Corona Qualms: A study to assess the psychological impact of Nationwide Lockdown imposed during COVID-19 pandemic in India.

Dr Prerna Upadhyaya; Mr Ranbireshwar Thakur; Dr Sumit Gakkhar; Dr Jaswant Goyal

Volume : IX, Issue : VIII, August - 2020

Corona Qualms: A study to assess the psychological impact of Nationwide Lockdown imposed during COVID-19 pandemic in India.

Dr Prerna Upadhyaya, Mr Ranbireshwar Thakur, Dr Sumit Gakkhar, Dr Jaswant Goyal

Abstract :

Introduction: CoViD–19 is a worldwide emergency that has taken a toll not just on health services and economies globally but has also had a detrimental effect on people�s social, psychological and mental health. The psychosocial impact of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 has been studied among the Indian population, but the particular psychological effects of the nationallockdown in India haven�t been delved into yet. In this background, we evaluate the relevant impact on mental health in consequence of the lockdown imposed during CoViD–19 pandemic in India. Material & Methods: This was a descriptive, cross sectional study conducted in the month of May 2020. A Web– based survey comprising of 44 multiple choice and short answer questions was to be completed by the participants. Questions explored included the 1) demographic data 2) relevant personal & family history 3) general symptoms of anxiety and depression (rated by Kessler K10 Scale) and 4) symptoms of post–traumatic stress (rated by Weiss & Marmar Impact of event scale revised) Results: 503 people responded to the Web based Survey form. General Data was analysed for Gender, Age, Marital Status, Job profile, Family set–up and with whom they practised self–quarantine under the nationwide lockdown. 57.6% people were optimistic for the future. On Mental Health Outcome Scales analysis, it was found that according to Kessler Scale, 35% of the respondents showed symptoms of distress and anxiety and according to Impact of Event scale (revised), 32.21% of the respondents showed symptoms that could lead to a probable diagnosis of PTSD. Conclusion: The Nationwide Lockdown imposed during CoViD–19 has had an adverse psychological impact on the mental health of the individuals. The prevalence of anxiety and distress and PTSD was on the higher scale, in comparison to the data of other countries. Early interventional steps were taken by the government and various psychological portals to reduce the anxiety and distress amongst the people. Further studies with more population coverage are needed to establish the findings of this study.