Background. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to measures that
reduced social contact and support. We explored whether UK residents with more frequent
or supportive social contact had fewer depressive symptoms during March−August 2020,
and potential factors moderating the relationship.
Methods. A convenience sample of UK dwelling participants aged ⩾18 in the internet-based
longitudinal COVID-19 Social Study completed up to 22 weekly questionnaires about face-toface and phone/video social contact frequency, perceived social support, and depressive symptoms using the PHQ-9. Mixed linear models examined associations between social contact
and support, and depressive symptoms. We examined for interaction by empathic concern,
perspective taking and pre-COVID social contact frequency.
Results. In 71 117 people with mean age 49 years (standard deviation 15), those with high
perceived social support scored 1.836 (1.801–1.871) points lower on PHQ-9 than those
with low support. Daily face-to-face or phone/video contact was associated with lower depressive symptoms (0.258 (95% confidence interval 0.225–0.290) and 0.117 (0.080–0.154),
respectively) compared to no contact. The negative association between social relationships
and depressive symptoms was stronger for those with high empathic concern, perspective
taking and usual sociability.
Conclusions. We found during lockdown that those with higher quality or more face-to-face
or phone/video contact had fewer depressive symptoms. Contact quality was more strongly
associated than quantity. People who were usually more sociable or had higher empathy
had more depressive symptoms during enforced reduced contact. The results have implications for COVID-19 and potential future pandemic management, and for understanding
the relationship between social factors and mental health