Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Social Relationships of Individuals with Serious Mental Illnesses

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Social relationships are critical to the health and well-being of people with serious mental illnesses (SMI) and are a major focus of psychiatric rehabilitation services. This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social relationships that people with SMI had with important people in their lives. An online survey was conducted in May 2020. Forty-three participants with SMI listed the names of important people in their lives and responded to a series of questions about their communications, engagement in various activities, and perceived support and satisfaction with each important person, before and after the pandemic. Results consistently indicated that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, social relationships decreased significantly with those they did not live with but were unchanged with those they lived with. The results suggest that supports should be targeted at assisting people in reestablishing social interactions and relationships with people they do not live with.