The First Wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic and its Impact on Socioeconomic Inequality in Psychological Distress in the UK

We use data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) to compare measures of socioeconomic inequality in psychological distress, measured by General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), before (Waves 9 and Interim 2019 Wave) during first wave COVID-19 pandemic (April July 2020). Based on a caseness measure, prevalence distress increased 18.5% 27.7% between Wave April 2020 with some reversion earlier levels subsequent months. Also, there was systematic increase total Likert GHQ-12 score. However, relative have not increased. A Shapley-Shorrocks decomposition analysis shows that peak 2020) other factors declined their share inequality, while age gender account for larger share. The most notable is evident younger women. contribution working an industry related response played small role at Wave, but more than tripled its 2020. As progressed, demographics level chronic health conditions, housing neighbourhood characteristics contributions inequality.