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Impact of COVID-19 on mental health and quality of life: Is there any effect? A cross-sectional study of the MENA region

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Listed:
  • Ayesha S Al Dhaheri
  • Mo’ath F Bataineh
  • Maysm N Mohamad
  • Abir Ajab
  • Amina Al Marzouqi
  • Amjad H Jarrar
  • Carla Habib-Mourad
  • Dima O Abu Jamous
  • Habiba I Ali
  • Haleama Al Sabbah
  • Hayder Hasan
  • Lily Stojanovska
  • Mona Hashim
  • Osama A Abd Elhameed
  • Reyad R Shaker Obaid
  • Samar ElFeky
  • Sheima T Saleh
  • Tareq M Osaili
  • Leila Cheikh Ismail

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major health crisis that has changed the life of millions globally. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the pandemic on mental health and quality of life among the general population in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. A total of 6142 adults from eighteen countries within the MENA region completed an online questionnaire between May and June 2020. Psychological impact was assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the social and family support impact was assessed with questions from the Perceived Support Scale (PSS). The IES-R mean score was 29.3 (SD = 14.8), corresponding to mild stressful impact with 30.9% reporting severe psychological impact. Most participants (45%–62%) felt horrified, apprehensive, or helpless due to COVID-19. Furthermore, over 40% reported increased stress from work and financial matters. Higher IES-R scores were found among females, participants aged 26–35 years, those with lower educational level, and participants residing in the North Africa region (p

Suggested Citation

  • Ayesha S Al Dhaheri & Mo’ath F Bataineh & Maysm N Mohamad & Abir Ajab & Amina Al Marzouqi & Amjad H Jarrar & Carla Habib-Mourad & Dima O Abu Jamous & Habiba I Ali & Haleama Al Sabbah & Hayder Hasan & , 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 on mental health and quality of life: Is there any effect? A cross-sectional study of the MENA region," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0249107
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249107
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mirna Fawaz & Ali Samaha, 2020. "COVID-19 quarantine: Post-traumatic stress symptomatology among Lebanese citizens," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(7), pages 666-674, November.
    2. Zheng Feei Ma & Yutong Zhang & Xiaoqin Luo & Xinli Li & Yeshan Li & Shuchang Liu & Yingfei Zhang, 2020. "Increased stressful impact among general population in mainland China amid the COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide cross-sectional study conducted after Wuhan city’s travel ban was lifted," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(8), pages 770-779, December.
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    1. Nor Ba’yah Abdul Kadir & Rusyda Helma & Wan Nur Khairunnisa Ismail & Siti Jamiaah Abdul Jalil & Nurul-Azza Abdullah & Arena Che Kasim & Suzana Mohd. Hoesni & Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf, 2022. "Sustaining the Quality of Life for University Employees with Obesity Using Mindfulness Activities and Work Engagement: A Quasi-Experimental Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-12, February.
    2. Olga Vl. Bitkina & Jaehyun Park, 2021. "Emotional State and Social Media Experience: A Pandemic Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Theingi Maung Maung & Timsi Jain & Jagannathan Madhanagopal & Sawri Rajan L. Rajagopal Naidu & Hnin Pwint Phyu & Win Myint Oo, 2022. "Impact of Aerobic and Strengthening Exercise on Quality of Life (QOL), Mental Health and Physical Performance of Elderly People Residing at Old Age Homes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-11, August.
    4. Felix Kwabena Donkor & Stergios-Aristoteles Mitoulis & Sotirios Argyroudis & Hassan Aboelkhair & Juan Antonio Ballesteros Canovas & Ahmad Bashir & Ginbert Permejo Cuaton & Samo Diatta & Maral Habibi &, 2022. "SDG Final Decade of Action: Resilient Pathways to Build Back Better from High-Impact Low-Probability (HILP) Events," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-14, November.
    5. Wafa Alam & Nadia Farnaz & Farzana Manzoor & Sally Theobald & Sabina Faiz Rashid, 2023. "Perceptions of and Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccination among Urban Slum Dwellers in Dhaka, Bangladesh," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-18, April.
    6. Kim Hua Tan & Poh Phui Chan & Nur-Ehsan Mohd Said, 2021. "Higher Education Students’ Online Instruction Perceptions: A Quality Virtual Learning Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-24, September.

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