Impact of Covid-19 outbreak on psychological health–The case of Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: The outbreak of COVID-19, a profoundly contagious disease has unnerved the world in a calamitous manner from diverse aspects. The present study ventures to expand the literature by exploring loneliness, social isolation, risk perception, financial distress, and psychological distress amidst the lockdown phase of the general population of Bangladesh. Methods: Through an online survey among 474 respondents (between April 17th and April 23rd, 2020), data were collected from the Bangladeshi residents (21 years or above). Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Warp-PLS. Results: Findings suggest a strong positive correlation among the factors and social isolation, risk perception, financial distress are manifested as the predictors of psychological distress. Besides, females, aged people, and lower-income group are found to be more psychologically distressed. Conclusion: This study yields new insights into the psychological facets of a lower-middle-income earning country, Bangladesh.

Keywords

• Psychological distress
• Loneliness
• Social isolation
• Risk perception
• Financial distress