Worry, Perceived Discrimination, Lifestyle Changes, and Protective Factors During COVID-19: A Study With Recovering Patients in Delhi, India

Abstract

COVID-19 has affected people all over the world. For those who were infected by the virus, the repercussions go beyond immediate medical conditions to include social stigma, fear, uncertainty, and lifestyle changes. This study presents data collected as part of a mental health intervention (COVID Response) with individuals who had been diagnosed with coronavirus and had completed the minimum 14 days isolation period, in the city of Delhi, India. Through a survey conducted telephonically, participants self reported on six major mental health indicators: levels of worry, mood, lifestyle changes made through the phase of diagnosis and recovery, perceived discrimination faced due to the diagnosis, and the willingness to donate blood plasma. Descriptive findings show lower levels of worry than at the time of testing and diagnosis, positive mood states, and availability of social support. One Way Anova results further indicate that worry differed significantly across groups with differences in lifestyle changes, reported mood, availability of medical care, and the willingness to donate plasma. These findings contribute toward an informed understanding about recovery from coronavirus and sustainable coping with the pandemic, which can aid related health initiatives and evolving policy.

Perceived discrimination based on the symptoms of covid-19, mental health, and emotional responses–the international online COVISTRESS survey

“…The number of missing data specifically for this question was particularly high (29% of the sample), suggesting that participants may have been embarrassed to answer questions. Instead, previous research has shown that about 20% of respondents reported discrimination (in U.S. and Indian samples; [ 22 ]) This surprisingly low proportion in the present study is likely due to underreporting, which is quite frequent in the case of personal social rejection [ 55 , 56 ], but also to a lower proportion of ethnic minorities in this database. Indeed, previous studies showed that non-white participants are more likely to report covid-19 discrimination [ 22 , 26 , 28 ], as well as reporting more deleterious consequences on their mental health [ 28 ].…”

“…The number of missing data specifically for this question was particularly high (29% of the sample), suggesting that participants may have been embarrassed to answer questions. Instead, previous research has shown that about 20% of respondents reported discrimination (in U.S. and Indian samples; [22]) This surprisingly low proportion in the present study is likely due to underreporting, which is quite frequent in the case of personal social rejection [55,56], but also to a lower proportion of ethnic minorities in this database. Indeed, previous studies showed that non-…”

“…When confronted with an individual showing symptoms consistent with covid-19 (e.g., coughing, blowing nose), the behavioral immune system promotes behaviors that prevent contact with objects and individuals potentially carrying the threat [ 20 ]. This can lead to simply avoiding contact with the individual in question (e.g., social distancing; [ 21 ]), but it can also lead to behaviors of implicit disapproval (e.g., disparaging looks from others, suspicion) or more explicit disapproval (e.g., verbal aggression), social rejection, or even physical violence [ 22 ]. Such discriminations, going beyond the simple avoidance of the pathogen threat, have been observed in previous viral outbreaks, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Ebola [ 23 – 25 ].…”

“…Previous studies have indicated that covid-19 sufferers have experienced similar responses, with about one-fifth of the surveyed samples reported having experienced discrimination (e.g., 22.10% in a US sample, [ 26 ]; 18% in an Indian sample, [ 22 ]), without including the potential of under-reporting of such phenomena (respondents preferring not to answer questions related to such discriminations). Moreover, studies have shown positive relationships between perceived covid-19 discrimination and various mental health problems.…”

A Study on Determinants of COVID-19 Preventive Health Behaviors of Mothers with Young Children in South Korea

“…According to Lee et al [ 36 ], it was found that mother’s mental health had more influence on young children’s health prevention behavior than other groups. During the coronavirus pandemic, there have been many studies examining negative mental health factors such as anxiety [ 37 ], psychological instability [ 38 ], harsh parenting [ 39 ], and lack of emotional care [ 40 ] among mothers with young children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maternal confidence is an important factor that positively influences preventive health behaviors.…”