Background: The enduring psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to affect individuals long after the immediate health concerns have subsided. This research aims to identify specific groups within the Romanian population who are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health challenges that can interfere with everyday life and may lead to more serious mental health disorders.
Methods: Conducted as a cross-sectional survey, this study assessed the severity of psychological distress using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire in relation to COVID-19-related information and socio-demographic data to investigate the factors associated with psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania.