Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on psychological health and quality of sleep: An online survey from Kolkata

Abstract

Background: As a preventive measure to combat COVID-19 pandemic, India has undergone “lockdown” since March 25, 2020. The pandemic and lockdown can impose a psychological impact in the form of fear, anxiety, stress and insomnia etc. Aims and Objective: The aim of the current study is to assess the magnitude of anxiety, depression, stress and poor sleep quality among the adult population of Kolkata, West Bengal amidst COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: By this online survey using Google forms, a total of 435 responses were received. The online questionnaire comprises of Socio-demographic characteristics, COVID—19 Anxiety Scale (CAS), Perceived Stress Scale 4 (PSS 4), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ 9) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Results: COVID-19 related anxiety were almost similar across age groups, sex, marital and educational status. PSS score was found higher in ≤25 years and >40 years age group, those not currently married, students and homemakers. Patient Health Questionnaire scores were found significantly different across all background characteristics categories except for the level of education whereas Insomnia Severity index Scale scores were found significantly more among subjects not currently married and among subjects who were working from home. Conclusions: The current study provides evidence towards the negative psychological impact of the pandemic and reminds us about the need for widespread psychiatric services during and after pandemic.

The mental health impact of work from home: a literature review

“…Evidence on the effects of sleep quality and remote work also revealed remote workers experienced higher levels of insomnia compared to traditional workers, with 18.8%-24.3% of WFH employees meeting clinical insomnia criteria. 15 Social distance learners were also found to sleep less efficiently with later sleep onsets and decreased nocturnal sleep times compared to traditional students in previous semesters. 16 In addition, the literature suggested WFH employees experienced various mental health morbidities such as anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion.…”

“…11 For some, WFH led to decreased work productivity. 7 15 Indian remote workers n = 106 Questionnaire • Remote workers reported higher levels of anxiety due to COVID-19, depression, and insomnia compared to traditional office workers • WFH for more or less hours than baseline was associated with increased depression • 18.8%-24.3% of WFH employees met clinical insomnia criteria Niu 11 Japanese teleworkers n = 1810 Questionnaire • Most common WFH stressors: can't go out for entertainment and lack of communication with colleagues • Switching to telework was associated with decreased stress due to economic pressure and lack of communication with cohabitants • Switching to telework was associated with higher prevalence of alcohol consumption and increases in physical symptoms like eye strain and back pain • 32.6% of employees who switched to WFH reported no access to a workroom and 67.3% decreased their exercise • 13.5% and 37.2% of employees who switched to telework were "very satisfied" and "satisfied" with telework, respectively vs 2.6% and 13% who were "very dissatisfied" and "dissatisfied", respectively Smit 16 Canadian online university students n = 80 Questionnaire • Identifying as "evening type" was associated with a positive impact on sleep, and identifying as "morning type" was associated with negative effects on sleep • Social distance learners slept less efficiently, with later sleep onsets and decreased nocturnal sleep, compared to students from past semesters (continued)…”

“…17 Likewise, remote work was associated with a greater increase in stress (p < 0.05) 1 and higher levels of depression and anxiety than in-person workers. 15 In the United States, 38.5% of mental health staff reported increased levels of burnout and/or compassion fatigue after switching to remote work during the pandemic. 8…”

“…The Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles 2022;10(45): [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] work overload and role ambiguity. 4 In contrast, WFH 1%-89% of the time revealed no significant impact on mental health parameters compared to traditional workers, but WFH 90%-100% of the time was associated with higher levels of depression, fear, and perceived stress (CI 95%).…”

“…19 A separate study suggested that WFH for either less or more hours than one's baseline was positively associated with depression. 15 dIscussIon recoMMendAtIons It has been well-established that the workplace environment can have significant effects on mental health of employees. 5 This review of current literature on remote work supports this consensus, with evidence suggesting that WFH status is associated with depression, 5,10,12,13,17 anxiety, 5,12,13,15 stress, 1,5,12 sleep quality, 15,16 and more.…”