A longitudinal study of depression, anxiety, and stress among Indians during COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 has caused significant public health chaos. Whether infected or uninfected, people have reported significant mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study explored symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress of uninfected people with the disease over three time periods. A total of 132 participants took part in all the three phases. Data at Time 1 and Time 2 were collected during the national lockdown with 1 month apart, while data at Time 3 were collected immediately once the lockdown was uplifted in India. Participants completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 online. The results indicated that despite an increase in the average number of COVID-19 cases, depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms decreased over time with the lowest level once the lockdown was ended. These results suggest that the restrictions implemented during the national lockdown led to distress, and not an increase in COVID-19 cases per se.