Emotional consequences of COVID-19 home confinement: The ECLB-COVID19 multicenter study
Authors: Ammar Achraf , Mueller Patrick , Trabelsi Khaled , Chtourou Hamdi , Boukhris Omar , Masmoudi Liwa , Bouaziz Bassem , Brach Michael , Schmicker Marlen , Bentlage Ellen , How Daniella , Ahmed Mona , Aloui Asma , Hammouda Omar , Paineiras-Domingos Laisa Liane , Braakman-jansen Annemarie , Wrede Christian , Bastoni Sophia , Pernambuco Carlos Soares , Mataruna Leonardo , Taheri Morteza , Irandoust Khadijeh , Khacharem Aïmen , Bragazzi Nicola L , Chamari Karim , Glenn Jordan M , Bott Nicholas T , Gargouri Faiez , Chaari Lotfi , Batatia Hadj , Ali Gamal Mohamed , Abdelkarim Osama , Jarraya Mohamed , Abed Kais El , Souissi Nizar , Gemert-Pijnen Lisette Van , Bailey Stephen J , Moalla Wassim , Gómez-Raja Jonathan , Epstein Monique , Sanderman Robbert , Schulz Sebastian , Jerg Achim , Al-Horani Ramzi , Mansi Taysir , Jmail Mohamed , Barbosa Fernando , Santos Fernando , Šimunič Boštjan , Pišot Rado , Cowan Donald , Gaggioli Andrea , Steinacker Jürgen , Riemann Laurel , Riemann Bryan L , Mueller Notger , Driss Tarak , Hoekelmann Anita 
Published: May 2020

Background

Public health recommendations and government measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have enforced restrictions on daily living, which may include social distancing, remote work/school, and home confinement. While these measures are imperative to abate the spreading of COVID-19, the impact of these restrictions on mental health and emotional wellbeing is undefined. Therefore, an international online survey was launched on April 6, 2020 in seven languages to elucidate the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on mental health and emotional well-being. This report presents the preliminary results from the first thousand responders on mental wellbeing and mood and feelings questionnaires.

Methods

The ECLB-COVID19 electronic survey was designed by a steering group of multidisciplinary scientists and academics, following a structured review of the literature. The survey was uploaded and shared on the Google online survey platform. Thirty-five research organizations from Europe, North-Africa, Western Asia and the Americas promoted the multi-languages survey through their networks to general society. Of the 64 questions, 7 were from the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (SWEMWBS), and 13 were from the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ), which are both validated instruments.

Results

Analysis was conducted on the first 1047 replies (54% women) from Asia (36%), Africa (40%), Europe (21%) and other (3%). The COVID-19 home confinement had a negative effect on both mental wellbeing and on mood and feelings. Specifically, a significant decrease (p<0.001 and Δ%= 9.4 %) in the total score of mental wellbeing was noted. More individuals (+12.89%) reported a low mental wellbeing “during” compared to “before” home confinement. Furthermore, results from the mood and feelings questionnaire (i.e., depressive symptoms) showed a significant increase by 44.9% (p<0.001) in total score with more people (+10%) developing depressive symptoms “during” compared to “before” home confinement.

Conclusion

The ECLB-COVID19 survey revealed an increased psychosocial strain triggered by the enforced home confinement. To mitigate this high risk of mental disorders and to foster an Active and Healthy Confinement Lifestyle (AHCL), a crisis-oriented interdisciplinary intervention is urgently needed.