The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions on people with pre-existent mental health conditions: A scoping review.
Louise Murphy, Kathleen Markey, Claire O' Donnell and 2 others
PMID 34176579WHAT IT FOUND
Most people with pre-existing mental health conditions experienced worsened anxiety, depression, and distress during COVID-19 restrictions.
However, some studies found stability or even improved well-being. Nurses delivering patient care must monitor for both deterioration and resilience.
Key findings
01The most commonly reported effect of the pandemic and restrictions was the exacerbation and deterioration of symptoms associated with pre-existing mental health conditions.
02Pandemic-related restrictions led to frustration, loneliness, increased social isolation, and reduced access to face-to-face mental health services.
03A small number of studies reported minimal impact on mental health conditions, with some individuals showing resilience or stable symptoms during the early stages of restrictions.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The review did not appraise the quality of the included studies, so the strength of evidence for each finding is unknown. Only English-language papers were included, potentially missing relevant global perspectives. The search was limited to the first year of the pandemic (2020), so longer-term effects and later variants are not captured. Included studies varied widely in design (cross-sectional, longitudinal, qualitative) and population, making direct comparison difficult. Several included studies relied on self-reported measures rather than clinical diagnosis.
Declared interests
None declared. The research was not part of a funded project.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that all patients with pre-existing mental health conditions will deteriorate during public health restrictions. While most reported worsened symptoms, some studies found stability or resilience. Individual assessment is required rather than applying a blanket expectation of decline.