The influence of social network on depressive and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from a Swedish cohort study

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the associations between components of social networks and depressive and anxiety symptoms over 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden. Specifically, we aimed to explore how social networks influence mental health outcomes during the pandemic, and how these relationships change over time. Methods Data from the Omtanke2020 study, a prospective cohort study of Swedish adults, were analyzed using structural equation modeling (N = 10,918). Surveys administered at baseline, six-month follow-up, and one-year follow-up collected information on social network variables and mental health (i.e., depressive and anxiety symptoms). Dynamic structural equation modeling (DSEM), adjusted for relevant covariates, was used to observe changes in the associations between social networks and mental health over time. Results Stronger perceived social support, specifically closeness to family, perceived warmth or love from others, and increased societal cohesion, were consistently negatively correlated with depressive and anxiety symptoms across all time points (β magnitude range = -0.14 – -0.23, all p ’s < 0.001). While the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms decreased over the study period, social network variables remained stable predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Adjusted DSEM revealed weaker correlations between social network and mental health symptoms at baseline (β = -0.17, p  < 0.001), compared to social network and mental health symptoms at the one-year follow-up (β = -0.21, p  < 0.001). Conclusion This study supports the beneficial role of perceived social support in mitigating depressive and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. It underscores the importance of fostering strong social networks, especially in times of crisis, and suggests the most important elements of social support to be incorporated into future interventions.