AUTHOR=Kim Sun Ju 

TITLE=Impact of mental health, fear, and social support on quality of life among patients with severe mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic: a questionnaire survey study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1633781

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1633781

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=PurposeThis study aimed to assess levels of anxiety, depression, stress, fear, social support, and QoL among patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder receiving treatment at a national forensic psychiatric hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2021 using a structured self-report questionnaire. Participants provided informed consent, and institutional ethical approval was obtained. Data were analyzed to examine associations among anxiety, depression, stress, fear, social support, and QoL outcomes.ResultsAmong the participants, 13.2% reported moderate-to-severe anxiety and 22.1% showed moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms. The average stress score was 15.63 ± 5.43, and the mean fear score was 14.13 ± 5.71, with 15.4% scoring above the clinical threshold. Perceived social support was moderate, with mean scores from healthcare providers (18.72 ± 6.43), family (18.79 ± 7.97), and friends (16.26 ± 7.46).ConclusionThe findings highlight the compounded psychological burden experienced by institutionalized patients with SMIs during a pandemic. These results underscore the need for targeted nursing interventions and psychosocial support strategies within forensic psychiatric settings to improve QoL and mental well-being during public health emergencies.