COVID-19 strikes: An assessment on psychological vulnerability among quarantined subjects in hospital of city of Kolkata, India

Abstract

Introduction: Pandemic of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) appeared as the most precarious yet unforeseen threat to the existence of mankind. From China it has spread throughout the world and till today the number of infected and death tolls reported are appalling and terrifying. Apart from physical health, the mental well-being of those who are exposed to possible infection is seriously at stake. Aim: This study was an investigation of the mental health status of quarantined subjects in Kolkata Hospital. It aimed to assess how the psychological constructs of quarantined subjects may play a role in psychogenic vulnerability and risk adjustments at the outbreak of this pandemic. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 quarantined subjects in the hospital were assessed for the internal and external locus of control, high and low resilience, upper and lower anxiety symptoms, and high low trait anxiety. The above eight groups were investigated on 18 emotional and dispositional factors on a Likert scale. Results: Significant intragroup differences observed between locus of control and resilience groups in regard to most dispositional and emotional elements. Anxiety symptoms and trait anxiety groups reflected no such intragroup significant differences. Comparisons between the high resilience group and high anxiety group displayed significant differences in most emotional and dispositional measures. Conclusion: Internal locus subjects appeared to be anxious and particular about health and ready to comply with new imposition of health rule. The low resilience group reacted negatively to the most dispositional and emotional measures when compared to the higher resilience group. The high trait anxiety group and high anxiety symptoms group reflected mostly similar responses. All groups acknowledged the health workers’ roles and recognized the need for medical spending for pandemics. Clinical Significance: This study indicates that quarantined subjects with high resilience can fare better facing a psychological crisis as the pandemic of COVID-19.