A Narrative Thematic Analysis of the perceived psychological distress and health outcomes in Indian adults during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

COVID-19 represents a severe, novel, and harmful disease that posed worldwide new challenges to the well-being of people and culminated in negative life outcomes. The current study explored the perceived psychological distress and consequent health outcomes caused by COVID-19. The Narrative Thematic Analysis design was employed. Eighteen participants comprising 12 males and 6 females responded about their experiences of the recent outbreak of COVID-19. The data were collected through a telephonic semi-structured interview which was analyzed through the Thematic Analysis Method. Four themes were generated: maladaptive psychological outcomes of COVID-19, perceived poor social support, increased religious practices, and the development of physical health symptoms. Extreme anxiety, panic experiences, insecurity, helplessness, hyper-vigilance, and negative attributions represented the psychological distress, while decreased social interactions and imposed social distancing characterized the perceived social support. Increased reliance on myths, divine interpretations, and faith in God showed religious practices. Decreased hunger, insomnia, headache, breathing problems, and palpitation were some ill-health outcomes. The pandemic shaped the nature and extent of perceived psychological distress, social support, and religious practices. The first two may have caused negative health and well-being outcomes while the religious practices maintained equilibrium among the rest three. Immediate trans-disciplinary efforts for the effective prevention, treatment, and promotion of the affected people are recommended. Positive health practices embedded in different socio-cultural systems may also be explored to help people facing the negative consequences of the recent and future pandemics. The implications and limitations of the study have been discussed.