Impact of Lockdown Restrictions on Mental Well-being in Adult Population not Infected with Covid-19

Abstract

The worldwide effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to considerable physical and psychological strain. To curb the transmission of the virus, India implemented a nationwide lockdown, which created new challenges to mental health. The objective of this research is to investigate the mental health challenges faced by individuals in India during the nationwide lockdown. A prospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 participants in the physiology department of MGM Medical College and Hospital. The study used the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 questionnaire to assess participants’ levels of depression, anxiety, and stress before and during the lockdown in two age groups: 19–30 and 31–50 years. The results indicated a significant increase in depression, anxiety, and stress levels during the lockdown compared to before it. The findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown had a profound negative impact on the mental health of the participants.