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Global Health Econ Sustain COVID-19: Mental health in South-South Nigeria

(Archibong et al., 2021). The pressures resulting from reported singles as having higher GAD levels during
lost time during the lockdown may have compelled some lockdown restrictions (Lemuel et al., 2021). The disparity
young girls into early marriages and teenage pregnancies could be attributed to the fact that the study by Lemuel
in Nigeria. A study conducted in the United States of et al. (2021) predominately comprised single respondents
America reported that depression was on the rise among (54.2%), whereas our study predominantly included
females, and this was associated with academic and married respondents (53.1%). A majority of the married
social pressure and societal standards of beauty (Geiger respondents reported increased expenditure on food (54%)
& Leslie, 2019). These findings reinforce the World and expressed concerns about their financial stability and
Health Organization’s (WHO) identification of women as food shortages during the lockdown (68.8%). It has been
vulnerable individuals in Africa who require assistance in previously established that worry is a core feature of GAD
response strategies against COVID-19 (Kasozi et al., 2020). (Harvey et al., 2004). The concern about finances and
Our research finding highlights critical gender differences feeding may have contributed to the heightened GAD
in how individuals cope with stressors, a phenomenon also scores observed among married respondents in the study.
documented by other authors who reported that males Furthermore, married respondents exhibited higher scores
tend to have a greater capacity to face chronic stressors than for anger, which is consistent with findings from other
females, potentially explaining why female respondents studies. These studies have shown that married individuals
suffered higher rates of depression compared to their male tend to express anger easily in the presence of their partners
counterparts (Bangasser and Valentino, 2014). because it provides them an avenue to vent, and the act of
venting anger may provide some form of relief (Pritamani,
4.4. Relationship between depressive disorders, 2021; Lemuel et al., 2021).
age, and marital status
4.6. Correlation between educational attainment
There was a statistically significant correlation between and depression
depression and age (χ = 36.62, df =2, p < 0.001). Our
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regression analysis revealed a clear relationship between The current investigation revealed a substantial correlation
depression severity and age among male respondents, between depression and educational attainment. This is
indicating depression severity increased with age in our due to the fact that higher education is associated with
study. This finding supports previous research conducted a reduced likelihood of depression. It provides a level of
by other authors (Serpytis et al., 2018; Lozano et al., protection against depression that strengthens with each
2013). Depressive disorder was higher in respondents who level of education attained. As individuals advance in
were separated or widowed in the study. Couples who education, the rate at which they experience depression
have been separated or divorced have been linked with decreases, as demonstrated by our study and supported by
an increased risk of depressive disorders (Mertens et al., research conducted by Bauldry (2015). Respondents with
2020). Marriage offers some forms of protection against primary educational attainment had higher GAD scores
depression and alcohol use (Sharmal et al., 2017). Based followed by those with secondary educational attainment.
on our findings, the null hypothesis, according to which Among those with no formal education, both anger and
there is no statistically significant correlation between age depression scores were elevated.
and depression in the research population, will be rejected. This implies that respondents with no formal educational
We reject the null hypothesis that there is no statistically attainment suffered more anger and depression compared
significant link between depression and marital status in to those with some level of education. Educational status
the research population. has been linked to better anger control and protection
against depression in various studies (Boylan & Ryff, 2015;
4.5. Relationship between GADs, anger disorders, Bjelland et al., 2008).
and marital status
Our findings revealed a statistically significant correlation 4.7. Relationship between income status and mental
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(χ = 17.63, df = 4, p = 0.001) between marital status and health disorder
levels of anger expression. Consequently, we reject the null The study uncovered a correlation between mental health
hypothesis, positing no statistically significant correlation issues and income levels. It was observed that respondents
between the study population’s marital status and rage who were unemployed (no income) and those earning
intensity. Interestingly, married respondents exhibited below 30000 ₦ (30 USD) exhibited higher scores for GAD,
higher levels of GAD, followed by widowed respondents, anger, and depression compared to those earning above
during the COVID-19 pandemic in the South-South 30000 ₦ (30 USD) and 40000 ₦ (40 USD). However,
part of Nigeria. This contrasts with studies that have income did not significantly correlate with depression

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 9 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.2551