Frontiers in Psychiatry (May 2021)

Perceived Stress of Quarantine and Isolation During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Global Survey

  • TMGH-Global COVID-19 Collaborative,
  • Nguyen Tien Huy,
  • Nguyen Tran Minh Duc,
  • Shamael Thabit Mohammed Alhady,
  • Luu Ngoc Mai,
  • Amr K. Hassan,
  • Tran Van Giang,
  • Le Van Truong,
  • Rohanti Ravikulan,
  • Akshay Raut,
  • Farouq Muhammad Dayyab,
  • Shyam Prakash Durme,
  • Vu Thi Thu Trang,
  • Le Quang Loc,
  • Pham Ngoc Thach

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.656664
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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Aims: Understanding of the perceived stress and coping strategies adopted by people is important for contemplating the consequences of a pandemic on mental health of people globally. In this study, we intended to assess the perceived stress status under quarantine/isolation globally during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This is a multicentre, multinational cross-sectional study that recruited isolated/quarantined individuals suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 to assess the psychological impact of the quarantine/isolation experience by answering a survey distributed online.Results: The study was conducted across 63 participating countries, gaining 1,871 valid responses. There was a higher proportion of female participants in the Moderate to High Perceived Stress Scores (MH-PSS) group compared to the Low Perceived Stress Score group (66.0 vs. 52.0%) and a higher proportion of individuals whose marital status was single had MH-PSS (57.1%). Also, individual's religion (Christian, Hindu, and Muslim), no formal education level, being exposed to a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patient, being forced to be quarantined/isolated, uncomfortable feeling during quarantine period may significantly increase the risk of MH-PSS (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Many factors can predict stress in COVID-19 pandemic including female sex, being single, religion, no formal education, involuntary quarantine, location and reason of quarantine/isolation, and place of exposure.

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