Abstract
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions caused major global disruption. Individuals with long-term physical health conditions (LTCs) are at higher risk of severe illness and often subject to the strictest pandemic guidance, so may be disproportionally affected. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore how living with a LTC during the COVID-19 pandemic affected people’s mental health and wellbeing.MethodsParticipants were people living with LTCs who participated in telephone/video call interviews based on a semi-structured topic guide. Key themes and subthemes were determined using deductive and inductive thematic analysis.ResultsThe sample included 32 participants with LTCs (most commonly cancer, respiratory conditions or cardiovascular diseases), mean age 57 (SD 13) years, 66% female and 72% white British. There were four overarching themes specific to living with a LTC. These were 1) high levels of fear and anxiety related to perceived consequences of catching COVID-19, 2) impact of shielding/isolation on mental health and wellbeing, 3) experience of healthcare during the pandemic and 4) anxiety created by uncertainty about the future. Fourteen subthemes were identified, including concerns about accessing essential supplies and the importance of social support. Individuals who lived alone and were advised to shield could be profoundly negatively affected.ConclusionsThis study found that there were a number of aspects of living with a LTC during the pandemic that had a significant impact on mental health and well-being. There should be focus on how best to provide practical and social support to people with LTCs during a pandemic, particularly if they have to shield or isolate.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions caused major global disruption
Themes relating to living with a long-term physical health conditions (LTCs) were 1) high levels of fear and anxiety related to perceived outcomes of catching COVID-19, 2) major impact of shielding/isolation on mental health and wellbeing, 3) experience of healthcare during the pandemic and 4) anxiety created by uncertainty about the future
Other more general themes about the impact of the pandemic, that were common across the COVID-19 Social Study groups, are Health conditions, n (%)a
Summary
Individuals with long-term physical health conditions (LTCs) are at higher risk of severe illness and often subject to the strictest pandemic guidance, so may be disproportionally affected. Individuals with long-term physical health conditions (LTCs) like diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory conditions are susceptible to severe illness if infected by the virus that causes COVID-19 (Sars-Cov-2) [1,2,3] and were often subject to the strictest restrictions. High levels of stress and negative changes to diet or physical activity (likely intensified by the enhanced pandemic restrictions among those who have to shield/isolate) can exacerbate some LTCs [7]. Understanding the impact of the challenges faced by people living with LTCs during the pandemic is crucial in determining who has been negatively affected, what support they may need during and beyond the pandemic, and how they could be supported should future pandemics occur
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