The dynamics of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia

The COVID-19 pandemic may bear serious consequences for mental health, such as the increase in psychopathological symptoms, including suicidal ideation and autoaggressive actions. In our study, depressive symptoms and suicidality were viewed as two separate characteristics, which, during the pandemic, may be influenced by different factors. Study objective : analysis of the increase in depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia. Materials and methods. The materials for the study were the data from an anonymous internet survey, conducted during the period of March, 22 - June, 22, 2020. The survey included information on sociodemographic indicators and questions on how respondents assess their conditions during the pandemic; there was also a question on whether they were recently bothered by the thoughts of killing themselves. The following questionnaires were used: Symptom Check List 90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and the COPE Inventory. Statistical processing was performed with the SPSS program. Results: Nine hundred eight responses were received. The analysis showed a statistically significant positive correlation between the intensity of suicidal thoughts and severity of depressive symptoms according to the SCL-90-R (Spearman’s coefficient 0.45;