The Mental Health Impact of COVID Compliance

A new analysis suggests that individuals who were more compliant with COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in 2020 are more likely to continue experiencing anxiety and depression over three years later. The study, conducted by experts at Bangor University, divided participants into two personality types: agentic (self-serving) and communal (concerned for others). Those with communal personalities, who adhered more strictly to COVID-19 restrictions, were found to have lower overall well-being compared to the agentic personalities. The authors suggest that the lack of effective messaging during the transition back to normal living may have contributed to these mental health struggles and recommend considering both personality types in future government messaging to increase compliance with health measures.