Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment (May 2021)
Psychological Impact of COVID-19, Isolation, and Quarantine: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Ghufran Jassim,1 Mariam Jameel,2 Edwina Brennan,3 Manaf Yusuf,3 Nebras Hasan,3 Yusuf Alwatani4 1Family Medicine Department, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland — Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain), Busaiteen, Bahrain; 2Department of Medicine, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain; 3RCSI, Busaiteen, Bahrain; 4Psychiatry Department, Serene Psychiatry Hospital, Manama, BahrainCorrespondence: Ghufran JassimFamily Medicine Department, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland — Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain), PO Box 15503, Adliya-Bahrain, Busaiteen, BahrainTel +973 39-680-009Email [email protected]: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in mandatory isolation and quarantine. The objective of this study was to describe and compare the psychological impacts of COVID-19 isolation and quarantine.Methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective study. Participants were Bahrainis aged > 18 years who had undergone either isolation or quarantine. Eligible participants were identified from the COVID-19 contacts (quarantine) and cases (isolation) database of Bahrain. Validated questionnaires for self-reported depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies — depression [CES-D]), posttraumatic stress (Impact of Event Scale — revised [IES-R]), and perceived stigma (Stigma Scale [SS]) were administered.Results: Mean CES-D, IES-R, and SS scores were 16.76± 5.65, 13.50± 14.67, and 25.29± 7.99, respectively. In sum, 40% (205 of 502) of participants showed clinically significant depression, and < 20% (98 of 502) had indications of some posttraumatic distress, with greater depression and distress in those isolated than those quarantined. Perceived stigma was reported by 53.4% (268 of 502) of participants, more prominent among those quarantined. Depression and posttraumatic stress scores were significantly higher in females, college students, those with a history of mental health conditions, knowing a COVID-19 fatality, and experiencing social conflict. Age was a significant variable correlated with all three scales, with younger participants indicating more distress, depression, and stigma. Duration of segregation was significantly correlated with CES-D, score showing more depressive symptoms as the duration of isolation increased. Significant predictors were age, sex, history of mental illness, and COVID-19 status.Conclusion: Isolated and quarantined individuals reported depression, perceived stigma, and to a lesser extent distress. Psychological interventions identifying and targeting people with different-severity psychological burdens are in urgent need.Keywords: COVID-19, psychological impact, isolation, quarantine, Bahrain
