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Keeping well in a COVID-19 crisis : a qualitative study formulating the perspectives of mental health service users and carers
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Simblett, Sara K., Wilson, Emma, Morris, Daniel, Evans, Joanne, Odoi, Clarissa, Mutepua, Magano, Dawe-Lane, Erin, Jilka, Sagar, Pinfold, Vanessa and Wykes, Til (2021) Keeping well in a COVID-19 crisis : a qualitative study formulating the perspectives of mental health service users and carers. Journal of Mental Health, 30 (2). pp. 138-147. doi:10.1080/09638237.2021.1875424 ISSN 0963-8237.
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Keeping well in a COVID 19 crisis a qualitative study formulating the perspectives of mental health service users and carers.pdf - Published Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (1335Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2021.1875424
Abstract
Background
People with existing mental health conditions may be particularly vulnerable to the psychological effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. But their positive and negative appraisals, and coping behaviour could prevent or ameliorate future problems.
Objective
To explore the emotional experiences, thought processes and coping behaviours of people with existing mental health problems and carers living through the pandemic.
Methods
UK participants who identified as a mental health service user (N18), a carer (N5) or both (N8) participated in 30-minute semi-structured remote interviews (31 March 2020 to 9 April 2020). The interviews investigated the effects of social distancing and self-isolation on mental health and the ways in which people were coping. Data were analysed using a framework analysis. Three service user researchers charted data into a framework matrix (consisting of three broad categories: “emotional responses”, “thoughts” and “behaviours”) and then used an inductive process to capture other contextual themes.
Results
Common emotional responses were fear, sadness and anger but despite negative emotions and uncertainty appraisals, participants described efforts to cope and maintain their mental wellbeing. This emphasised an increased reliance on technology, which enabled social contact and occupational or leisure activities. Participants also spoke about the importance of continued and adapted mental health service provision, and the advantages and disadvantages associated with changes in their living environment, life schedule and social interactions.
Conclusion
This study builds on a growing number of qualitative accounts of how mental health service users and carers experienced and coped with extreme social distancing measures early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than a state of helplessness this study contains a clear message of resourcefulness and resilience in the context of fear and uncertainty.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||||
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Subjects: | R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine R Medicine > RC Internal medicine |
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Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School |
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Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- , COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- -- Psychological aspects , COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- -- Health aspects, Mental health , Mental illness , Mentally ill -- Services for | ||||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Journal of Mental Health | ||||||||
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis | ||||||||
ISSN: | 0963-8237 | ||||||||
Official Date: | 2021 | ||||||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | 30 | ||||||||
Number: | 2 | ||||||||
Page Range: | pp. 138-147 | ||||||||
DOI: | 10.1080/09638237.2021.1875424 | ||||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Open Access (Creative Commons) | ||||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 4 March 2022 | ||||||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 4 March 2022 |
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