Few longitudinal studies have so far investigated the impact of sustained COVID-19 among people with pre-existing psychiatric disorders. We conducted a prospective study involving people with serious mental illness (n = 114) and healthy controls (n = 41) to assess changes in the Perceived Stress Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, and Specific Psychotic Experiences Questionnaire scores 18 months after the COVID-19 pandemic outset. Subjects underwent interviews with a mental health professional in April 2020 and at the end of the local third wave (October 2021). A significant increase in perceived stress was found in healthy controls, especially females. Psychiatric patients showed a significant worsening of anxiety symptoms compared to baseline records (t = −2.3, p = 0.036). Patients who rejected vaccination had significantly higher paranoia scores compared to those willing to get vaccinated (U = 649.5, z = −2.02, p = 0.04). These findings indicate that COVID-19's sustained emergency may cause enduring consequences on mental health, soliciting further investigations.
The effects of sustained COVID-19 emergency and restrictions on the mental health of subjects with serious mental illness: A prospective study / Barone, A.; Billeci, M.; D'Amore, S.; De Prisco, M.; De Simone, G.; Ermini, E.; Freda, V.; Iannotta, F.; Luciani, A.; Pistone, L.; Rifici, L. M.; Saia, V. M.; Spennato, G.; Subosco, F.; Vellucci, L.; D'Urso, G.; Galletta, D.; Fornaro, M.; Iasevoli, F.; de Bartolomeis, A.. - In: JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY. - ISSN 0090-4392. - 51:1(2023), pp. 154-167. [10.1002/jcop.22886]
The effects of sustained COVID-19 emergency and restrictions on the mental health of subjects with serious mental illness: A prospective study
Barone A.;Billeci M.;D'Amore S.;De Prisco M.;De Simone G.;Ermini E.;Freda V.;Iannotta F.;Luciani A.;Pistone L.;Rifici L. M.;Saia V. M.;Spennato G.;Subosco F.;Vellucci L.;D'Urso G.;Galletta D.;Fornaro M.;Iasevoli F.;de Bartolomeis A.
2023
Abstract
Few longitudinal studies have so far investigated the impact of sustained COVID-19 among people with pre-existing psychiatric disorders. We conducted a prospective study involving people with serious mental illness (n = 114) and healthy controls (n = 41) to assess changes in the Perceived Stress Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, and Specific Psychotic Experiences Questionnaire scores 18 months after the COVID-19 pandemic outset. Subjects underwent interviews with a mental health professional in April 2020 and at the end of the local third wave (October 2021). A significant increase in perceived stress was found in healthy controls, especially females. Psychiatric patients showed a significant worsening of anxiety symptoms compared to baseline records (t = −2.3, p = 0.036). Patients who rejected vaccination had significantly higher paranoia scores compared to those willing to get vaccinated (U = 649.5, z = −2.02, p = 0.04). These findings indicate that COVID-19's sustained emergency may cause enduring consequences on mental health, soliciting further investigations.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
