Sapporo Medical Journal

Abstract : Introduction  The 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic is reported to have an adverse psychological impact. There is paucity of data concerning the psychosocial effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with mental health diseases. Objective This study aims to investigate the psychological impact of COVID-19 among the general population compared to individuals who have been diagnosed with a mental health disease. Methods  A cross-sectional study was conducted in early 2021 using a self-administered questionnaire. Respondents completed a modified and translated form of the COVID-19 Pandemic Mental Health Questionnaire (CoPaQ) that assessed the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Results and Discussion A total of 287 respondents (160 males and 127 females) completed the survey. Of the 287 respondents, 74 reported having been diagnosed with a mental health disease. Nearly a quarter of respondents (24%) reported that a family member had died due to COVID-19. On the impact of the COVID-19 scale, the items were rated as extremely distressing by 10.8% to 33.4%. Female gender, low monthly income, mental health diagnosis, and a high number of risk factors for a severe COVID-19 infection negatively influenced the respondents’ rated distress scores.  Conclusions   The burden of mental health disease increases during an isolating time such as a pandemic. Online psychological interventions should be designed.