Psychological Distress during the Corona Shutdown: Associations between Behavioral Adaption and Psychological Distress in Individuals with Preexisting Psychiatric Conditions and Healthy Controls

Abstract

Current research suggests that individuals with preexisting psychiatric conditions experienced particularly high levels of psychological distress during the various 'shutdown' measures to contain Covid-19. In order to gain a better insight into the demands for psychiatric care in times of crisis, this study compared levels of psychological distress in individuals with preexisting psychiatric conditions with healthy controls and further examined associations of daily routines with psychological distress. Out of 99 participants of an online survey, 44 individuals reported prior mental health-related inpatient treatment. Patients were asked about their levels of psychological distress and adaptation of lifestyle and activities of daily living. Individuals with a psychiatric history were significantly more psychologically distressed (p < 0.001; d = 1.68) and displayed significantly less behavioral adaptation than healthy controls (p = 0.012; d = -0.52) in response to the changed circumstances. The difference in behavioral adaptation accounted for 21 % of the difference in psychological distress. In times of crisis, individuals with a psychiatric history require ongoing support from mental health services, in particular those supporting every-day lifestyle in order to better cope with the consequences of a drastically changed environment.