An Analysis of the Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Vulernable Populations in Jamaica Restricted; Files Only
Miller, Shenae (Summer 2021)
Abstract
Pandemics can have a traumatic effect on human mental health, and an increase in stigma, anxiety, fear and violent acts are some of the psychosocial consequences of health emergencies (Chatterjee et al., 2020). This paper proposes that there are varied factors related to mental health impacts and social vulnerabilities caused by health emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic has gravely affected physically disabled people, mentally ill people, and aging populations. In Jamaica, there is limited documentation of the experiences and coping strategies among people in vulnerable groups who are disproportionately affected by health emergencies. Anxiety and depression amongst vulnerable populations increase, especially during pandemics, and the rate of these issues is further affected by their socioeconomic status (Xiong et al., 2020).
According to the WHO, as at June 19, there have been 49,607 cases of COVID-19, with 1031 deaths and 28,465 recoveries in Jamaica (WHO, 2020). There is limited research on the mental health impacts on vulnerable groups during epidemics. Evidence gathered from primarily global literature sources during the COVID-19 pandemic showed that older persons, those with underlying mental health conditions, and persons with disabilities were at higher risk of infection due to limited mobility, difficulty understanding information, or practicing preventive measures (Cullen et al., 2020). Vulnerable populations are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19, and they have more severe and more insufficient health consequences from COVID-19. (James, 2020).
To further understand mental health issues and coping strategies, we will analyze the available literature on the mental health impacts faced by three distinct vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to explore the lived experiences and coping mechanisms of vulnerable groups in Jamaica during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The research questions include:
1. What are the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable populations?
2. How do people in vulnerable groups manage depressive symptoms, anxiety, worry, and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic?
3. How do support groups for people in vulnerable populations help prevent negative mental health impacts associated with the pandemic?
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 3
CHAPTER 1.2 PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES 4
CHAPTER 1.3 AGE AND DISABILITY 6
CHAPTER 1.4 IMPACT ON THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH 7
CHAPTER 1.5 IMPACT AND COPING WITH MENTAL HEALTH 7
CHAPTER 1.6 PEOPLE WITH UNDERLYING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES 7
CHAPTER 2 METHODOLOGY 8
CHAPTER 2.1 STUDY DESIGN AND SAMPLE SELECTION 8
CHAPTER 2. 2 TARGET POPULATION 8
CHAPTER 2.3 AVAILABLE POPULATION 8
CHAPTER 2.4 THE INCLUSION CRITERIA 9
CHAPTER 2.5 EXCLUSION CRITERIA 9
. 9
CHAPTER 2.6 DATA COLLECTION 9
CHAPTER 2.7 DATA MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS 9
CHAPTER 2.8 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS 10
CHAPTER 2.9 DATA ANALYSIS SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS 10
CHAPTER 2.10 ANALYSIS AND RESULTS 10
CHAPTER 2.11 EMOTIONAL RESPONSE 11
CHAPTER 2.12 SUPPORT MECHANISMS AND INTERVENTIONS 13
CHAPTER 2.13 NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT 14
CHAPTER 2.14 COPING STRATEGIES 15
CHAPTER 2.15 COMMUNICATION 16
CHAPTER 2.16 ANALYSIS OF INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTS 17
CHAPTER 2.17 COVID19 IMPACTS ON MENTAL HEALTH OF VULNERABLE PEOPLE 17
CHAPTER 2.17.1 Figure 1: Perception of Risk of Contracting COVID-19 17
CHAPTER 2.17.2 Figure 2: Reasons for Being on Risk of COVID-19 18
CHAPTER 2.17.3 Figure 3: Impact on Mental Health of Vulnerable People 19
CHAPTER 2.17.4 Figure 4: Ways to Manage Depressive Symptoms 20
CHAPTER 2.17.5 Figure 5: Challenges to Support Groups 21
CHAPTER 2.17.6 Figure 6: Support Group Assistance to Vulnerable People 22
CHAPTER 2.17.7 Figure 7: Challenges to Vulnerable People Reached out by Support Groups 23
CHAPTER 2.17.8 Figure 8: Lessons Learned by Support Groups 23
CHAPTER 2.17.9 Figure 9: Source of COVID-19 Related Information for Vulnerable People 24
CHAPTER 2.17.10 Figure 10: Credible or Influencing Source of COVID-19 Related Information for Vulnerable People 25
CHAPTER 2.17.11 Figure 11: Frequency of COVID-19 Related Information 25
CHAPTER 2.17.12 Figure 12: Adequacy of COVID-19 Related Information 26
CHAPTER 2.17.13 Figure 13: Attempts to Address Special Needs of Vulnerable Groups 26
CHAPTER 2.17.14 Figure 14: Impact of COVID-19 on Vulnerable People 27
CHAPTER 2.17.15 Figure 15: Behavioral Changes with COVID-19 Transmissions 28
CHAPTER 2.17.16 Figure 16: Triggers of Change 28
CHAPTER 2.17.17 Figure 17: Adopting Self-efficacy and Preventive Measures 29
CHAPTER 2.17.18 Figure 18: Most Effective Ways to Cope with COVID-19 29
CHAPTER 2.17.19 Figure 19: Easiest COVID-19 Preventive Measure 30
CHAPTER 2.17.20 Figure 20: Hardest COVID-19 Preventive Measure 30
CHAPTER 2.17.21 Figure 21: Barriers to Change Behavior to Respond COVID-19 31
CHAPTER 3 DISCUSSION 31
CHAPTER 3.1 IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH 31
CHAPTER 3.2 MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT OF SPECIAL POPULATIONS 31
CHAPTER 3.3 MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON VULNERABLE POPULATION 32
CHAPTER 4 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 33
REFERENCES 34
About this Master's Thesis
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