Biobehavioral aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives This review highlights the scope and significance of the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on biobehavioral aspects, as well as critical avenues for research.

Methods A narrative review of the published research literature was undertaken, highlighting major empirical findings emerging during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results Interactions among biological, behavioral and societal processes are prominent across all regions of the globe during the first year of the COVID-19 emergency. Affective, cognitive, behavioral, socioeconomic and technological factors all play a significant role in the spread of infection, response precautions, and outcomes of mitigation measures. Affective disorders, suicidality and cognitive dysfunction have been widely reported consequences of both the infection, economic impact and the necessary public health mitigation measures themselves. The impact of COVID-19 may be especially serious for those living with severe mental illness and/or chronic medical diseases, given the confluence of several adverse factors in a manner that appears to have syndemic potential.

Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear that biological and behavioral factors interact with societal processes in the infectious disease context. Empirical research examining mechanistic pathways from infection, loss, and recovery to immunological, behavioral and emotional outcomes is critical. Examination of emotional and behavioral factors is critical to ongoing management of the current pandemic, as well as future major threats to global health.