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Social Life of Females with Persistent COVID-19 Symptoms: A Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Atefeh Aghaei

    (Department of Health Promotion Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
    South Carolina SmartState Center of Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ran Zhang

    (Department of Health Promotion Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
    South Carolina SmartState Center of Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Slone Taylor

    (Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA)

  • Cheuk-Chi Tam

    (Department of Health Promotion Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
    South Carolina SmartState Center of Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA)

  • Chih-Hsiang Yang

    (Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
    Technology Center to Promote Healthy Lifestyles, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA)

  • Xiaoming Li

    (Department of Health Promotion Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
    South Carolina SmartState Center of Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA)

  • Shan Qiao

    (Department of Health Promotion Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
    South Carolina SmartState Center of Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA)

Abstract

Persistent COVID-19 symptoms (long COVID) may bring challenges to long haulers’ social lives. Females may endure more profound impacts given their special social roles and existing structural inequality. This study explores the effects of long COVID on the social life of female long haulers. We conducted semi-structured interviews via Zoom between April and June 2021 with 15 female long haulers in the United States, purposely recruited from Facebook and Slack groups and organization websites related to long COVID. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim with consent. The interview data were managed using MAXQDA and examined by thematic analysis. Long COVID negatively affected female long haulers’ social lives by causing physical limitations, economic issues, altered social relationships, social roles’ conflicts, and social stigma. Long COVID prevented female long haulers’ recovery process. Physical limitations altered their perceptions on body, and family–work conflicts caused tremendous stress. They also experienced internalized stigma and job insecurities. This study provides insights into challenges that COVID-19 female long haulers could face in their return to normal social life, underscoring the vulnerability of females affected by long COVID due to significant alterations in their social lives. Shifting to new methods of communication, especially social media, diminished the adverse effects of long COVID (e.g., social isolation).

Suggested Citation

  • Atefeh Aghaei & Ran Zhang & Slone Taylor & Cheuk-Chi Tam & Chih-Hsiang Yang & Xiaoming Li & Shan Qiao, 2022. "Social Life of Females with Persistent COVID-19 Symptoms: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9076-:d:871694
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Emily E. Chasco & Kimberly Dukes & DeShauna Jones & Alejandro P. Comellas & Richard M. Hoffman & Alpana Garg, 2022. "Brain Fog and Fatigue following COVID-19 Infection: An Exploratory Study of Patient Experiences of Long COVID," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-12, November.

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