Concerns, Positive Changes, and Suggestions for Psychological Support during COVID-19: A Thematic Analysis

Abstract

Background: On 12 March 2020, Slovenia formally declared the presence of a pandemic of COVID-19 disease, followed by measures to stop the spread of the virus. Scope: The aim of this study was to explore how people experienced the progress of events related to the COVID-19 epidemic. Method: We conducted a general adult population survey by an online questionnaire that included-among others-three open-ended questions. Thematic analysis was applied for each question separately to identify key patterns in the data. Results: The first topic (questions about the epidemic) resulted in four core themes: concerns about the disease, concerns about the future, concerns about measures, and concerns about well-being and daily life. The second topic (positive changes during the epidemic) resulted in three core themes: changes in oneself, changes in close relationships, and changes in the environment and society. Lastly, the third topic (requests for psychological support during the epidemic) resulted in three core themes: direct help and support, information and awareness raising, and media activity. Conclusion: Overall, the themes that emerged from our study provide information that can help in understanding how people perceive the influence on their mental health and well-being of the negative and (some) positive effects of the COVID-19 epidemic. This may be helpful in the general preparedness to a feared second wave of the pandemic.

A Lonelier World after COVID-19: Longitudinal Population-Based Study of Well-Being, Emotional and Social Loneliness, and Suicidal Behaviour in Slovenia

“…Our results show that people reported higher levels of social loneliness than emotional loneliness before the pandemic. Insufficient or unsatisfying social networks appeared to be more common than a perceived lack of intimate connection with other people, which is consistent with previous research [5].…”

“…Studies in Slovenia indicate that, at the beginning of the pandemic, people were concerned about the possible infection of their relatives, especially those who belonged to high-risk groups. These fears were later replaced by concerns about the long-term effects of the pandemic, changes in living conditions, job security, and the economy [5,6]. Excessive worries about one's own health, the well-being of loved ones, and the future contribute significantly to depressive feelings and a decline in well-being, which was observed in Slovenian samples [7].…”

Beyond the Preventive Measures: A Delphi Method-Based Study of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Different Age Groups

“…In the initial phase, about up to 1 month after the outbreak of the virus, people reported mild to moderate effects of the pandemic on their mental health [ 2 ]. Initially, adults reported having worries and fears related to the uncertainty and nature of the spread of the virus, as well as fears related to contracting the virus [ 3 , 4 ]. Later (approximately after the first month), while pandemic and preventive measures still persisted, fears about the long-term consequences, changes in living conditions, and employment opportunities were reported [ 4 , 5 ].…”

“…Initially, adults reported having worries and fears related to the uncertainty and nature of the spread of the virus, as well as fears related to contracting the virus [ 3 , 4 ]. Later (approximately after the first month), while pandemic and preventive measures still persisted, fears about the long-term consequences, changes in living conditions, and employment opportunities were reported [ 4 , 5 ]. An increased prevalence of mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder was reported [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”