Abstract

Introduction

Nations thorughout the world are imposing mandatory quarantine on those entering the country. While such measures may be effective in reducing the importation of COVID-19, the mental health implications remain unclear.

Objectives

This study sought to assess mental well-being and factors associated with changes in mental health in individuals subject to mandatory quarantine following travel.

Methods

Travellers arriving at a large urban international airport completed online questionnaires on arrival and days 7 and 14 of mandated quarantine. Questionnaire items such as travel history, mental health, attitudes towards COVID-19, and protection behaviours were drawn from the World Health Organization Survey Tool for COVID-19.

Results

There was a clinically significant decline in mental health over the course of quarantine among the 10,965 eligible participants. Poor mental health was reported by 5.1% of participants on arrival and 26% on day 7 of quarantine. Factors associated with greater decline in mental health were younger age, female gender, negative views towards quarantine measures, and engaging in fewer COVID-19 prevention behaviours.

Conclusions

While the widespread use of quarantine may be effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19, the mental health implications are profound and have largely been ignored in public policy decision-making. Psychiatry has a role to play in contributing to the public policy debate to ensure that all aspects of health and well-being are reflected in decisions to isolate people from others.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Details

Title
Mental Health Impacts of Quarantine: Insights from the COVID-19 International Border Surveillance Study in Toronto, Canada
Author
Regehr, C 1 ; Goel, V 2 ; De Prophetis, E 2 ; Jamil, M 3 ; Mertz, D 4 ; Rosella, L 2 ; Bulir, D 5 ; Smieja, M 6 

 University of Toronto, Factor-inwentash Faculty Of Social Work, Toronto, Canada 
 University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School Of Public Health, Toronto, Canada 
 McMaster University, Mcmaster Health Labs, Hamilton, Canada 
 McMaster University, Department Of Medicine, Hamilton, Canada 
 McMaster University, Research Institute Of St Joes, Hamilton, Canada 
 McMaster University, Pathology And Molecular Medicine, Hamilton, Canada 
Pages
S135-S135
Publication year
2022
Publication date
Jun 2022
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
ISSN
09249338
e-ISSN
17783585
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2708702910
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.