Social Isolation and Anxiety Disorders During COVID-19: A Systematic Review – Frontiers

Report on Social Isolation, Anxiety, and Sustainable Development Goals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction and Alignment with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

This report summarizes a systematic review examining the relationship between prolonged social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and increased anxiety levels in adults. The findings directly relate to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Specifically, the global rise in psychological distress resulting from pandemic control measures presents a significant challenge to achieving Target 3.4, which focuses on promoting mental health and well-being.

Objective and Methodology

Research Objective

The primary objective of the review was to synthesize evidence on how social isolation measures influenced anxiety levels among the general adult population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methodological Framework

• Design: A qualitative systematic review was conducted.
• Data Sources: Literature was identified through comprehensive searches in databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and SCOPUS.
• Process: Data extraction and quality assessment were performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The Downs and Black Checklist was utilized to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies.

Key Findings and Implications for Sustainable Development

Impact on Mental Health (SDG 3)

The review included seven studies with a total of 3014 participants. The results consistently demonstrated a significant adverse impact on public mental health, undermining progress toward SDG 3.

• A strong positive association was identified between the duration and intensity of social isolation and the prevalence of anxiety symptoms.
• Perceived isolation, or loneliness, was found to be a more powerful predictor of anxiety than objective measures of social contact.

Disproportionate Impacts and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The findings revealed that the mental health burden was not distributed equally, highlighting challenges related to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Specific population groups were identified as being more vulnerable to the psychological effects of isolation.

1. Older Adults: This demographic showed significantly higher vulnerability to anxiety when isolated or lacking adequate social support systems.
2. Students and Young Adults: This group also experienced elevated levels of anxiety, particularly individuals living alone or facing additional stressors related to the pandemic.

Conclusion and Recommendations for Advancing the SDGs

Conclusion

Social isolation implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic was a major contributor to increased anxiety symptoms across global adult populations. This outcome directly impacts the achievement of global health and equality targets.

Strategic Recommendations for Policy and Public Health

To mitigate the long-term consequences and build resilience for future crises, public health strategies must align with the Sustainable Development Goals.

• Enhance Mental Health Infrastructure (SDG 3): Public health initiatives must prioritize and invest in accessible mental health services designed to combat loneliness and promote sustainable social connectedness.
• Build Inclusive and Resilient Communities (SDG 11): Efforts should focus on strengthening community support networks to protect mental well-being, ensuring that cities and human settlements are inclusive, safe, and resilient.
• Address Health Inequities (SDG 10): Targeted interventions are required for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and young adults, to ensure equitable access to mental health support and reduce disparities in health outcomes.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article’s primary focus is on mental health, specifically the “global rise in psychological distress and anxiety disorders” resulting from social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This directly aligns with the core objective of SDG 3, which is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The conclusion explicitly calls for “Public health efforts” to mitigate these psychological consequences, reinforcing its connection to this goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • The article directly addresses the promotion of mental health and well-being. Its investigation into the “positive association between social isolation and anxiety” and its conclusion that public health efforts should “mitigate long-term psychological consequences” are central to this target. The study aims to synthesize evidence that can inform strategies for preventing and treating mental health conditions like anxiety disorders.
2. Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
   • The research is conducted in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, a global health crisis. By examining the mental health impacts of pandemic response measures like “enforced distancing measures like lockdowns,” the article contributes to a better understanding of the secondary health risks associated with managing pandemics. This knowledge is crucial for strengthening the capacity to manage future global health emergencies more holistically, considering both physical and mental well-being.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Implied Indicators for Target 3.4:
   • Prevalence of anxiety symptoms/disorders: The entire study is centered on measuring the rise in “anxiety levels in adults” and “anxiety disorders.” The findings of the seven studies reviewed, involving 3014 participants, serve as a measure of this indicator within the context of the pandemic.
   • Levels of perceived social isolation and loneliness: The article distinguishes between objective and perceived isolation, noting that “Perceived isolation was a stronger predictor of anxiety.” This suggests that measuring perceived loneliness is a critical indicator for assessing mental health risks and the effectiveness of interventions aimed at promoting social connectedness.
2. Implied Indicators for Target 3.d:
   • Availability of research on the mental health impacts of public health emergencies: The article itself, being a “systematic review,” represents an effort to synthesize and build upon existing research. The existence and quality of such studies are an indicator of a country’s or the global community’s capacity to understand and manage the full spectrum of health risks during a crisis.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: frontiersin.org