Cohort profile: Cardiovascular Metabolic Etiological Research Center COVID-19 Mental Health Survey (CC-MHS)

Abstract

The Cardiovascular Metabolic Etiological Research Center COVID-19 Mental Health Survey (CC-MHS) is a comprehensive longitudinal cohort study investigating the mental health impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic by utilizing pre-existing baseline data from the Cardiovascular Metabolic Etiological Research Center cohort (2013-2018). This study assesses physical health, lifestyle changes, and mental health using validated tools, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, and evaluates a population of urban and suburban Korean participants across multiple dimensions. Through online surveys, the research identified gender-specific social support mechanisms, showing that men benefit from larger social networks, whereas women derive protective effects from stronger emotional connections. Key findings underscore complex interactions among demographic factors, psychological variables, and public health responses, especially in the context of vaccination attitudes and trust in pandemic management. The CC-MHS delivers critical insights into mental health trajectories during global health crises, offering valuable evidence for developing adaptive public health strategies and for understanding the intricate relationships between individual psychological resilience and broader societal health challenges.