positive relationship between the quarantine experience of children and behavioral issues such as rage outbursts, physical violence, and panic attacks. The study suggests that repeated quarantines may have long-term effects on the development of young children and recommends policy changes for the treatment of children who experience home quarantines. The four papers presented in this symposium provide empirical evidence of the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. As we move into the post-pandemic period, it is expected that mental health challenges will continue to arise. The post-pandemic period will bring its own unique challenges, such as adapting to changes in work, school, and social life, as well as coping with grief and loss. Therefore, our papers stress the importance of prioritizing mental health during this period, ensuring that mental health resources and support are easily accessible, and working towards reducing the stigma surrounding seeking help for mental health issues.