COVID-19 Impacts Mental Health Outcomes and Ability/Desire to Participate in Research Among Current Research Participants.

OBJECTIVE: Examine COVID-19 impact on current research participants' mental health outcomes, ability to adhere to behavioral intervention recommendations, and desire to participate in research. METHODS: Quantitative/qualitative cross-sectional survey among adults currently enrolled in health-related research (n=250; 85% women; >50% currently enrolled in behavioral weight loss intervention). RESULTS: COVID-19 is perceived as a severe threat by most (62.3%). Related to COVID-19, 29.6% of participants reported moderate/severe symptoms of anxiety/depression and 68.4% reported moderate/severe PTSD symptomatology, with women more likely to demonstrate moderate/severe anxiety/depression (p=0.047) and PTSD symptomatology (p=0.028) relative to men. Those with moderate/severe levels of anxiety/depression (p=0.0154) and distress (p=0.0330) were more likely to report decreased desire to participate in research. Among those in behavioral interventions, individuals perceiving COVID-19 as a moderate/severe threat or experiencing moderate/severe depression or PTSD symptomatology were 4-19 times more likely to report COVID-19 affected their ability to adhere to behavioral recommendations. Qualitative analysis identified four themes describing COVID-19 impact on research experiences: transition; remote intervention delivery; ability to adhere to program goals; research participation interest. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest participants engaged in health-related research perceive COVID-19 as a significant threat, affecting mental health, desire to participate in research, and ability to adhere to intervention recommendations.