Survivor’s Experiences of Psychological Challenges in COVID-19 Patients: An Internet-based Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Background: Confirmed and suspected patients with SARS-CoV-2 may fear contagion to others and the severe consequences of the disease. Therefore, they may feel loneliness, denial, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and hopelessness, reducing treatment adherence. Objectives: This study aimed to discuss the psychological challenges of survivors’ experiences in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This descriptive phenomenological study explored survivors’ experiences of COVID-19 infection. Validated websites’ stories and notes were used to collect data. The stories were transcribed and analyzed by Colaizzi’s phenomenological analysis method. The authors screened the transcribed texts, extracted and summarized meaningful statements, and reported the themes independently. In addition, six criteria of authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, coverage, and appearance were considered for evaluating web page quality. The data were analyzed using MAXQDA 10 software. Results: A total of 45 patients’ stories with COVID-19 were analyzed. Four general themes and 11 sub-themes were extracted via reading stories and extracting themes, including stigma (the sub-themes of embarrassment, defame, and Hopelessness), horror (sub-themes of denial, not professional experience, and toward death), different lifestyles (the sub-themes of change, unfriended, and sleeplessness), and freedom (two sub-themes of calmness and Rescue). Conclusions: Based on the studies, the participants reported high rates of symptoms of fear, change, insomnia, and horror. Supporting COVID-19 patients in these critical conditions is one of the essential components of acute care measures. Specific interventions to promote mental health in exposed patients should be applied immediately and require special attention.