Factors Influencing Mental Health During Covid-19 Outbreak: An Exploratory Survey Among Indian Population

Abstract

Purpose: Research on the impact of social distancing on mental health during epidemics is limited, especially in India. The purpose of this study is to scale the association between anxiety and socio-demographic factors during Covid19 lockdown among the general Indian population.Design/methodology/approach: A descriptive cross-sectional nationwide study was designed to enrol the general population. The inclusion criteria for this study were Indian citizens aged 18 years and above. The study was conducted from 29 th March to 12 th April 2020, using an online google questionnaire. The anxiety among respondents was detected and measured using a Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale which consists of 7 questions (in English), i.e. GAD-7.Findings: Respondees were 392, and from these participants, the prevalence of anxiety was 25.3 per cent. Based on the bivariate logistic regression analysis, the predictors of anxiety were gender, religion, occupation as business/self-employed, marital status, family size, health status and sleep deprivation. Conclusion:This study reports the prevalence of anxiety among Indian population who were grounded at their homes during lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic in the country. Limitations:(1) The selection of participants through non-random sampling.(2) Because of the cross-sectional character of the study, causal conclusions cannot be drawn.Originality/Value: This paper fulfils an identified need to study the mental health status of the population under situations like lockdown, thereby helping fill a persistent gap in Indian research on this issue.

Relationship quality and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown

“…In times of COVID-19, a survey from India showed that married participants had 40% lower odds of developing anxiety during COVID-19 lockdown than unmarried participants [6]. Yet, the following examples show that the relationship between marriage / relationship and mental health seems to be moderated by marriage / relationship quality [7].…”

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“…The question item 21, 17, 16, 13, 10, 5, and 3 were items of the depression subscale. The score of depression subscale was Normal (0-9), Mild depression (10)(11)(12), Moderate depression (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20), severe depression (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27), and Extremely severe depression (28-42). Questions item 20, 19, 15, 9, 7, 4, and 2 were items of the anxiety subscale.…”

“…Questions item 20, 19, 15, 9, 7, 4, and 2 were items of the anxiety subscale. The score of anxiety subscale was Normal (0-6), Mild (7-9), Moderate (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), Severe (15)(16)(17)(18)(19), and extremely severe . Questions items 18,14,12,11,8,6, and 1 were items of the stress subscale.…”

“…Questions items 18,14,12,11,8,6, and 1 were items of the stress subscale. The score of stress subscale was Normal (0-10), Mild stress (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18), Moderate stress (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26), severe stress (27-34), and Extremely severe stress (35-42). 22,23 The third part of the questioner was the current knowledge, attitude, and awareness (KAP) about the coronavirus (COVID-19).…”

“…12 During this pandemic period, having mental and psychological problems leads to poor self-hygiene, appetite, sleep, immunity status, and commitment to obey commands recommended by health professionals that all enhance the susceptibility for infection. 13,14 After the occurrence of the pandemic, in Italy, 38%, 15 china 53.8%, 16 Australia 78%, 17 France 38.6% 18 and India 25.3% 19 of the respondents were developed mild to moderate psychological distress including anxiety, stress and depression.…”