Purpose With the rapid spread of COVID-19 and the restrictions imposed in many parts of the world, there is growing concern about its impact on mental health. This longitudinal study investigated the social participation, social inclusion and psychological well-being in adults with and without mental disorders before the beginning of the pandemic, as well as during and after strict lockdown restrictions in Germany. Methods The sample (n = 106) consisted of three groups: participants with a chronic mental disorder, with an acute mental disorder, and without a mental disorder at the time of the initial survey. Parameters of interest were assessed using the Measure of Participation and Social Inclusion for Use in People with a Chronic Mental Disorder (F-INK), the Index for the Assessment of Health Impairments (IMET) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18). Results The perceived impairments in social participation and the associated changes in behaviour varied depending on the presence of a mental disorder at the time of the initial survey and were largely temporary, i.e. limited to the period of strict lockdown restrictions. We found no further detrimental effects on mental health 4 weeks after lockdown or later, when a policy of physical distancing was in place. Conclusion Overall, our findings suggest a general resilience to the official restrictions and measures as well as the pandemic itself. However, further efforts are needed to improve the situation of people with chronic mental disorders and their limited opportunities for social participation.
Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie Untersuchung der Auswirkungen der Coronapandemie und der in diesem Zusammenhang ausgesprochenen Ausgangsbeschränkungen auf Teilhabemöglichkeiten, Partizipation, Inklusionserleben und psychisches Befinden bei Personen, die sich mit Blick auf das Vorliegen einer akuten oder chronischen psychischen Störung unterschiedlichen Gruppen zuordnen lassen. Methodik Follow-up-Erhebung mittels Fragebogen zur Erfassung von Partizipation und sozialer Inklusion (F-INK), Index zur Messung von Einschränkungen der Teilhabe (IMET) und BSI-18 (n = 132). Ergebnisse In Abhängigkeit vom Vorliegen einer akuten oder chronischen psychischen Störung waren die Studienteilnehmer in ihren Teilhabemöglichkeiten sehr unterschiedlich betroffen. In keiner der untersuchten Gruppen kam es zu einem Anstieg psychischer Beschwerden. Schlussfolgerung Es fand sich kein Hinweis dafür, dass es zu Beginn der Coronapandemie und im Zusammenhang mit einer vierwöchigen Ausgangsbeschränkung zu negativen psychischen Folgen kam.
Objectives: In Germany, as in many other countries, several lockdown restrictions were put in place with the aim of curbing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections. This study investigated the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the related lockdown restrictions on opportunities for social participation, social inclusion and psychological well-being for adults with and without mental disorders within a follow-up study based on pre- and post-lockdown assessments. Methods: Study participants (n=132) were assigned to one of three groups, depending on the mental health status at the initial survey. Parameters of interest were assessed using the Measure of Participation and Social Inclusion for Use in People with a Chronic Mental Disorder (F-INK), the Index for the Assessment of Health Impairments (IMET), and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18).Results: The impact on opportunities for social participation and social participation considerably differed depending on the participants’ mental health status at the first assessment. Independent of this, we found no detrimental effects on the psychological well-being of participants four weeks after the implementation of lockdown restrictions.Conclusion: Findings imply a general resilience in well-being during the preliminary stages of the coronavirus pandemic. This result adds to the growing number of existing studies which show a heterogeneous pattern overall and especially in international comparison. Further follow-up studies with larger samples should address the divergent effects. Besides, efforts are needed to improve social participation and inclusion opportunities that are severely impaired for individuals with chronic mental disorders regardless of lockdown or physical distancing restrictions.
Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie Untersuchung zu den Auswirkungen der Corona-Pandemie auf Partizipation, Inklusionserleben und psychisches Befinden bei Personen, die sich mit Blick auf das Vorliegen einer akuten oder chronischen psychischen Störung unterschiedlichen Gruppen zuordnen lassen. Methodik Follow-up-Erhebung mit Prätest vor Beginn der Corona-Pandemie und 2 Nacherhebungen während bestehender Ausgangsbeschränkungen im April 2020 sowie im November 2020 mittels Fragebogen zur Erfassung von Partizipation und sozialer Inklusion (F-INK) und Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18) zur Erfassung subjektiv erlebter psychischer Belastung (n = 112). Ergebnisse In keiner der untersuchten Gruppen fand sich ein Hinweis dafür, dass es in den ersten 4 Wochen der im November 2020 geltenden Ausgangsbeschränkungen im Vergleich zu den Vorerhebungen zu negativen psychischen Folgen kam. Schlussfolgerung Das Ergebnis reiht sich in die Studien ein, die fanden, dass die Bevölkerung in den ersten Monaten der Pandemie im Durchschnitt resilient war.
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