RESUMO
BackgroundSubstance use has become a critical health concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, and emerging attention has been paid to people with the persistent symptoms of COVID-19 (COVID-19 long haulers) due to their high vulnerability. However, scant research has investigated their substance use and relevant psychosocial factors. The current study was to (1) examine substance use behaviors (i.e., legal drug use, illicit drug use, and non-medical use of prescription drugs); and (2) assessed their associations with psychiatric symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder) and psychosocial factors (i.e., personal mastery and social support) among COVID-19 long haulers. MethodsIn January - March 2022, 460 COVID-19 long haulers (50% female), with an average age of 32, completed online surveys regarding their demographics, substance use, psychiatric symptoms, and psychosocial factors. ResultsIn the past three months, the most commonly used or non-medically used substances were tobacco (82%) for legal drugs, cocaine (53%) for illicit drugs, and prescription opioids (67%) for prescription drugs. Structural equation modeling suggested that psychiatric symptoms were positively associated with substance use behaviors ({beta}s = .38 to .68, ps < .001), while psychosocial factors were negatively associated with substance use behaviors ({beta}s = -.61 to -.43, ps < .001). ConclusionSubstance use is common in COVID-19 long haulers and psychiatric symptoms are the risk factors. Personal mastery and social support appear to offer protection offsetting the psychiatric influences. Substance use prevention and mental health services for COVID-19 long haulers should attend to personal mastery and social support.
RESUMO
IntroductionPersistent COVID-19 symptoms (long COVID) may bring numerous challenges to long haulers social lives. Women may have to endure more profound impacts given their social roles and existing structural inequality. This study aims to explore the impacts of long COVID on various aspects of social life among female long haulers. MethodsWe conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with female long haulers in the United States purposely recruited from Facebook groups, Slack groups, and organization websites. The interviews were audio recorded after appropriate consent and transcribed verbatim. Inductive approach was applied in thematic analysis, which consists of six stages: becoming familiar with data, developing initial codes, extracting themes, refining themes, labeling themes, and reporting. The MAXQDA software was used in data analysis. ResultsPersistent COVID-19 symptoms negatively affected female long haulers social lives in many aspects including physical function, financial security, social relationship, conflict of social roles, and social stigma. Physical limitations changed their body image. Social isolation and work-family conflicts caused huge stress. They experienced internalization of stigma and job insecurities. Shifting to new methods of communication, especially social media may buffer the negative effects of social isolation because of long COVID. ConclusionExisting policies and intervention programs need to be adapted to address the challenges and barriers that long haulers face in returning to normal social life, especially for females. Tailored social life-related recommendations and social support are needed for female long haulers.
