engleski

Psychological sensitivity of persons with psychological disturbances to the effects of a COVID-19 pandemic

This study examined differences in the severity of anxiety, depression, and stress as well as the severity of PTSD symptoms between participants who had a history of previous psychiatric/psychotherapy treatment and the general population during COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the contribution of earlier psychiatric/psychotherapeutic treatment to the intensity of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was examined. The survey was conducted through an online survey during March and April 2020. A total of 1234 respondents of both gender (N (m) = 218 ; N (f) = 1016) and an average age of 39 years, participated in the survey. The largest number of participants had a university degree and a significant difference was found between respondents with regard to education (χ2 = 846.01 ; p < .001). The largest number of respondents at the time of the survey regularly went to work (χ2 = 688.67 ; p < .001) and had an average socioeconomic status (χ2 = 894.96 ; p < .001). Of the total number of participants 388 had a history of previous psychiatric/psychotherapeutic treatment. The following measurement instruments were used in the study: Depression, Anxiety and Stress Questionnaire (DASS-21), PTSD Checklist symptoms - according to DSM 5 criteria (PCL-5), General Data Questionnaire. The results indicated that, compared to participants in the general population, participants who had previously been treated with psychiatric/psychotherapy had higher levels of anxiety (Z = 7.66 ; p < .001), depression (Z = 7.13 ; p < .000) and stress (Z = 7.54 ; p < .001). Furthermore, participants with a history of psychiatric/psychotherapeutic treatment had significantly more PTSD symptoms (Z = 10.23 ; p < .001). The regression model suggests an association of earlier psychiatric/psychotherapeutic treatment with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms. The results of this research indicate a higher psychological sensitivity of persons who received earlier psychiatric/psychotherapeutic treatment, which makes them more vulnerable to deterioration of mental state in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 pandemic ; stress ; PTSD symptoms

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