Trauma-related Mental Health in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a ‘Living’ Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction:

This contribution is based on the findings from a ‘living’ systematic literature review seeking to understand the short and long term health impact of the COVID-19-pandemic. Emphasis is placed on the prevalence and risk factors of trauma-related mental health outcomes in the context of the pandemic. Especially when it comes to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it is questionable whether exposure types that are typical to the pandemic match the essence of the disorder. Our objective is to verify whether the international literature sufficiently distinguishes pandemic related exposure from other risk factors such as social demographic characteristics and non-pandemic related exposure to threats and life events.

Method:

This part of the ‘living’ systematic literature review is conducted under the umbrella of the Dutch Integrated Health Monitor COVID-19. In order to guide a research-driven data collection, several databases were searched for studies published during the pandemic. At the moment of abstract submission the protocol was published in Prospero and screening was in progress. Observational, quantitative studies including a specified exposure/event and a trauma-related mental health outcome measure are included. The included studies will be categorized based on type of exposure/event. Pooled prevalence will be calculated if studies are sufficiently homogeneous.

Results:

In progress.

Conclusion:

The results from this literature review are likely going to confirm that a substantial part of the international literature is polluted with studies promising to contain information on PTSD and other trauma-related health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet running short of linking symptomatology to particular types of exposure and risk factors. If this is the case, a risk exists that public health authorities are being recommended to apply preventive and curative trauma-focused interventions based on an ambiguous knowledge base. The results will be presented during the conference.