Feelings of Loneliness, Learned Helplessness and Depression during COVID-19 forced lockdown in Pakistan

Abstract

Due to the fast-spreading Coronavirus all over the world, Pakistan Government announced forced lockdown and all other businesses, shopping malls, restaurants, and educational institutions were closed to avoid the risk of spreading the virus in such crowded places. This study was conducted to find if social isolation would cause feelings of loneliness, helplessness, and depression in the people of Pakistan. For this purpose, an online survey through Google forms was conducted and data from 204 participants was collected. After statistical analysis done by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 25, results showed a significant positive correlation among loneliness, learned helplessness, and depression. There was no statistically significant difference between males and females in loneliness, learned helplessness, and depression. Similarly, there were statistically no significant differences in people living in joint or nuclear family systems. Public Officials should take necessary measures so that people who are in quarantine do not experience adverse effects of social isolation.