Comparative Assessment of the Impact of Psychological Stressors Associated with New Coronavirus Infection Pandemic on Mentally Healthy Persons and Patients with Mental and Behavioral Disorders

Background: current scientific publications describe the various effects of psychological stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. Among them are the such factors as fear of death from infection, concern for loved ones, isolation mode, use of personal protective equipment, information overload The effect of these stressors on the condition of persons with a previously diagnosed mental disorder is less studied. Objective: to study and compare the impact of psychological stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental state of healthy individuals and patients with a previously established diagnosis of mental and behavioral disorders. Patients, Comparison Group and Methods: the author developed a questionnaire “Assessment of the impact of environmental factors on mental health”, which included a total of 67 questions and consisted of several sections, one of which included questions characterizing the impact of psychological stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. A survey of 1038 adult residents (510 patients with mental and behavioral disorders and 528 healthy persons) was conducted on voluntary terms. The following experimental psychological methods were used: the Spielberger-Khanin scale, the scales for determining dysfunctional anxiety and fear associated with COVID-19 — the CAS scale and the C19P-SR scale (the FCS-19 scale validated in the Russian Federation). An analysis of 510 outpatient records of patients with mental and behavioral disorders who participated in the study was also conducted in order to assess the impact of these stressors on the course of mental illness. Results: the negative impact of psychological stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental state of patients suffering from mental and behavioral disorders has been proven. Conclusion: results of study could be basic for preventive measures as well as for prospective research of pandemic COVID-19 consequences for mental health.

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