Diverse Experiences and Coping During the COVID-19 Lockdown and Unlock in India

Abstract

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Government of India imposed a nationwide lockdown of 21 days on May 25, 2020, which was extended thrice to a total of 68 days. Mandatory quarantine could hamper mental well-being, trust in the government, and compliance with guidelines. This study looks in-depth at individual accounts during the lockdown (phase A) and after the “unlock” (lifting of the nationwide lockdown; phase B) using telephonic interviews. Mass job loss and the exodus of migrant workers from major cities highlighted the need to include low-income groups in research; hence, purposive sampling was used. We interviewed 45 participants in phase A and 35 participants in phase B; the latter was drawn from the phase A pool based on availability and willingness. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Analysis revealed four themes of participants’ experiences, namely: (1) transitioning from a disrupted normal to a “new normal”; (2) accountability and lack of trust; (3) fear and uncertainty; and (4) perceived lack of control. Within the themes, coping with stressors was observed in six broad categories: (1) distraction, (2) escape/avoidance, (3) positive cognitive restructuring, (4) problem solving, (5) seeking support, and (6) religious coping. Results enabled the drawing of parallels and contrasts between various socioeconomic, religious, and sexual/gender groups and were discussed from the lens of cognitive appraisal theory and coping. The implications of these findings in psychological crisis intervention and policy are discussed, pointing toward the need to allow a collaborative effort and mutual trust to build a resilient society.

Assessing the Reasons and Adverse Effects of Self-Medication in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sierra Leone. A Case Study of Moriba Town Section

“…Other studies conducted in Columbia and Saudi Arabia also showed a higher prevalence of self-treatment, 60 , 61 pointing to the necessity for addressing the factors that drive individuals to self-medicate of which the most common were fears related to infection, quarantine, and societal stigma were the predominant motivations for self-medication. 62 , 63 However, studies done on self-medication during COVID-19 pandemic in: United States 13%, Australia 11%, Germany 11%, Spain 9%, United Kingdom 9%, Mexico 8%, and Italy 8% 64 showed disparity with the current report which may be due to drug policies and better health infrastructure. Nonetheless, this reflects the heightened anxiety and concerns prevalent during the pandemic, emphasizing the need for clear communication and support mechanisms.…”

Medium-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the life contexts and personal resources of vulnerable young people

“…The goal is to identify the social and psychological processes that have contributed to making these young people vulnerable. As observed, the COVID-19 crisis exposed most people in precarious situations to vulnerability (Meraj & Makkar, 2022;Panteli et al, 2022;Stanistreet et al, 2020). One research question is to identify the characteristics of the COVID-19 pandemic as a career shock (Akkermans et al, 2018) and to identify to what extent it has mobilized personal resources, particularly psychological capital (Luthans et al, 2007;Urbanaviciute et al, 2019), as well as coping strategies (Breakwell, 1986).…”

“…The pandemic constituted a “career shock” for many of them, an experience defined as “a disruptive and extraordinary event that is at least to some degree caused by factors outside the focal individual's control and that triggers a deliberate thought process concerning one's career” (Akkermans et al, 2018, p. 4). This shock was particularly severe among disadvantaged young people (Blustein et al, 2022; Meraj & Makkar, 2022; Panteli et al, 2022). The short-term impact of the pandemic on employment, living conditions, education (Stanistreet et al, 2020), and health (Khlat et al, 2022) has been clearly identified.…”