Relashionship between Mental health, perception of illness and perceived social support in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19

Patients after diagnosis of COVID-19 may have psychological problems. Illness perceptions and social support can play an important role in individuals’ health and the effects of stress. This study aimed to determine the relationship between mental health, perception of illness and perceived social support in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19.

The present study is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in 2020. 143 patients with coronavirus who met the inclusion criteria participated in this study. Inclusion criteria are age over 18 years, full consciousness, lack of physical and mental disabilities, diagnosis of coronavirus with the approval of an infectious disease specialist, no history of mental disorders, the ability to communicate with the researcher. Data collection tools were the 21-item depression, anxiety, and stress scale, Zimet’s multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and the brief illness perception questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS 26.

The average score of depression, anxiety, and stress for all participants with coronavirus was 8.12±7.12, 11.74±6.02, and 13.92±6.80, respectively. 30.1% of the participants had high illness perception and 59.4% had high social support level. The multiple linear regression model showed illness perception and social support were associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. Drug history was associated with depression and anxiety. Oxygen saturation was associated with anxiety and stress (P<0.05).

In general depression, anxiety, and stress in patients with Covid 19 are associated with the perception of illness and social support, which is more strongly associated with social support.