Relationship between Psychological Resilience, Perceived Stress, Death Anxiety and Progression of Disease in Individuals with COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION

This study examines the association between perceived stress, death anxiety, psychological resilience and the sociodemographic and clinical features of patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

METHODS

304 patients with COVID-19 diagnosis, who were admitted to İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine Hospital "COVID-19 Patients Monitoring Center" were recruited. No sample selection was made, all the patients who were followed up and treated in the center were included. Data was collected by the researchers through face-to-face interviews using the Sociodemographic Information and Disease Progression Form, Psychological Hardiness Scale (PHS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Templer Death Anxiety Scale (TDAS).

RESULTS

Women scored higher in PSS and TDAS. Participants with chronic diseases reported higher death anxiety whereas perceived stress was higher in individuals with psychiatric disorders and ones without a history of intensive care unit stay. Participants without psychiatric disorders, who had longer hospitalization and who fully recovered scored higher in PHS-Control. Patients' report of negative attitudes from their relatives/friends was associated with lower scores in PHS. Perceived stress was correlated with death anxiety and psychological resilience.

CONCLUSION

Being female, comorbid physical and mental illnesses, continuation of disease symptoms and low psychological resilience were found to be risk factors in terms of stress and death anxiety in COVID-19 patients. These vulnerable groups need to be closely evaluated with a bio-psychosocial approach and provided psychological support during the course of the disease. Health institutions are recommended to conduct medical treatment in cooperation with psychological care.