The Mental Burden of COVID-19 in Pulmonary Patients: An Investigation of Fear, Anxiety, and Quality of Life

Maria  Saridi; Ioanna  Dimitriadou; Evangelos Fradelos; Athanasia  Christara; Ioanna V. Papathanasiou; Kyriakos  Souliotis; Aikaterini  Toska

doi:10.56508/mhgcj.v8i1.288

Authors

Maria Saridi Laboratory of Clinical Nursing https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3973-8091
Ioanna Dimitriadou Laboratory of Clinical Nursing https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7084-6560
Evangelos Fradelos Laboratory of Clinical Nursing https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0244-9760
Athanasia Christara Department of Social & Educational Policy
Ioanna V. Papathanasiou Community Nursing Lab https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8874-8085
Kyriakos Souliotis Department of Social & Educational Policy
Aikaterini Toska Laboratory of Clinical Nursing https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6888-3394

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56508/mhgcj.v8i1.288

Keywords:

Mental Health, anxiety, stigma, COVID-19, fear, pandemic, quality of life

Abstract

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted various aspects of life, particularly mental health and quality of life.

Purpose: This study aims to assess the levels of anxiety and fear experienced during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, examine how these factors vary according to sociodemographic and individual characteristics, and explore their impact on the quality of life of individuals attending private pulmonology clinics.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 112 patients who visited a private pulmonology clinic in Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected via a questionnaire that included six sections, covering demographics, stigma, fear, quality of life, coping strategies, and mental health. Statistical analysis was performed via SPSS 25.

Results: The survey revealed high rates of COVID-19-related stigma, especially for foreigners (50.9%) and health workers (29.5%), with half of the participants believing that people were ill due to irresponsible behaviour. Fear of COVID-19 appears to be significantly high (m = 15.7), with gender (women) being among the determinants of the highest levels of fear. Anxiety occurs at normal levels (m = 5.6), although higher levels of fear have been shown to lead to higher levels of anxiety. Finally, both fear (p = 0.000) and anxiety (p = 0.003) are negatively correlated with most dimensions of quality of life.

Conclusions: The present research highlights the stigma created by COVID-19, especially for specific groups of people. In addition, increased levels of fear and anxiety affect the quality of life of individuals.

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