COVID-19 health crisis and prevalence of anxiety among individuals of various age groups: a qualitative study

Abstract

Purpose The monetary and psycho-social ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic have been extensive and unimaginable around the globe. The purpose of this study was to have a psycho-social analysis of people confronting this situation and its impact in the situation of a health crisis on them. Design/methodology/approach In the current study, participants were divided according to their different backgrounds and professions based on the types of measures taken by the Pakistani government to limit the spread of the virus and people who are not disturbed by any of the measurement categories but are troubled by the coronavirus. The interviews based on five open-ended questions were conducted with the eight participants, comprising questions that helped participants in remembering and realizing the purpose of the interview in the mode of an open questioning. Phenomenological interpretative analysis was used to understand how participants make meaning of the phenomenon being studied, an in-depth analysis of the human subject was considered in its singularity, and personal accounts and experiences were noted regarding this pandemic. Findings The results indicated that the participant’s experiences were marked by stress, insecurity, anger, fear, anxiety, traces of painful emotions and a feeling of weakness. Also the prevalence of unknown precariousness and vulnerability of coronavirus aggravated the psychological frailness among people existing in an anxiety-prone situation created by the novel coronavirus. Confronted with these painful experiences, the participants however, used a variety of cognitive and behavioral efforts which needs to be strengthened by psychological care. Research limitations/implications This study based on qualitative method was performed on diverse socio-professional levels, giving an insight to what they are undergoing, their current fears, desires and their feeling. The outcome of this study reveals traces of uncertainty, anxiety, fears, insecurity and hidden imminent death from coronavirus, therefore highlighting a need for immediate psychological interventions. Originality/value This study explores the individual understanding regarding current coronavirus pandemic situation on subjective lived experiences and psychological health in an anxiety-prone context manifested by the health crisis created by the novel corona virus.

The paradigm shift for educational system continuance in the advent of COVID-19 pandemic: Mental health challenges and reflections

“…According to the (WHO, 2020) COVI-19 transmittable disease caused more than 26 million confirmed infected cases worldwide ( Shuja et al., 2020 ). WHO declared the outbreak of the pandemic a global health emergency and global concern on January 30, 2020, and later announced it the epidemic on March 11, 2020 ( Ahmed et al., 2020 ; Lai et al., 2020 ). The epidemic has caused more than 1.282 deaths; however, more than 36.49 million people have fully recovered from the infection of this deadly disease as of November 11, 2020 ( Chakraborty and Maity, 2020 ).…”

Digital medical education and students’ mental health: effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany

“…Literature review of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic Anxiety Increased anxiety levels were observed during the recent and previous pandemics (Ahmed et al, 2020); 20% to 34% of students in Hong Kong experienced anxiety symptoms during the SARS pandemic (Wong et al, 2007). Among others, the perceived fear of infection (Ornell et al, 2020), and both, government-induced and self-isolation, may negatively impact anxiety (Brooks et al, 2020;Hyland et al, 2020;Killgore et al, 2020;Pfefferbaum and North, 2020;Santos, 2020).…”

“…Evidence from previous pandemics suggests that psychological burdens are unevenly spread across the population and do not necessarily coincide with infections (Reardon, 2015; Shigemura et al , 2020). Depression, anxiety, sleep and substance use are affected (Ahmed et al , 2020; Da et al , 2020; Mota, 2020; Ritchie et al , 2020). Policy measures, such as “lock-downs” and quarantines, aim to protect overall population health.…”

“…Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) – a novel COVID-19 identified in Wuhan, China in 2019 – has had far reaching global consequences. However, the direct and indirect consequences of the virus extend beyond infection and mortality rates (Ahmed et al , 2020; Galea et al , 2020; Mukhtar, 2020; Pfefferbaum and North, 2020; Shultz et al , 2015). Research has previously identified economic, psychological and behavioural impacts of pandemics.…”

Challenges of COVID Standard Operating Procedure Compliance in a Secondary Private School

“…By the end of December 2019, a new infectious respiratory disease appeared in Wuhan, China, and the World Health Organization (WHO) named it the COVID-19 virus. WHO declared the outbreak of the pandemic a global health emergency and global concern on January 30, 2020 (Ahmed et al, 2021) and total lockdown was imposed in Malaysia for a period of time. During the lockdown, Ministry of Education (MOE) stated that the teaching and learning platform will be done via online and gave guidelines included access to communications technology among teachers, parents and students.…”