Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in COVID-19 Isolated Patients and in Their Relatives

Abstract

Background: While focusing on the management and care of COVID-19 patients, the mental health of these patients and their relatives is being overlooked. The aim of the current study was to measure anxiety and depression, and to assess their association with socio-demographic and pandemic-related stress factors in COVID-19 patients and their relatives during the initial stage of hospitalization. Methods: We assessed isolated hospitalized patients (N = 90) and their relatives (adults and children, N = 125) by phone, 25-72 h following patients' admission. The quantitative measures included the Anxiety and Depression modules of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and pandemic-related stress factors. Qualitative measures included questions exploring worries, sadness, and coping modes. Results: Both patients and relatives suffer from high levels of anxiety and related pandemic worries, with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Compared to adult relatives, child relatives reported significantly lower anxiety. The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed an increased risk for anxiety among females and a decreased risk among ultra-orthodox participants. While increased anxiety among patients was associated with feelings of isolation, increased anxiety among relatives was associated with a feeling of not being protected by the hospital. Conclusions: Patients and relatives experience similar high anxiety levels which are more robust in women and lower in ultra-orthodox participants. Our findings indicate that anxiety symptoms of both patients and adult relatives should be addressed.

Assessment of depressive symptoms in patients with COVID-19 during the second wave of epidemic in Myanmar: A cross-sectional single-center study

“…This study aimed to assess the depressive symptoms in patients with COVID-19 and to find out the associated factors with it. In sex distribution, men were more infected than women and it was in line with the findings of previous studies done in China [ 32 , 33 ], and Israel [ 34 ]. However, this finding was contrary to the results of the other studies conducted in the China [ 19 , 35 ] and Ecuador [ 36 ] stated that the sex distribution of patients with COVID-19 was not too different.…”

Prevalence and factors associated with psychological burden in COVID-19 patients and their relatives: A prospective observational cohort study

“…However, evidence on the nature of the association of resilience and psychological distress is still inconclusive [54][55][56] and more research is needed to identify effective interventions [53]. Dorman-Ilan et al [32] found that relatives who did not feel protected by the hospital might suffer from increased anxiety even one month after patients' discharge.…”

“…Relatives of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 might be equally affected but evidence is scarce. The study of Dorman-Ilan et al [ 32 ] suggests that both isolated COVID-19 patients and relatives might suffer from similarly high levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms during the initial stage of hospitalization.…”

“…A systematic review on the psychological impact of past viral respiratory epidemics indicated that female patients and those with lower education levels experience increased anxiety, depression and PTSD [ 8 ]. Studies evaluating psychological distress in the context of COVID-19 found female gender [ 32 , 37 – 40 ], higher age [ 39 , 40 ], lower education level [ 39 ] and not being employed [ 40 ] to be associated with anxiety. Further, female gender [ 37 , 38 , 40 ], lower education [ 18 , 35 ], not being employed [ 40 ] and living with children [ 35 ] were potential risk factors for depression.…”

The Influence of Post-Traumatic Growth on College Students’ Creativity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediating Role of General Self-Efficacy and the Moderating Role of Deliberate Rumination

“…During the COVID-19 pandemic, a study of 1,210 respondents in China showed that 84.7% spent 20-24 h per day at home and experienced the rates of moderate to severe depression and anxiety of 16.5 and 28.8%, respectively (Wang et al, 2020). In addition, the relatives of COVID-19 patients suffered from high levels of anxiety due to feelings of insecurity and loss of a sense of control (Dorman-Ilan et al, 2020). Most Italian residents had higher levels of distress because of positive cases nearby, the prolonged lockdown and having to relocate (Di Giuseppe et al, 2020).…”