Attitudes toward COVID-19 pandemic measures and clinical symptom severity in schizophrenia patients: a preliminary cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives The study aim was to compare clinical symptom severity and quality of life (QoL) among schizophrenia patients according to their attitudes toward pandemic measures and reported lockdown-related disruption. Methods Patients with schizophrenia attending follow-up sessions at two community mental health centers were included in this cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients were assessed using a standardized form and the following psychometric instruments: the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Heinrich–Carpenter Quality of Life Scale and Clinical Global Impressions Ratings-Severity scale. Patients were grouped according to their attitudes toward pandemic measures (positive attitudes or non-positive attitudes). Results No significant differences were found in sociodemographic and clinical variables, clinical symptom severity or QoL between schizophrenia patients with positive attitudes and those without positive attitudes toward pandemic measures. Guilt feelings and trait anxiety levels were positively related to lockdown-related disruption. Conclusions Positive attitudes toward pandemic measures may be affected by factors other than the sociodemographic and clinical status of schizophrenia patients. It is important that such factors are assessed in future studies to better manage pandemic-related challenges among schizophrenia patients.