The COVID-19 pandemic has hit almost all countries around the globe, seriously affecting the welfare of populations. Multiculturally populated, Canada is also moderately hit. In this context, the purpose of the present study is to analyze the psychosocial correlates of well-being and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in a faith-based community residing in Canada. The sample of this cross-sectional study consists of 98 participants aged 18 or older at-risk from immigrant and refugee population living in Vancouver. It is important to note that such disasters invariably affect the vulnerable population disproportionately.
Data were collected during May 2020 with the aid of a self-constructed open-ended questionnaire. Bivariate correlation coefficients were calculated to address the association between the study variables. The majority of the survey participants were family-oriented; the survey results show that the impacts of COVID 19 were negative or neutral related to loneliness, sleep deprivation, highlighted the need for counseling. , and a follow-up survey to build further evidence of its impact. Results showed a mild to moderate level of stress. The considerations to counseling plans and mental health services are needed and a follow-up survey to build further evidence of its impact.
Situational Context
The world has been struck by a terrible pandemic- COVID 19 in recent years, and it is spreading rapidly. In December 2019, this novel Coronavirus- COVID 19 apparently, started from Wuhan, China. With every passing minute, the number of sufferers increased (Remuzzi and Remuzzi, 2020; World Health Organization [WHO], 2020b; Zu et al., 2020). Almost all countries worldwide have been affected by COVID-19, impacting the socio-economic conditions and informed emergency response mounted.
The pandemic has severely damaged economic, social and public health systems, placing the welfare state at significant risk (Alvarez et al., 2020; Riou & Althaus, 2020). It is spreading across the world like wildfire, making it a most alarming situation. The virus spreads through droplet infection because of closer physical contact of the infected patient with the vulnerable. The droplets of water released by the infected patient while coughing and sneezing and by physical touch to surfaces previously touched by infected patients carry the virus (World Health Organization [WHO], 2020a). Results show that among people, interventions like lock-down and social distancing to help contain the pandemic to an extent, such stringent measures constrained the communities' social life. These measures severely impacted society as a whole, with significant implications in terms of psychological and socio-economic well-being (Anderson et al., 2020; Chatterjee et al., 2020; Ho et al., 2020).
A vast number of studies have found significant improvements in people's mental health and well-being through counseling in times of instability such as natural disasters, economic crises, and severe health threats ( Kramer and Bala, 2004; Afifi et al., 2012). Not everybody at the same stage appears to be affected by the effects of a pandemic on mental health. A study conducted during the 2007 influenza pandemic in Australia found that this effect could be compounded by younger age (Afifi et al., 2012; Anderson et al., 2020; Chatterjee et al., 2020), lower educational status, female gender, and having children (Taylor et al., 2008).
The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which the person realizes his or her abilities, can cope with life's normal stresses, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community" (World Health Organization, 2004). Well-being, however, is a vital component of mental health (Galderisi et al., 2015). In terms of enjoyment and pain, the hedonic well-being approach describes well-being (Ryan and Deci, 2001), taking into account emotions such as satisfaction, sorrow, frustration, tension, and pain. Results show that by measuring positive and negative experiences in people's everyday lives (Diener et al., 1985b; Keyes et al., 2002; Kahneman et al., 2004; Steptoe et al., 2015).
For all these reasons, the present study aims to analyze social and demographic correlations of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in the population residing in Canada.
Survey Methodology
This report is based on an informal survey designed by a team aspiring to support vulnerable communities. Data were gathered through the online survey made available to the faith-based immigrant community. The survey comprised of multiple-choice questions and a few open-ended items to address an individual’s mental state, coping strategies and precautions related to COVID-19. The survey was sent out through a liaison person in the community. The survey did not record any personal information, and participants were informed before-hand that the survey does not promise any benefits. The Ninety-eight survey participants voluntarily responded to the survey constituting 70% male and 29% females; aged between 18-70 years.
Results and Discussion
The current study's responses show that male participants are reporting higher than females with a percentage of 70. The results showed that most of the respondents suggested using all preventive measures (85 %) to protect themselves from being infected by Coronavirus, including personal hygiene, protective measures, and maintaining social distance. Most of the respondents (45 %) reported that they are feeling negative about this pandemic because their daily routines were disturbed badly, affected their social relations, and they feel the need for socialization.
Regarding mental health (31 %), respondents were affected, and most of the participants (46%) had some unknown fears, (35) were experiencing some level of stress, and (25%) reported nervousness. Among them, 17% were feeling lonely, and 19% were not able to sleep properly. These findings suggest that individuals were affected from mild to a high level of psychological issues. Some of the respondents suggested activities that can help cope with this situation, i.e., engaging in family activities, giving more time to families, reading books, and taking proper sleep. Most of the participants suggested that they were getting more inclined toward religious activities. The ultimate feelings were that happiness is decreasing because of a lack of productive daily engagement, and they have started feeling anxiety and stress.
Bivariate correlation coefficients were computed to see the associations between different study variables. Initially, it was assumed that COVID 19 was negatively associated with individual relationships with her/his immediate family. Still, the result shows that feelings about the COVID 19 positively related to feelings of loneliness, sleep deprivation, and the need for counseling to underpin the demand for mental health... Similarly, preventive measures adopted by the present study participants were positively associated with the need for socialization.
At the same time, the level of comfort from the preventive measures taken by the study participants was positively related to the normality of level of work in the present circumstances and was negatively associated with the disturbance in an individuals' routine. Accordingly, it has been reported that the effect of COVID 19 was negatively associated with the sleep patterns, while positively correlated with the level of fear and stress, need for socialization, and the impact on the social relations, which had an ultimate effect on the well-being and mental health of a person (Galderisi et al., 2015).
The need for socialization is positively associated with the need for counseling and improved mental health and well-being. In alliance, it could be established that Covid-19 becomes a pandemic now, and all required actions should be taken at the local, regional and global levels (Wang, Horby, Hayden &Gao, 2020). In developed countries, the government's economic support release the financial burden and stress for the people; however, in underdeveloped nations with feeble healthcare systems and the helplessness to endure a 'global lockdown' will not be capable of combatting this menace alone and will need international support.
It's time to revisit our priorities; people could be motivated to establish an online cafe to talk and share their feelings. Respondents reported that health care and work productivity were sufficient for the majority as they were are getting used to the norms, such as keeping social distance. They further reported that they were learning about this new pandemic phenomenon. Post-Covid lifestyles need to adapt to this unique yet evolving situation as it impacts every aspect of our lives. The present study is based on preliminary primary data. Using this as a baseline, future studies need to address the details like the severity of mental health like COVID-related interpersonal relationships within the family and domestic violence. The most important is to see the child & adolescent -centered mental health issues – a subgroup of population relatively more vulnerable to the prevailing pandemic of COVID 19.
