Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in COVID-19 Survivors 6 Months After Hospital Discharge: An Application of the Conservation of Resource Theory

Abstract

COVID-19 survivors who had acute respiratory symptoms might experience prolonged post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to further rehabilitation, somatic symptoms and related distress. The conservation of resource (COR) theory is a well-developed theory to understand how people develop PTSD symptoms in traumatic events. The current study aimed to examine the potential factors of PTSD symptoms and interrelationships among this factors among COVID-19 survivors based on the COR theory. This cross-sectional telephone survey enrolled 199 COVID-19 patients (Mean age = 42.7; 53.3% females) 6 months after their hospital discharge in five Chinese cities (i.e., Wuhan, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Dongguan, and Nanning). The results showed that 7% of participants were classified as having probable PTSD. The significant potential factors relating to PTSD symptoms included socio-demographic status, hospitalization experiences, post-hospitalization experiences, and psychological status. Besides, the proposed statistical mediation model based on the COR framework showed good model fit, χ2(df) = 17.286 (5), p = 0.004, CFI = 0.962, NNFI = 0.951, RMSEA = 0.077. Perceived resource loss/gain fully mediated the association between exposure to other patients' suffering during hospitalization and PTSD symptoms, and partially mediated the relationships from somatic symptoms/perceived impact of being infected with COVID-19 after discharge to PTSD symptoms. On the other hand, resilience was a full mediator in the relationship from ICU experience to PTSD symptoms and a partial mediator in the relationship from perceived impact to PTSD symptoms. The results provide preliminary support on applying the COR theory to understand the factors of PTSD symptoms among COVID-19 survivors. Interventions to reduce PTSD symptoms in this population can be developed based on the modifiable psychosocial mediators.

Post-COVID-19 mental health and its associated factors at 3-months after discharge: A case-control study

“… 10 Wang et al showed that the hospitalization in the ICU was significantly associated with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms (PTSD) among COVID-19 survivors. 11 Consequently, evaluating their mental health status is of importance for health decision-makers to develop health care interventions to manage the mental health impairment. Therefore, we conducted a case-control study to investigate the mental health status and associated risk factors of Moroccan COVID-19 survivors 3 months after hospital discharge and to identify factors associated with ICU transfer of COVID-19 patients.…”

To Hell and Back: A Performer's mental health journey during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…At times, the memories and any other accompanying psychological symptoms can eventually lead to a diagnosis of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This has been evidenced in the study by Wang et al (2021), which indicated that 7% of a sample of 199 COVID‐19 patients had a tentative PTSD diagnosis following 6 months after hospital discharge. Interestingly, the results of this study and similar ones showed that those of older age, retired, non‐single, females and those having children experienced more PTSD symptoms than others did.…”

“…Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms have also been associated with COVID‐19. Wang et al (2021) explored this incidence in a sample of 199 COVID‐19 patients and conducted 6 months after their hospital discharge. The results indicated that 7% of the participants were classified as having probable PTSD.…”

The interrelations between psychological outcome trajectories and resource changes amid large-scale disasters: A growth mixture modeling analysis

“…Within the current COVID-19 pandemic, trajectories of resilience and/or recovery, relative to chronic and/or delayed distress, were characterized by higher levels of coping resources [ 6 , 7 , 28 , 56 ]. There is evidence showing that clinically significant symptoms were reported in conjunction with resource loss [ 23 , 25 – 27 ]. Our study analyzed three key types of resources (i.e., personal, social, financial), and revealed their distinctive roles in promoting resilience and protecting against psychopathology.…”

“…In-depth investigation is nonetheless needed on changes in resources as a dynamic factor in determining longitudinal trajectories of psychopathology and resilience within the current COVID-19 pandemic [ 11 , 22 – 24 ]. Cross-sectional evidence is available to show that COVID-19-induced resource losses in psychological, interpersonal, financial, and self-care aspects were positively associated with higher depressive, anxiety, and peritraumatic symptoms, or general distress among discharged COVID-19 inpatients in China [ 25 ], home-bound older adults in the US [ 26 ], people with chronic diseases in the US [ 26 ], and Syrian refugees [ 27 ]. A 10-week prospective study showed that perceived social support predicted subsequent higher well-being, lower distress, and decreased distress over the period among an online American sample ( n = 674) [ 28 ].…”