Loneliness, Social Anxiety, and Depression During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Global Longitudinal Study Examining Social Restrictions Severity and Demographic Differences

Background: Social restrictions and government-mandated lockdowns implemented worldwide to curb the SARS-CoV-2 virus disrupt our social interactions, behaviours, and routines. While many studies have examined how the pandemic has influenced feelings of loneliness and poor mental health, such as depression and anxiety, few have focused on social anxiety symptomatology. Methods: We collected data on loneliness, social anxiety, depression, and social restrictions severity across three timepoints in the first six months of the pandemic, in 2665 participants across 121 countries. We later restricted our analyses to Australia, United States, and United Kingdom (n = 1562) to code from reliable sources of objective social restriction data. Longitudinal data were analysed using a multivariate latent growth curve model. Findings: Loneliness reduced, depression remained unchanged, and social anxiety symptoms increased as social restrictions severity eased in the first six months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Consistent with previous research, specific demographic factors (e.g., younger age, unemployment, lower wealth, and living alone) all influenced loneliness, depression, and social anxiety at the onset of the pandemic. No demographic factors influenced changes in levels over time for loneliness or depression, but being younger and being unemployed influenced change in levels over time for social anxiety. Loneliness, social anxiety, and depressive symptoms were highly related, but the course of social anxiety symptoms differed from loneliness and depression- those higher in social anxiety at baseline also increased in social anxiety quicker over time. Interpretation: Social anxiety remains an overlooked mental health symptom in SARS-CoV-2 pandemic research. Frontline practitioners may see increased social anxiety and avoidance even as social restrictions ease. Service delivery providers should focus on vulnerable groups, including those aged 18 to 25 years, unemployed, and with lower wealth, during this public health crisis. Funding: None to declare. Declaration of Interest: None to declare. Ethical Approval: Ethics approval was granted by Swinburne University Human Research Ethics Committee.