Covid 19 and the Impact on Mental Health: A Qualitative Study on Psychological Experience of Caregivers

This report analyses the psychological experience of caregivers of Covid-19 patients and the impact of Covid-19 on mental health. It discusses the importance of research in health and social care, characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research, and compares and contrasts research methods. The report also provides key findings from two articles and recommendations.

COVID-19 AND THE
IMPACT ON MENTAL
HEALTH

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
1. Justification of the topic along with significance or importance of the topic chosen and what
NHS depicts about the topic........................................................................................................3
2. Importance of research in health and social care ....................................................................4
3. Characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research ..........................................................5
4- Introducing articles; key author and key findings from article 1 and 2...................................7
5- Comparing and contrasting research methods & discuss reliability & validity in both
articles..........................................................................................................................................7
6- Key findings of both articles...................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
RECOMMENDATION.................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Covid – 19 and its impact on mental health is very negative as is affecting the individuals
and is analysing the health of the patients within health and social care setting (Wu and et.al.,
2020). National Health Service (NHS) is the publicly funded health care system of UK.
The research report will analyse the justification for the topic which is qualitative study on
psychological experience of caregivers of Covid – 19 patients. along with its significance and
importance. Importance of research in health and social care will be described with the evidence
based health and social care practice. Further, characteristics of health and social care will be
framed. The two articles which are – psychological experience of caregivers of Covid - 19
patients and the second article which is Covid – 19 impact on mental health of patients will
address the key findings. Comparing of the research methods by discussing the validity and
reliability of both the articles will be done. Moreover, key findings of the research will be
addressed and found along with stating the recommendation in the report.
MAIN BODY
1. Justification of the topic along with significance or importance of the topic chosen and what
NHS depicts about the topic
The topic which has been chosen is qualitative study on the psychological experience of
caregivers of Covid - 19 patients. The topic helps in knowing that how the patients are affected
by the Covid - 19 effects. The topic justifies that how the patients are affected by the negative
impacts of Covid -19. This helps in addressing the aspect that how effectively and in efficient
manner the patients are to be taken care of (Sun and et.al., 2020). The topic justifies the
qualitative study on the psychological experience of the care givers of Covid -19 patients.
The significance and importance of the topic which has been chosen depicts that what is
the psychological concern of the care givers of Covid -19 patients and how care is being
provided to them at large scale and in an effective and significant manner. Covid – 19 has
impacted the patients and care givers psychology and their experience in dealing with the Covid
– 19 pandemic (Pollock and et.al., 2020). The topic helps in providing the understanding of the
psychological thinking and the behaviour towards how effectively the care services are to be
provided to the patients in an appropriate manner within the care setting. This topic is very
important as it helps in knowing the psychological experience of the caregivers while taking care
of the patients in the care setting.

NHS depicts about the psychological experience of the care givers of Covid – 19 patients.
Due to sudden outbreak of epidemic, the caregivers within NHS had faced the negative impacts
as they had faced the psychology of how the patients are to be addressed and the patients being
psychologically affected. There is negative pressure on the caregivers to take care of the patients
affected by Covid – 19 pandemic. This has become the major pressure created on the NHS
caregivers. Nurses and caregivers are required to go through the training stages which makes
them mentally pressurized and this affects their psychological behaviour towards the patients.
This qualitative study included the psychiatrist, mental health nurses, clinical psychologists and
psychotherapists (Skouteris, 2021). There has been the large impact on the patients and the care
givers while taking care of the patients in an appropriate manner. The psychological experience
of the caregivers helps in understanding that there has been negative impact on the patients due
to Covid – 19. There has been emotional exhaustion, detachment from the work and duties which
are to be delivered by caregivers to the patients of Covid – 19 in NHS. There is a sense of low
person accomplishment which is faced by the caregivers by their daily exhaustive activities
which they are performing within NHS.
2. Importance of research in health and social care
This qualitative study and research has been conducted to analyse the psychological
experience of caregivers in taking care of the Covid – 19 patients. This research plays an
important part in health and social care it creates an understanding of the aspects of how the
patients and caregivers are taking concern of improving their mental health by involving into
actively participating into the activities. Qualitative research helps in collecting and analysing the
data and concepts which addresses the information regarding the psychological experience of
caregivers in taking care of the Covid -19 patients (Benton and et.al., 2020). The research
practice helps in addressing the aspects as to how the treatment is provided to the patients having
Covid -19. The evidence based practice in the health and social care encompasses the treatment
decisions which are taken to understand and analyse the aspects of how effectively and in
appropriate manner the decisions are taken into consideration. Their base is on the clinical
expertise and the preferences of the patient with the best available patients.
In health and social care there are three types of knowledge which is based on the evidence
of how the research is being conducted. The best knowledge is made available from the research

which helps in addressing the knowledge based on the evidence collected for the research
(Rogers and Power, 2020). The evidence through which the information of health and social care
is made available helps in addressing the aspects of creating the significance of evidence which
is collected through patients support groups, clinical search engines, professional organizations
such as NHS which follows certain rules and regulations addressing the aspects as to how the
evidence based research is conducted for health and social care. There are also networks and
libraries which helps in collecting the data and information at large scale in an appropriate
manner within the health and social care.
The research findings inform the practice in positive manner which helps in addressing
the knowledge about the qualitative study being conducted for the psychological experience of
caregivers while taking care of the Covid -19 patients. The research findings help in addressing
that the caregivers are talking concern of the aspects as to how effectively and in efficient
manner their mental health is affected while taking care of the patients suffering from Covid – 19
(Chandra and Shang, 2019). Example - The research findings suggest that self – efficacy,
resilience, optimism are correlated and are connected to each other for the psychological
preparedness and the psychological experience which addresses to the caregivers taking care of
the patients suffering from the Covid -19 pandemic. Thus, there are aspects as to how this
qualitative research is conducted which helps in addressing the information which has been
gathered and the data which is collected at large scale.
3. Characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research
Qualitative research method is defined as the data obtained by the researcher from first –
hand observation questionnaires, focus groups, interviews etc. It is the research which is done by
analysing and collecting the data which is non – numerical to understand opinions, concepts and
experiences. This helps in addressing the aspects as to how effectively and in appropriate manner
the research is being done (Nassaji, 2020).
There are some major characteristics of qualitative research which are addressed as –
 The research helps in understanding the attitudes of the respondents.
 Qualitative research helps in saving the money within the research which is being
conducted.

 It helps in providing the insights which are specific within the health and social care
industry.
 There is lot of creativity which is attained by the qualitative research method when
undertaken.
 This process which is in qualitative research is open ended.
 It helps in incorporating the experience of the individuals.
The data is collected in qualitative research through observation, interviews which is individual
or group, textual or visual analysis. The data collected in the health and social care are through
focus groups and interviews. The reliability and validity in qualitative research is described as –
Reliability in the quantitative research is referred to as the responses which are stable to
the data sets which are aligned in multiple number (Duncan and et.al., 2018). Reliability is
enhanced by detail notes which are incurred in the analysis of using the recording devices by the
files which are framed digitally. Validity within qualitative research represents the truthfulness
of the findings after the analysis which is gained appropriately. The appropriateness of the tools,
data and process helps in understanding the aspects of how the research is conducted effectively.
Quantitative research method is defined as measurements which are objective and the
statistical, mathematical or numerical analysis of the data which is collected through
questionnaires, surveys or polls. There are some major characteristics of quantitative research
methods which are –
 The data collection occurs rapidly with the research that is quantitative.
 The information offers repetition and reliability (Duckett, 2021).
 The findings can be generalized effectively and in appropriate manner.
 The research helps in providing the accurate data which is related to statistics at large
scale.
 There is larger sample which is collected in the quantitative research.
The data is collected in quantitative research by multiple choice and close ended questions. The
reliability in quantitative research helps in addressing the consistency of the measure which has
been indicative for the aspects of improving the research. The validity in the quantitative
research helps is addressing the accuracy of the measure at large scale. It helps in considering the
research design which is valid and is creating a n impact at the research study in an appropriate
manner.

4- Introducing articles; key author and key findings from article 1 and 2.
Article 1 title and findings-
“A qualitative study on the psychological experience of caregivers of COVID-19
patients”, was the main title of current article that was published in 2020 online. From this
research, it has been determined that pandemic as corona-virus disease or infection from 2019 to
2021 bring varied challenges and pressure for nursing staff as it spread rapidly in the whole
world and due to that health care providers feel high pressure that put direct impact on their
psychological experience or perspective in negative manner. The nursing staff had created
different psychology during pandemic situation. Researcher in the context of this research
enrolled 20 nurses and selected them to key respondents who are capable to provide valid and
essential responses to each question that they prepare and cover under questionnaire. Along with
this finding, via conducting qualitative research, scholar had drawn finding in appropriate
manner in term of stating information about professional growth of nurse under pressure that
they experience while caring pandemic patients. This form of progress includes key aspects such
as increasing affection and development of professional accountabilities.
Title of article 2 and findings-
“ Impact of COVID-19 on mental health: A quantitative analysis of depression & anxiety
based on regular life and internet use”. This title cover the current situation and specify the
condition of individual person that has been affected because of lock-down as adverse impact of
pandemic. From this article, the current psychological state of individuals who belong to
different age, professions and genders has been determined as the key finding that drawn on
quantitative based study. The most negative impact of pandemic has been affected female daily
life as they are unable to go out of home, as compare to male respondents, who walk out for
different reasons as some of them are going to purchase some grocery or to work in
governmental bodies. The informative tables in this study has been described the current
situation and activity of individuals for several aspects.
5- Comparing and contrasting research methods & discuss reliability & validity in both articles.
Qualitative and quantitative are the two types of researches that a research chose,
according to the topic (Levitt and et.al., 2021). The current study is based on these forms of
articles, among which each article encompasses some key aspects. The first article is based on
specific subject and that is to determine psychological experience of caregivers of pandemic

patients. Another article justify impact of COVID-19 on mental health. Both articles are quite
different from each other on the basis of research approaches, that has been utilized by the
researcher of both researches for purpose of achieving set aim and research objectives. The first
article is qualitative based, and because of this reason, researcher take approach to utilize
theoretical data and inductive research approach, which is quite differed from second article that
is quantitative based. As scholar in the context of similar type of research, uses numeric data and
deductive approach (Bauer and et.al., 2021). The qualitative research encompasses varied
methods such as researcher take initiative to implement selected algorithms to present data frame
and provide a statistical report. On the other hand, in order to achieve aims, in the context of
qualitative article, scholar prefer to utilize thematic data analysis technique, which enable them
to divide overall research in different themes. They review interview content, summarize
information and then extract useful statement as well as effort to formulate themes present.
Validity and reliability of both articles-
In order to make research useful and appropriate for further study and consideration,
researchers take approach to utilize only copyrighted sources to make their work valuable. They
may take initiative to collect and use those resources that are protected from copyright as IP tool,
which make work valid (Coleman, 2022). Furthermore, in the context of both articles, scholar
select the best and appropriate respondents who are able to provide appropriate information
about psychological experience of caregiver of COVID-19 patients and impact of pandemic upon
mental health of individuals, whether they are male or female. They may do not make any form
of alteration in both type of investigations as everything is based on fact data that they gather by
using useful data analysis and collection approaches.
6- Key findings of both articles.
Article 1-
From article one, it has been determined that care givers during pandemic had taken the
worst experience of their career as they are accountable to treat those people who are facing
major health issues due to COVID-19. At early stage, nurses who are responsible to provide
health care services to patients take negative experience as they are discomfort, fatigue and
helpless just because of extreme intensity of work, as the number of corona-virus patients
increased day by day (A qualitative study on the psychological experience of caregivers of
COVID-19 patients, 2020). This form of situation increase work pressure, anxiety, stress and fear

among caregivers of pandemic patients. Furthermore, from the current article is has been
summarized that nursing staff has taken significant amount of positive emotions as they taken
guidance and directions from expert, who are also facing the same adverse situation that put
negative impact on their performance in form of increasing pressure to cure people and give
them the best treatment that aid to overcome the impact of pandemic, which lead to decrease
mental & physical health of individuals.
Article 2-
By conducting survey, using questionnaire, research has provided appropriate finding of
current quantitative research. As 49.8 percent of female and 37202 percent of male are facing
critical issue and that is depression due to COVID-19 factor, that put direct impact on their
mental well-being (Impact of COVID-19 on mental health: A quantitative analysis of anxiety and
depression based on regular life and internet use, 2022). It has been affected their daily routine
or overall life in negative manner, which is not good for their physical and mental health as it
enable them to feel depress. Due to the similar external factor, individual person during
pandemic situation highly addicted themselves in regard to social services. Majority of
respondents are agreed that people stay at home, especially females as they do not prefer to go
out of their houses, while males take approach to take walk out of comfort area. Just because of
pandemic, more than 16.85 percent of population mental condition were changed as they are
depressed because of not going outside the houses.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of above discussion, it has been identified that researcher had achieved
strategic goal and objectives of their research, in appropriate manner, by using the best research
methodologies. As they had utilized qualitative research approach, which enabled them to collect
non-numerical data that they had used for purpose of making appropriate interpretation. It enable
them to provide appropriate finding at the end of study. Furthermore, by summing up above
analysis, it has been summarized that utilization of primary and secondary research methods
provide researcher a lot of advantages as they had collected overall info about chosen topics that
specified that impact on pandemic upon mental health of individuals. Along with these two
approaches, they had used simple random sampling and other as well for purpose of reaching
desire results that enabled them to make research valid and essential for those who will read that
to acquire knowledge about adverse impact of COVID-19 on similar thing.

RECOMMENDATION
 For purpose of making further research useful and valuable, there are several forms of
suggestions that a researcher can take under their consideration (Purwanto and et.al.,
2021). For example, they can take approach to utilize other research methodologies as
well along with above. SPSS is another technique that they can take into their
consideration, in order to achieve aim and objectives of researcher in effective manner.
The current technique or approach is valid and applicable in the context of qualitative and
quantitative investigation.
 Scholar can also conduct different activities for purpose of presenting the best research
with appropriate outcomes in form of finding at the end of overall study (Saura, Ribeiro-
Soriano and Palacios-Marqués, 2021). They can collect information by conducting
interview from chosen respondents by using advanced technologies, which enable them
to save time and efforts of others along with themselves. By using the best technologies
they can conduct research and gain desire outcomes in form of aim achievement. They
can gather important data that aid to make research useful and comprehensive with full of
strategic data.
 Along with above two recommendations, in order to make research useful and beneficial
for everyone, researcher can take approach to conduct ethical practices. It is important for
them to do that for purpose of making current and further research significant. This form
of consideration enable them to collect valuable information from each respondent with
their approval, instead of forcing them to take part in survey in term of answering few
questions related to research topic.

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Online
A qualitative study on the psychological experience of caregivers of COVID-19 patients. 2020.
[Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7141468/>

Impact of COVID-19 on mental health: A quantitative analysis of anxiety and depression based
on regular life and internet use. 2022. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666518221000243>

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