ORCID Identifiers
Document Type
Article
Source of Publication
PLoS ONE
Publication Date
3-1-2021
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is a major health crisis that has changed the life of millions globally. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the pandemic on mental health and quality of life among the general population in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. A total of 6142 adults from eighteen countries within the MENA region completed an online questionnaire between May and June 2020. Psychological impact was assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the social and family support impact was assessed with questions from the Perceived Support Scale (PSS). The IES-R mean score was 29.3 (SD = 14.8), corresponding to mild stressful impact with 30.9% reporting severe psychological impact. Most participants (45%-62%) felt horrified, apprehensive, or helpless due to COVID-19. Furthermore, over 40% reported increased stress from work and financial matters. Higher IES-R scores were found among females, participants aged 26-35 years, those with lower educational level, and participants residing in the North Africa region (p<0.005). About 42% reported receiving increased support from family members, 40.5% were paying more attention to their mental health, and over 40% reported spending more time resting since the pandemic started. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with mild psychological impact while it also encouraged some positive impact on family support and mental health awareness among adults in the MENA region. Clinical interventions targeted towards vulnerable groups such as females and younger adults are needed.
DOI Link
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Volume
16
Issue
3 March
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
Keywords
Pandemics, COVID 19, Mental health and psychiatry, Clinical psychology, Physical activity
Scopus ID
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Al Dhaheri, Ayesha S.; Bataineh, Mo'Ath F.; Mohamad, Maysm N.; Ajab, Abir; Al Marzouqi, Amina; Jarrar, Amjad H.; Habib-Mourad, Carla; Jamous, Dima O.Abu; Ali, Habiba I.; Al Sabbah, Haleama; Hasan, Hayder; Stojanovska, Lily; Hashim, Mona; Elhameed, Osama A.Abd; Obaid, Reyad R.Shaker; ElFeky, Samar; Saleh, Sheima T.; Osaili, Tareq M.; and Ismail, Leila Cheikh, "Impact of COVID-19 on mental health and quality of life: Is there any effect? A crosssectional study of the MENA region" (2021). All Works. 4112.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/4112
Indexed in Scopus
yes
Open Access
yes
Open Access Type
Gold: This publication is openly available in an open access journal/series