Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Factors shaping the mental health and well-being of people experiencing persistent COVID-19 symptoms or 'long COVID': qualitative study.
Burton, Alexandra; Aughterson, Henry; Fancourt, Daisy; Philip, Keir E J.
  • Burton A; Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, UK.
  • Aughterson H; Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, UK.
  • Fancourt D; Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, UK.
  • Philip KEJ; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, UK; and NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, UK.
BJPsych Open ; 8(2): e72, 2022 Mar 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1753144
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Around one in ten people who contract COVID-19 report persistent symptoms or 'long COVID'. Impaired mental health and well-being is commonly reported, including anxiety, depression and reduced quality of life. However, there is limited in-depth research exploring why mental health and well-being are affected in people experiencing long COVID.

AIMS:

To explore factors affecting mental health and well-being from the perspective of people with long COVID.

METHOD:

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Twenty-one people with long COVID participated in the study. Participants were eligible if they self-reported a positive swab test/antibody test or one or more commonly reported COVID-19 symptoms at illness onset. and experiences of one or more long COVID symptoms ≥3 weeks following illness onset.

RESULTS:

Five themes were identified across participant accounts regarding factors affecting mental health and well-being, including symptoms causing severe disruption to daily life, lack of service and treatment options, uncertainty of illness trajectories, experiences of care and understanding from others and changes to identity.

CONCLUSIONS:

People with long COVID experience a range of factors that negatively affect their mental health and well-being. Providing patient-centred health services that integrate rapidly evolving research in this area is important, as are peer support groups and supported approaches to self-management.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid Language: English Journal: BJPsych Open Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Bjo.2022.38

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid Language: English Journal: BJPsych Open Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Bjo.2022.38