Analysis of the Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People with Severe Mental Disorders

Antonio José Sánchez-Guarnido, Nuria Hidalgo, Jorge Arenas de la Cruz, Inmaculada Esteban, Silvia Mondón and Carlos Herruzo
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Antonio José Sánchez-Guarnido: Hospital Santa Ana, 18600 Motril, Spain
Nuria Hidalgo: Hospital Santa Ana, 18600 Motril, Spain
Jorge Arenas de la Cruz: Hospital General Universitario Ntra. Sra. del Prado, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain
Inmaculada Esteban: Hospital Santa Ana, 18600 Motril, Spain
Silvia Mondón: Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
Carlos Herruzo: Department of Psychology, Universidad de Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-11

Abstract: For people with severe mental disorders (SMDs) the COVID-19 pandemic may pose a number of risks. These include the loss of needed care, a higher probability of infection, and the worsening of their mental health. To analyze the pandemic’s impact on care received, relapses, loss of employment, and adherence to preventive guidelines in SMD sufferers, a multicenter retrospective cohort study was carried out comparing 185 patients diagnosed with SMD and 85 with common disorders. The results showed that during lockdown, there was a significant reduction in face-to-face psychotherapeutic, nursing, and occupational therapy interventions. In the same period, telematic interventions were introduced which, although subsequently reduced, now continue to be used to a greater extent than before the pandemic. Employment decreased significantly (13% vs. 9.2%; ? 2 = 126.228 p < 0.001). The percentage of people with SMD following preventive guidelines was significantly lower for both hand washing (56.2% vs. 75.3%; ? 2 = 9.360, p = 0.002) and social distancing (47% vs. 63.5; ? 2 = 6.423 p = 0.011). In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a reduction in the interventions that are needed for the recovery of people with SMDs, together with a significant loss of employment and an increased risk of contagion due to less adherence to preventive guidelines. In the future, appropriate attention to these people’s needs must be guaranteed.

Keywords: severe mental disorder; adherence to preventive guidelines against COVID-19; psychotherapy; occupational therapy; nursing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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