Social Isolation in COVID-19: Impact on Mental Health of Young Adults

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is profoundly affecting life around the globe. Social Isolation, contact restrictions and economic shutdown impose a complete change to the psychosocial environment threatening the mental health of young adults significantly. Objectives: The present study aims to assess the impact of Social Isolation on the mental health of young adults during the pandemic. Methods: A web based research was conducted on a sample of 438 college students of age 18-24 years. The participants were asked for responding to a standardized online questionnaire that included questions related to their anxiety levels and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Results: The results revealed 78.4% of the study populations were suffering with mild (35.2%), moderate (23.7%), and severe anxiety (19.4%) respectively. Univariate and Logistic Regression Analysis revealed gender and course/year of study had a significant effect on the level of anxiety (p<0.05). Also, students living alone and having a relative or an acquaintance infected with COVID-19 were likely to be more anxious (p < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis depicted Social Isolation as the main Covid-19 related stressor which was positively correlated and highly significant (p=0.0001) to the level of anxiety of young adults. Conclusions: The present study revealed approximately 43% of young adults is suffering from moderate to severe anxiety levels which require urgent attention.