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Trends of Internet Search Volumes for Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysisopen accessTrends of Internet Search Volumes for Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis

Other Titles
Trends of Internet Search Volumes for Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis
Authors
Kim, JieunHan, JuhuiChun, Byung Chul
Issue Date
11-4월-2022
Publisher
KOREAN ACAD MEDICAL SCIENCES
Keywords
COVID-19; Physical Distancing; Major Depressive Disorder; Interrupted Time-Series Analysis
Citation
JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE, v.37, no.14, pp.1 - 10
Indexed
SCIE
SCOPUS
KCI
Journal Title
JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE
Volume
37
Number
14
Start Page
1
End Page
10
URI
https://scholar.korea.ac.kr/handle/2021.sw.korea/141092
DOI
10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e108
ISSN
1011-8934
Abstract
Background: The effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on public mental health has been increasing. Additionally, the underlying psychological stressors remain unexplored, and few studies have been conducted nationally on the social distancing measures. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the psychological impacts of the implementation of social distancing measures by analyzing the Internet search trends of major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms. Methods: Using Naver (R) Trends' relative search volumes (RSVs), we analyzed the average search volumes and trend changes of 16 terms, adopted from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 criteria for diagnosing MDD. An interrupted time-series analysis was performed using the data from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020. Furthermore, changes in RSVs, according to the intensity of the social distancing measures implemented from January 1 to December 31, 2020, were determined using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results: Of the 16 terms, the search trends of 'feeling guilty' (P< 0.001) and 'wanting to die' (P = 0.002) showed a significant increase as of February 29, 2020, when the social distancing measures were officially implemented. Additionally, the average search volumes for 'hopelessness' (P = 0.003), 'sexual desire' (P < 0.001), 'insomnia' (P = 0.002), 'hypersomnia' (P < 0.001), 'restlessness' (P < 0.001), and 'feeling lethargic' (P< 0.001) increased significantly. Moreover, gender analysis showed that the average search volume of 'depressed mood' (P = 0.033) and the trend of 'impaired concentration' (P< 0.001) increased in males only. However, the average search volume of 'feeling lethargic' (P = 0.001) and the trend of 'feeling guilty' (P = 0.001) increased in females only. The average search volumes for 'depressed mood' (P< 0.001), 'impaired concentration' (P = 0.038), and 'indecisiveness' (P< 0.001) were significantly higher during the enforcement of level 2 or higher social distancing measures. Conclusion: Our results reported the negative effect of COVID-19 preventive measures on public mental health in South Korea, especially for MDD symptoms. Moreover, the findings suggested the utility of Naver Trends as a feasible big data source to assess future mental health crises.
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