Publications

Thanks to our 2,300 participants, we have been busy analysing the data from the first survey (April-July 2020) and second surveys (October-January 2021) and rapidly sharing the information through various outlets. Click to read more, or get in touch if you want to share your experience! This list is constantly being updated.

20 Sept 2021 I’m alone but not lonely. U-shaped pattern of self-perceived loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK and Greece

Mr Alessandro Carollo (@carolloale97), PhD Candidate, University of Trento
Mr Andrea Bizzego, PhD Candidate, University of Trento
Mr Giulio Gabrieli, PhD Candidate, University of Trento
Dr Keri Wong, Assistant Professor, University College London
Prof Adrian Raine, Richard Perry University Professor, Departments of Criminology, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
Prof Gianluca Esposito, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento (Italy) & Nanyang Technogical University (Singapore)

To inform policies involving lockdown restrictions, this study adopted a data-driven Machine Learning approach to uncover the short-term time-related effects of lockdown on people’s physical and mental health.
20 Sept 2021 [Preprint] A three-wave network analysis of COVID-19’s impact on schizotypal traits, paranoia and mental health through loneliness

Dr Keri Wong, Assistant Professor in Psychology in the Department of Psychology and Human Development at UCL IOE
Dr Yi Wang, Associate Professor, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Science
Professor Gianluca Esposito, Associate Professor, University of Trento Italy & Nanyang Technological University Singapore
Professor Adrian Raine, Departments of Criminology, Psychology, & Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania

This study tests to what extent higher levels of psychotic-like experiences – indexed by schizotypal traits and paranoia – are associated with various mental health variables 6- and 12-months since April 2020.
08 Sept 2021 [Preprint] Child Externalizing and Internalizing Behavior and Parental Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr Keri Wong, Assistant Professor in Psychology in the Department of Psychology and Human Development at UCL IOE
Dr Jill Portnoy, Assistant Professor, School of Criminology and Justice Studies, University of Massachusetts Lowell
AnaCristina Bedoya, PHD student, School of Criminology and Justice Studies, University of Massachusetts Lowell

In this study we surveyed families’ experiences with parental depression, stress, relationship conflict, and child behavioral issues during six months of the COVID-19 pandemic through the COVID-19: Global Social Trust and Mental Health Study.
03 Sept 2021 [Poster] Global Covid Study Webinar Report

Dr Keri Wong, Assistant Professor in Psychology in the Department of Psychology and Human Development at UCL IOE

This document summarises the UCL-Penn Global Covid Study summer webinar series including key take home messages and recommendations.
02 July 2021 [UK Parliament] COVID-19 vaccine coverage and targeted interventions to improve vaccination uptake

Study findings on vaccine hesitancy being featured on UK Parliament Office for Science and Technology (POST).
09 June 2021 [Cambridge China Education Forum] The conversation we need to have now: Education, Resilience & Mental Health

Dr Keri Wong, Assistant Professor in Psychology in the Department of Psychology and Human Development at UCL IOE

Dr Keri Wong shares findings the UCL-Penn Global Covid Study that speak to the impacts of multiple lockdowns on people’s physical and mental health and highlight a few key issues that are particularly pertinent now to rebuild back a stronger and more equal education system and society.
13 April 2021 [UK Government Inquiry] Written evidence featuring findings from the COVID study given by the team on ‘Children and Young People’s Mental Health’.

Dr Keri Wong & Dr Emily Midouhas
et al., at the UCL Institute of Education.
February 2021 [Article] Inquire Publication, ‘Why the COVID-19 Vaccine is Vital — Not Frightening’
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Megan Moutsatsos, Queens University
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The article ‘Why the COVID-19 Vaccine is Vital — Not Frightening” refers to research findings from the UCL-Penn Global Covid Study.
December 2020 [News, Hong Kong] ChinaDaily, News article ‘Striking a chord of empathy’

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Wang Yuke
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The article ‘Striking a chord of empathy” includes a brief interview with Dr Keri Wong on the impacts of Covid-19 on youth’s empathy and compassion for supporting others in the local communities.
November 2020 [Singapore] Virtual Scientific Meeting 2020: Behavioural Health in Extraordinary, Unprecedented Times (Singapore, Nov 2020)

Mr Alessandro Carollo (@carolloale97), PhD Candidate, University of Trento
Mr Andrea Bizzego, PhD Candidate, University of Trento
Mr Giulio Gabrieli, PhD Candidate, University of Trento
Dr Keri Wong, Assistant Professor, University College London
Prof Adrian Raine, Richard Perry University Professor, Departments of Criminology, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
Prof Gianluca Esposito, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento (Italy) & Nanyang Technogical University (Singapore)
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Research paper submission on using Machine Learning to predict lockdown (April-July 2020) effects on mental health during COVID-19.

17-19 July 2020 [London] The 9th European Education Conference 2020 – Panel Presentation

Dr Jake Anders, University College London, Institute of Education, United Kingdom
Dr Jo Van Herwegen, University College London, United Kingdom
Dr Andrea Samson, University of Fribourg & Swiss Distance University Institute
(Unidistance), Switzerland
Dr Keri Wong, University College London, Institute of Education, United Kingdom
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COVID-19 is not just a global health crisis, it also has numerous social and psychological repercussions. This panel discussion will focus on the impact of COVID-19 on children and young people across the world, in terms of their education and wellbeing. What have been the main difficulties for children and young people across the globe? Are there any differences between nations or regions in the world? What is the impact of COVID-19 on the education and wellbeing of children and young people across the world and are certain groups, such as those with special educational needs and from low-income backgrounds, at greater risk?
6 June 2020 [London] UCL IOE Blog

By Keri Wong
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UCL IOE blog post reporting findings from the Global COVID study on individual’s perceptions of social distancing measures, face mask usage in the community, and common sources of stress.
May 2020 [Opinion, UK] The Focus, an online news platform raising money for the NHS.

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Catherine Godbold (@CatherineGbold)
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Opinion piece ‘Will babies be affected by life under lockdown?’ incluces a brief interview with Keri Wong on the impacts of covid on young families and parents.
Aug 6 [Brown, Brainy & Beautiful] S1 | Ep. 4: Mental Health impacted by COVID-19

Dr Keri Wong, Assistant Professor in Psychology in the Department of Psychology and Human Development at UCL IOE

Dr Keri Wong discusses the effects of COVID-19 on mental health.
June 2021 [London] Coronavirus: The Whole Story – Are we already experiencing a third wave?

Dr Keri Wong, Assistant Professor in Psychology in the Department of Psychology and Human Development at UCL IOE
Professor Francois Balloux, Chair in Computational Systems Biology and Chair of the UCL Genetics Institute

Dr Keri Wong discusses the mental and physical impact of lockdown extension and shares the latest findings from the UCL-Penn Global Covid Study.
20 April 2021 [Schizophrenia International Research Society Conference, Virtual]

Dr Keri Wong presents our latest study findings at the schizophrenia conference using two-waves of data collected from the COVID study. She shows that stress brought about by COVID is indeed correlated with high levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, which in turn is related to poor sleep. Taking into account all mental health indicators assessed in the study, loneliness is a key influential factor that is strongly related to feelings of depression and mistrust/paranoia when everything else is controlled for in the ‘network’ (Figure 1. above).

Special thanks to Ms Kyleigh Melvile for the amazing graphics on the poster.

You can listen to a 3-minute summary of the findings below.
3-minute pre-recorded summary of the poster findings above presented at the SIRS Congress 2021.
17 July 2020 [London] Warwick Philosophy, Politics and Economics Society – PPE Unfiltered

Dr Maria Kambouri, Associate Professor in Psychology and Human Development at the UCL Institute of Education

Dr Maria Kambouri discusses the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of students, based on data from the Covid 19 Global Health and Social Trust study, carried out by (fellow IOE colleague) Assistant Professor Keri Wong and team.
9 February 2020 [Online Lunchtime Research Seminar Series]. Department of Psychology & Human Developmen, UCL IOE on “Lockdown 3.0: Findings from the UCL-Penn Global COVID Mental Health Study”.

Chair: Dr Andrew Holliman
Speaker: Dr Keri Wong

The impact of COVID-19 on mental health continues to be felt around the world even as vaccine rollouts begin to show early signs of success. In this talk, I will present two waves of data the UCL-Penn Global COVID study collected between April to July 2020 and October 2020 to January 2021. I will give an overview of the study variables and present on several key findings to date. I will discuss the changes to people’s psychological wellbeing from lockdown 1 and subsequent lockdowns, reasons for vaccine hesitancy, levels of social (mis)trust in others, and on-going analyses from the team. Moving beyond the UK perspective, I would like to invite colleagues to join the conversation on the short- and longer-term impacts of COVID-19 on mental health, education, and policy as we consider the findings across various countries. To learn more about the study, please visit http://www.GlobalCOVIDStudy.com.
3 December 2020 [Online Webinar]. Wharton Alumni Club x Penn Club UK on ”Lessons from Lockdown: Findings from the UCL-Penn Global COVID Mental Health Study.

Join us for a panel discussion with Dr. Keri Wong. Assistant Professor of Psychology at UCL. Keri will discuss her recent findings from the UCL-Penn Global Covid-19 Mental Health Study (www.GlobalCOVIDstudy.com).

Topics of discussion:
In this panel discussion, Tim Hall, a Wharton grad asks Keri a series of questions about her UCL-Penn Global COVID study which is currently in its second wave of data collection. They discuss the origins of the timely project, the impact of COVID on mental health across the ages, types of stressors and how they have changed during lockdown, how countries differ in lockdown policies and how people’s adherence to guidelines differ, and how best to cope, and whether mental health should be a priority at the workplace. The discussion flows into a Q&A session from audience members as well. Have questions and want to get in touch, please email contact@globalcovidstudy.com or follow our conversations @GlobalC19Study on Twitter.
The UCL-Penn Global Covid Study Team would like to thank all 2,300 study participants for taking part in our first survey launched on 17 April 2020. We have since published our findings on various media outlets that continue to inform policy, government decisions, and our scientific community – you can read more by checking out our website (www.globalcovidstudy.com) and our specific research questions as well. We hope you will continue to support us by completing our follow-up survey, and by inviting your family/friends to join us on this wave of inquiry! If you would like to share your experiences with us, ask us specific questions, please get in touch (contact@globalcovidstudy.com). We’d love to hear from you! On behalf of the UCL-Penn Global Covid Study Team, THANK YOU! – Dr Keri Wong, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology & Human Development, University College London, UK
October 2020 [London] British Psychological Society (BPS) Developmental Section Article

Ms Jana Brinkert (@JanaBrinkert), PhD student at the Centre for Autism and Research in Education, UCL IOE
Ms Theodora Kokosi (@dora_kokosi), PhD student at CUBIC Lab, UCL IOE
Mr Vassilis Sideropolulos (@VassilisSide), Research Tech at the Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL IOE
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BPS article reports on doctoral student’s experience of the pandemic fairing worse than other groupsand the common challenges for this group. These include Adjustments to academic work to suit the new circumstances, Personal impact on isolation and working from home, and Feelings around financial struggle and uncertainty about the future.

CALLS FOR: Better support for doctoral students’ mental wellbeing during the pandemic and after.
17 July 2020 [London] University College London IOE Podcast – Research in the Real World.

Dr Keri Wong
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Dr Humera Iqbal interviews Keri Wong on her research on childhood mistrust/mental health, the importance of the Global COVID study and how this impacts educators and students during this these unprecedented times.
May 2020 [London] Centre for Educational Neuroscience, UCL

Dr Jessica Massonnie
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Jessica interviews Keri on how the Global COVID Study started, why it is important, and what we can learn about the impacts of COVID on people’s mental health by collecting data now.
10 May 2020 [London] Open Science Framework

UCL-Penn Global COVID Study Team
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Our research project has been pre-registered. All research study hypotheses and details are Open Access and can be found here: https://osf.io/fe8q7/ .

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