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Exploring Mental Health during the Initial COVID-19 Lockdown in Mumbai: Serendipity for Some Women

Author

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  • Lisa R. Roberts

    (School of Nursing, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA)

  • Shreeletha Solomon

    (Department of Psychology, Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong 793006, Meghalaya, India)

  • Solomon J. Renati

    (Department of Psychology, Veer Wajekar Arts Science and Commerce College, University of Mumbai, Mumbai 400032, Maharashtra, India)

  • Susanne Montgomery

    (School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA)

Abstract

Background : This study explored how low-income women already distressed by reproductive challenges were affected during the initial lockdown conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mumbai, India. Methods : Women with reproductive challenges and living in established slums participated in a longitudinal mixed-methods study comparing their mental health over time, at pre-COVID-19 and at one and four-months into India’s COVID-19 lockdown. Results : Participants ( n = 98) who presented with elevated mental health symptoms at baseline had significantly reduced symptoms during the initial lockdown. Improvements were associated with income, socioeconomic status, perceived stress, social support, coping strategies, and life satisfaction. Life satisfaction explained 37% of the variance in mental health change, which was qualitatively linked with greater family time (social support) and less worry about necessities, which were subsidized by the government. Conclusions : As the pandemic continues and government support wanes, original mental health issues are likely to resurface and possibly worsen, if unaddressed. Our research points to the health benefits experienced by the poor in India when basic needs are at least partially met with government assistance. Moreover, our findings point to the critical role of social support for women suffering reproductive challenges, who often grieve alone. Future interventions to serve these women should take this into account.

Suggested Citation

  • Lisa R. Roberts & Shreeletha Solomon & Solomon J. Renati & Susanne Montgomery, 2021. "Exploring Mental Health during the Initial COVID-19 Lockdown in Mumbai: Serendipity for Some Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12542-:d:690157
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sonalde Desai & Neerad Deshmukh & Santanu Pramanik, 2021. "Precarity in a Time of Uncertainty: Gendered Employment Patterns during the Covid-19 Lockdown in India," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(1-2), pages 152-172, April.
    2. Ed Diener & Ronald Inglehart & Louis Tay, 2013. "Theory and Validity of Life Satisfaction Scales," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 112(3), pages 497-527, July.
    3. S. Mahendra Dev & Rajeswari Sengupta, 2020. "Covid-19: Impact on the Indian economy," Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai Working Papers 2020-013, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai, India.
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