How mentally healthy we are during the pandemic? Findings from changed travel behavior

BACKGROUND: Many people changed their travel behavior during the coronavirus pandemic with more telecommuting, fewer trip frequencies, and less use of transit and ride-hailing to avoid infection. The lack of outdoor activities may result in social isolation and then trigger anxiety or depressive symptoms. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: This study examines the relationship between anxiety and depression, and correlates various sociodemographic, income, job status, health-related factors, and travel behavior changes in six large U.S. cities. DATA: U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey Phases 3.0 and 3.1 are employed. METHOD: GAD-2 and PHQ-2 are used to screen the scores of anxiety and depression. The synthetic minority oversampling technique is applied to correct sample distribution. The multivariate mixed model is employed to examine relationships. RESULTS: (1) Anxiety and depression are positively correlated, and the percentage of high anxiety is greater than the percentage of high depression. (2) The levels of anxiety and depression significantly vary across the six cities. (3) Women, young, singles, and white people have higher levels of anxiety and depression during the pandemic. (4) People who are willing to receive vaccination tend to have higher levels of anxiety and depression. (5) The prevalence of depressive disorders is significantly lower in the high-income group. (6) People who applied for unemployment insurance and experienced expense difficulties are more likely to suffer high levels of anxiety and depression. (7) Travel behavior changes, measured by increased telecommuting, reduced trip frequency, and reduced use of transit and ride-hailing, all suggest positive correlations with anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: More assistance and attention should be given to women, singles, and low-income households to reduce the prevalence of mental stress in vulnerable groups. Telecommuting can be but need to work with other travel demand management strategies. Travel and outdoor activities should be promoted under the new normal.