English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Mental health contributes towards a healthy life to a larger extent in every individual. Besides physical health, this devastating Coronavirus disease – 19 (COVID-19) pandemic had an impact on mental health. The purpose of this study was to bring the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on male professionals who were working from their home during the lockdown and also their anxiety levels. Also this study will highlight the effect of the lockdown on their professional, financial, and personal life. METHODS Online questionnaire designed for survey using Qualtrics software and BAI scale (Beck Anxiety Inventory) was used to assess the anxiety level in male professionals working from home. RESULTS 41 % of male professionals (54 professionals out of 132) showed moderate to severe anxiety levels due to social and physical restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. CONCLUSIONS The finding of anxiety levels in persons working from home after using BAI indicates the role of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Professional, financial and personal life of professionals was also affected during this period. It highlights the role & importance of a healthy work culture, maintaining balance between personal and professional life. The policy makers should provide interventions to mitigate the effect of working from home (WFH). It also emphasizes the role of employers to promote and provide good mental health at all working spaces, flexible working hours and also to sensitize and counsel mental health professionals to seek intervention. KEY WORDS COVID-19, Corona Virus, Anxiety, WFH, Professional.