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Publication
Unravelling the impact of COVID-19 on mental health: A scoping review on traumatogenic events using the phases of response to disaster model
Journal Contribution - Journal Article
Background: Disease outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic give rise to high levels of psychological distress in people worldwide. Since this is the fi rst pandemic
of its kind, the best available evidence is needed on what psychological needs could be expected during and after the pandemic.
Objectives: In this scoping review existing research on traumatogenic events is examined in order to identify the potential impact on mental health of the COVID
pandemic. The research fi ndings are organized using the the phases of disaster response model.
Results: A total of 34 longitudinal studies, 2 studies with multiple waves of data collection and 92 cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies
included in this scoping review could be classifi ed as: 87 studies on COVID-19, 2 on SARS, 19 on wars, 19 on terrorist attacks and 1 on a nuclear accident. Results indicate
that stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, insomnia, denial, anger, grief and fear can be anticipated as common reactions. The longer a pandemic continues, the higher
the psychological strain is expected to be.
Conclusions: The phases of response to disaster model offers a valid frame to unravel the impact of the pandemic on mental health over time. Specifi c attention
must be given to vulnerable groups, whereby specifi c risk factors include age, gender, pre-existing mental health problems, healthcare profession, migration background,
isolation and low socio economic status. However, these may change over time, and a delayed manifestation of psychosocial problems needs to be considered too.
Mental health governance is, therefore, warranted throughout and even up to 6 months after the pandemic.
of its kind, the best available evidence is needed on what psychological needs could be expected during and after the pandemic.
Objectives: In this scoping review existing research on traumatogenic events is examined in order to identify the potential impact on mental health of the COVID
pandemic. The research fi ndings are organized using the the phases of disaster response model.
Results: A total of 34 longitudinal studies, 2 studies with multiple waves of data collection and 92 cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies
included in this scoping review could be classifi ed as: 87 studies on COVID-19, 2 on SARS, 19 on wars, 19 on terrorist attacks and 1 on a nuclear accident. Results indicate
that stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, insomnia, denial, anger, grief and fear can be anticipated as common reactions. The longer a pandemic continues, the higher
the psychological strain is expected to be.
Conclusions: The phases of response to disaster model offers a valid frame to unravel the impact of the pandemic on mental health over time. Specifi c attention
must be given to vulnerable groups, whereby specifi c risk factors include age, gender, pre-existing mental health problems, healthcare profession, migration background,
isolation and low socio economic status. However, these may change over time, and a delayed manifestation of psychosocial problems needs to be considered too.
Mental health governance is, therefore, warranted throughout and even up to 6 months after the pandemic.
Journal: Archives of community medicine and public health
ISSN: 2455-5479
Issue: 3
Volume: 7
Pages: 218-237
Publication year:2022
Keywords:covid-19, Wellbeing, Mental Health
Accessibility:Open