ABSTRACT
This study aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on social relationships of forensic psychiatric outpatients with preexisting social network-related problems. Data from 70 participants of an ongoing randomized controlled trial, investigating the effectiveness of a social network intervention among forensic psychiatric outpatients, were examined. Demographic characteristics, quality of social relationships, loneliness, and social support were assessed at baseline. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an additional questionnaire that contained quantitative and qualitative questions regarding the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on social relationships was administered. Participants showed high levels of loneliness and dissatisfaction with social relationships before COVID-19. The majority of forensic outpatients perceived no changes on social relationships due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Qualitative results revealed some participants already lived socially isolated. Negative changes on social relationships were related to deterioration of social contacts, interruption of daytime activities, changed mental health care, and well-being. Emotional loneliness predicted deteriorated general and romantic relationships. These findings suggest that social relationships of forensic patients with preexisting social network-related problems remain of concern throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Forensic Psychology Research & Practice is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)