Depression, anxiety, and stress among private shopkeepers after COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study from Mohali, India.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic affected almost all sections of society. The economy of the country collapsed and it affected the economic situation of the common man. Private shopkeepers also suffered as they could not open their shops. The current study was an effort to assess the psychological status of these people.

Aim: To assess depression, anxiety, and stress levels among private shopkeepers in Mohali after the COVID-19 pandemic who were previously mentally healthy.

Materials and methods: This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 consenting private shopkeepers from 10 different topographically scattered markets of Mohali. Written informed consent was obtained. Ethical clearance was sorted by the institutional ethics committee. Sociodemographic data were recorded on sociodemographic proforma. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale -21 (DASS-21) was employed to assess depression, anxiety, and stress. The data obtained was statistically analyzed.

Results: A total of 34.2% of shopkeepers had depression, 31.4% had anxiety, and 44.80% had stress. Out of which street vendors had more depression (6.60%), anxiety (6.80%), and stress (7.40%) compared to other shopkeepers. Depression (36.07%), anxiety (32.61%), and stress (46.87%) were comparatively more among shopkeepers who had incurred financial loss compared to those who had received gain. Shopkeepers who had their shops closed were suffering from depression (35.42%), anxiety (33.26%), and stress (46.65%) comparatively more than individuals who had their shops open. A total of 59.75%, 51.57%, and 72.96% of shopkeepers whose products expired during the pandemic were suffering from depression, anxiety, and stress respectively.

Conclusion: Depression, anxiety, and stress are high in private shopkeepers after the pandemic. Mental health services should be more accessible, affordable, and available during a pandemic and its aftermath. The economy of the country should be strengthened after the pandemic keeping in interest the economic needs of the common man.