The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to higher levels of depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, and psychological trauma among American adults, according to 3 new studies published by sociologists at the University of Arkansas. Researchers surveyed 10,368 adults from across the country to better understand the sociological and psychological effects of the pandemic. All 3 studies are part of an initial push to understand the sociological impacts of COVID-19. Although there were many findings, fear was the common denominator, according to the study.

“Fear is a pretty consistent predictor,” said first author Kevin Fitzpatrick, PhD, in a statement. “What we found is that fear, coupled with a range of social vulnerabilities, consistently and significantly predict a range of mental health outcomes. Additionally, as originally hypothesized, it appears as though individual fear is higher in those places where there is a higher concentration of confirmed COVID-19 cases and/or a higher death rate.”

Research Finds Increased Levels of Suicidal Thoughts, Psychological Trauma During COVID-19 Pandemic