CHANGES OF MENTAL STATUS CHARACTERISTICS AMONG HUNGARIAN ADULTS IN THE YEAR FOLLOWING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Background
The negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health are still present today and are the subject of international research. The present cross-sectional quantitative study aimed to assess depression, anxiety and stress as well as mental health and well-being among Hungarian adults.

Material and methods
The online survey study consisted of two data collections: the first survey was conducted in the spring of 2022 with the participation of 482 adults, while the second survey was performed in the spring of 2023 with 1157 adults. The questionnaire contained questions on socio-demographic data, about subjective mental status and characteristics of mental health.

Results
During the one year passed since the last pandemic wave, mitigation of the symptoms of depression and stress and the worsening of anxiety symptoms was observed among the Hungarian adult population. A slight improvement of emotional and psychological well-being but a mild deterioration of social well-being was experienced in the same timeframe in the year following the pandemic.

Conclusions
Long-term monitoring of the population’s mental status is justified, and the attention of professionals working in the field of mental health improvement is again directed to the necessity of prevention and intervention programs targeting vulnerable groups.