20 Dec 6 Introduction The outbreak of COVID-19 has influenced people’s health and general wellbeing.
6
Introduction
The outbreak of COVID-19 has influenced people’s health and general wellbeing. After the breakout, governments worldwide implemented drastic measures to contain its spread, including lockdowns, closure of businesses, and mandatory isolation. Therefore, people’s normal lifestyle was influenced by the disease and some government policies against the disease. Consequently, numerous studies have investigated the effects of COVID-19 on people’s physical and mental health. While California and Utah counties have recorded more than 50 percent vaccination, the citizens’ psychological impact due to isolation is evident. Therefore, this research paper will examine the effects of isolation policies on people’s mental health, specifically in California and Utah states.
Literature Review
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the everyday lives of all the global populations within a relatively short period. Lockdown and social isolation were some of the most significant measures implemented by governments to control the spread of COVID-19. The measure restricted people from moving from their homesteads, therefore, preventing contact with other people. Isolation has profound effects on human beings who are described as social beings. Quarantine measures include confinement in homes, banning public meetings, working from home, the school closure, avoiding contact with other people, and closing on non-essential businesses. Therefore, quarantine measures have profound effects on people’s social and emotional well-being.
Studies have been conducted to determine how covid-19 policies impact individuals’ mental health. The policies that researchers considered are those of social distancing and isolation. A study conducted by Chen et al. (2019) determined that long-term isolation influences young people’s mental health. The study determined that fear, anxiety, depression, and neurasthenia were the common mental health issues that resulted from long-term isolation (Chen et al., 2019).
These research findings are also supported by Kontoangelos et al. (2020). They conducted a literature review on sixty-five articles. They determined that the policies resulted in mental health issues such as anxiety, fear, and worry, especially in younger people, children, and older individuals. Farkhad & Albarracín (2021) carried out a study analyzing if there exists a relationship between covid-19 mitigation policies and the Google searches for terms associated with depression and anxiety. The authors determined a correlation between stay-at-home orders and the search for symptoms for mental health conditions. This research finding shows that these policies negatively impact the mental health of individuals.
Zhao et al. (2020) carried out a study using online surveys and telephone interviews to help determine social distancing and stay-at-home orders. The study determined that the persons who stayed at home for more extended periods due to stay-at-home orders exhibited an increased risk of depressive symptoms. The study also found that the vulnerable persons to mental health conditions are the elderly and the less educated adults (Zhao et al., 2020).
The article Mental health and health behaviors before and during the initial phase of the COVID-19 lockdown: longitudinal analyses of the UK Household Longitudinal Study compared the mental health and health behaviors of households before and during COVID-19 lockdown. This research showed that the COVID-19 lockdown measures had unintended health effects on populations. Using a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis, the researchers showed that the lockdown measures increased psychological distress after one month of isolation. Further, the research points out that women, young adults, and individuals of Asian background were highly affected. People complained of loneliness along with suicidal thoughts. The lockdown also increased people’s consumption of alcohol and other drugs to cope with loneliness (Niedzwiedz et al., 2021).
In another study, Singha et al. (2020) examined COVID-19’s effect on children and adolescents. The examination showed the gap in implementing the research about mental health needs for young adults. As a result, the lockdown measures and banning of public gatherings prevented children and young adults from socializing. Singh noted that social interactions are fundamental for children’s and adolescents’ mental wellbeing. The study also showed that the young adults were worried about discontinuing their studies, delaying graduation, and other academic events (Singha et al., 2021). Generally, lockdown measures increased the levels of perceived stress increasing people’s vulnerability to mental disorders.
This research will evaluate the effects of COVID-19 isolation policies on California and Utah residents. The two states had a difference in how they handled the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, they have different government policies regarding restrictions in the respective COVID-19 regulations, which likely resulted in different perceptions and experiences among residents. Therefore, the research will compare the differences in depression and anxiety in both states and the relationship between these and before respective governments’ responses to the pandemic.
Research questions
The research will specifically seek to answer the following questions; How do the COVID-19 isolation policies psychologically affect the residents in California and Utah differently? Do the psychological effects of the COVID-19 quarantine measures differ between males and females in California and Utah?
Hypothesis
Men are more likely to develop depression and anxiety conditions than women
Residents of California is more likely to develop depression and anxiety than residents of Utah.
Residents of Utah is less likely to support Covid-19 restrictions than residents of California
Justification
I am selecting online surveys as the method for data collection first, to avoid the spread of Covid-19 and adhere to these two states rules and regulations. Second, it is more convenient for the participants out of state. Also, surveys are less costly method of data collection that will take a small amount of time to fit within my budget and time frame for the study.
Methods
In order to get better insight into the COVID-19 isolation policies, the study will be conducted equally divided that might take around 2-3 weeks due to the limitation of time.
Participants
Data will be collected from 30 California and Utah States participants. Fifteen participants will be drawn from California, while the other 15 will be Utah residents. The research will include both men and women, and the participants range from 18-65+ years old. The research will consider the participants’ racial backgrounds. The participants’ education level will range from high school to post-graduate studies. Participants will be interviewed through phone, online forums, and face-to-face depending on preference and proximity.
Procedures
As the COVID-19 restrictions reduce the researcher’s freedom of movement and interaction, most research will be conducted through phone interviews and online surveys. Online survey will be conducted for participants living in the community and have ties with family members and friends in the two states. Most of the interviews will administer online through email or any social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram). The research will employ the convenience sampling method to provide a diverse range of ages, sex, gender race etc., A convenience sampling to collect data with participants in any area. The interviews time/days to be conducted is pending. The questionnaire is contained in the appendix.
Ethic
The participants will be informed of the purposes and procedures of the survey. If necessary, instructions will be repeated at the begging of each survey. Each participant will be required to read, understand, and sign the Informed Consent Form; all procedures information will be transparent and honest. Participants’ information will be kept private, and all the information gathered will only be used for the intended purpose of the research. Before conducting the research, approval will be sought from the University. For confidentiality and security purposes, I will make sure I assign ID numbers to the survey instead of direct names. The consent form is contained in the appendix.
In addition, the participant rights and privacy will be ensured by ensuring that the participants sign a privacy and confidentiality form.
Analysis
The study will be quantitative research and will only use an online survey as the data collection method. Data collected from the two states will be analyzed through constant comparative, a type of associational measuring two groups. The participants are not manipulated within the two states; I will be looking for the relationship between the state of residence and the level of depression, anxiety, and government policies. The results will be analyzed through descriptive statistics, and the scores for each variable will be collected, recorded, and tallied to calculate the mean, median, and standard deviation. The means of the above variables will be compared through a t-test to detect any significant differences.
References
Chen, B., Sun, J., & Feng, Y. (2020). How have COVID-19 isolation policies affected young people’s mental health?–Evidence from Chinese college students. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 1529.
Farkhad, B. F., & Albarracín, D. (2021). Insights on the implications of COVID-19 mitigation measures for mental health. Economics & Human Biology, 40, 100963.
Kontoangelos, K., Economou, M., & Papageorgiou, C. (2020). Mental health effects of COVID-19 pandemia: a review of clinical and psychological traits. Psychiatry Investigation, 17(6), 491.
Niedzwiedz, C. L., Green, M. J., Benzeval, M., Campbell, D., Craig, P., Demou, E., . . . Katikiredd, S. V. (2021). Mental health and health behaviors before and during the initial phase of the COVID-19 lockdown: longitudinal analyses of the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Journal of Epidemiol Community Health, 224-231.
Singha, S., Royb, D., Sinhac, K., Parveenc, S., Sharmac, G., & Joshic, G. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on the mental health of children and adolescents: A narrative review with recommendations. Psychiatry Research, 293-315.
Wang, Y., Shi, L., Que, J., Lu, Q., Liu, L., Lu, Z., … & Shi, J. (2021). The impact of quarantine on mental health status among the general population in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Molecular psychiatry, 1-10.
Zhao, S. Z., Wong, J. Y. H., Wu, Y., Choi, E. P. H., Wang, M. P., & Lam, T. H. (2020). Social distancing compliance under COVID-19 pandemic and mental health impacts: a population-based study. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(18), 6692.
APPENDIX (A)
CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE
Respondent ID # _______
I really appreciate your participation as part of the student’s class projects for the course Research and Evaluation. Your participation in this project may involve answering brief survey-type questions, being observed in my normal day-to-day behavior, and responding to a few in-depth interview questions. The topics covered will include basic demographic information and my opinions concerning a variety of topical issues and events.
All data collected is only for the purposes of demonstrating research methods for course instructional purposes. Neither your name nor any uniquely identifying information will be tied to your responses, and that these data will never be presented in any professional or scientific format outside of the classroom. You may terminate this survey at any time, survey will be destroyed. The research should be low impact in nature and is not expected to lead to any significant harm nor benefit to you.
By completing and returning this questionnaire to me, you have consented to participate in this research.
Thank you for your participation.
_____I understand and wish to participate.
I do NOT wish to participate.
Signed: Date: __________________
Appendix (B)
Please answer the questions below
1. What state you live in?
___California
___Utah
2. What is your gender?
___Male
___Female
3. What is your age?
___18-20
___21-25
___26-30
___31-35
___36-40
___41-45
___46-50
___51+
4. What is your race/ethnicity?
___White/Caucasian
___Black/African American
___Hispanic
___Asian/Asian American
___Native American
___Other
5. What is your highest education level?
___High school
___Some college
___Bachelors completed
___Some Master/in the process
___Master completed +
6. What is your political affiliation?
___Democrat
___Republican
___Independent
___Other
7. Before the pandemic how would you rate your social life?
___ 1 Not at all active
___ 2 somewhat active
___ 3 moderately active
___ 4 very active
___ 5 Extremely active
8. How would rate your social life now?
___ 1 Not at all active
___ 2 Somewhat active
___ 3 Moderately active
___ 4 Very active
___ 5 Extremely active
9. Over the past year, how would you rate from normal to severe the following problems?
a. Feeling down
___Normal
___Mild
___Moderate
___Severe
b. Feeling tired
___Normal
___Mild
___Moderate
___Severe
c. Poor appetite or overeating
___Normal
___Mild
___Moderate
___Severe
d. Trouble sleeping
___Normal
___Mild
___Moderate
___Severe
10. Over the past year, how would you rate from normal to severe the following problems?
a. Nervous
___Normal
___Mild
___Moderate
___Severe
b. Difficulty concentrating
___Normal
___Mild
___Moderate
___Severe
c. Feeling afraid
___Normal
___Mild
___Moderate
___Severe
d. Becoming easily annoyed or irritable
___Normal
___Mild
___Moderate
___Severe
11. To what extend do you agree or disagree with Covid-19 policies and regulations enacted by state government?
___Strongly agree
___Agree
___Neutral
___Disagree
___Strongly disagree
12. How confident you feel in your ability to handle living through the pandemic?
___ Not at all confident
___ Somewhat confident
___ Moderately confident
___ Very confident
___ Extremely confident
