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19-Sep-2022
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Arch Hellen Med, 39(5),September-October 2022, 654-661 ORGINIAL PAPER Anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among partners during COVID-19 lockdown P. Κaramouzi,
A. Blekas,
E. Parlapani,
V.A. Nikopoulou,
V. Holeva,
V. Tsipropoulou, |
OBJECTIVE Τo investigate the psychological impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine measures on people who were experiencing conflict in their relationships with their co-habiting partners in Greece.
METHOD A total of 2,998 participants completed four questionnaires: the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), the Brief Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI), and the Post-Τraumatic Stress Disorder-8 items (PTSD-8). The quality of the bond between partners before and during the lockdown was assessed with two items exploring relationship quality.
RESULTS A subsample of 145 respondents (4.8%) reported that the quality of their intimate relationship worsened during the lockdown. Roughly 5% of the subsample reported being in true danger, and 85% reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, and 50% moderate to severe depressive symptoms, while 17.6% met the criteria for probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
CONCLUSIONS In addition to the psychological burden attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the related restriction measures, this study underscores the importance of investigating additional psychosocial factors affecting individuals, and couples, during lockdown.
Key words: Anxiety, Couples, COVID-19, Depression, PTSD.