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Who were Psychologically more Vulnerable During COVID-19? Examining the Patterns of Psychological Feelings and Risk Behaviors in Abu Dhabi

Masood Badri, Mugheer Alkhaili, Hamad Aldhaheri, Guang Yang, Muna Albahar, Asma Alrashdi, Layla Alhyas

The present study aims to understand the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and physical health behaviors of people in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi residents were approached to fill a survey about how COVID-19 had impacted their lives during May and June 2020, when they were experiencing social distancing and isolation measures for the first time. A total of 36,842 responded to the survey, representing a diverse range of demographical, ethnical, and professional backgrounds. Descriptive analysis and analysis of variance were used to capture the differences of ten categories of psychological feelings and risky health behaviors among different categories of respondents. The results indicated that females recorded significantly higher means for all ten mental and associated physical health variables, while those who are single and separated recorded the highest means for most negative psychological feelings and behaviors. Significant differences were also observed across age categories, except for fear. The illiterates and those have a below secondary school education recorded the highest mean values for those mental health variables. The same was true for the unemployed and homemakers. Emiratis and those living with elderly showed the most significant psychological concerns and challenges. The study provides some recommendations for policy-makers while elaborating on future research directions.