Abstract
Background: While focusing on the management and care of COVID-19 patients, the mental health of these patients and their relatives is being overlooked. The aim of the current study was to measure anxiety and depression, and to assess their association with socio-demographic and pandemic-related stress factors in COVID-19 patients and their relatives during the initial stage of hospitalization.Methods: We assessed isolated hospitalized patients (N = 90) and their relatives (adults and children, N = 125) by phone, 25–72 h following patients' admission. The quantitative measures included the Anxiety and Depression modules of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and pandemic-related stress factors. Qualitative measures included questions exploring worries, sadness, and coping modes.Results: Both patients and relatives suffer from high levels of anxiety and related pandemic worries, with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Compared to adult relatives, child relatives reported significantly lower anxiety. The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed an increased risk for anxiety among females and a decreased risk among ultra-orthodox participants. While increased anxiety among patients was associated with feelings of isolation, increased anxiety among relatives was associated with a feeling of not being protected by the hospital.Conclusions: Patients and relatives experience similar high anxiety levels which are more robust in women and lower in ultra-orthodox participants. Our findings indicate that anxiety symptoms of both patients and adult relatives should be addressed.
Highlights
To date, empirical focus on mental health during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) addressed two groups—the general population [1] and healthcare providers [2]
The mean number of relatives per patient was 2.09 ± 1.57. 36 patients participated without their relatives, and 11 relatives participated without their hospitalized family member due to language or cognitive barriers of the patient
Anxiety was significantly higher than depression among adults, both patients and relatives [F(1,177) = 8.40, p = 0.004], and among children relatives as well [M = 54.2 ± 7.0 vs. M = 51.1 ± 7.6, F(1,30) = 4.23, p = 0.048]
Summary
Empirical focus on mental health during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) addressed two groups—the general population [1] and healthcare providers [2]. Evidence regarding mental health consequences of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and their relatives is largely lacking. Patients with COVID-19 and their relatives face a set of major stressors [3]. These include social distancing from their loved ones, which increases a sense of uncertainty regarding their health status, and increased family-care burdens and economic stressors [3]. The mental health aspects of COVID-19 patients and their relatives are being largely overlooked [4]. While focusing on the management and care of COVID-19 patients, the mental health of these patients and their relatives is being overlooked. The aim of the current study was to measure anxiety and depression, and to assess their association with socio-demographic and pandemic-related stress factors in COVID-19 patients and their relatives during the initial stage of hospitalization
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
