Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate psychological distress and psychopathological symptoms in patients recovered from COVID-19. For this purpose, we worked with a mixed, quali-quantitative methodology.

Method:

A total of 131 adults between 21 and 76 years of age (68,7 % had suffered COVID-19) participated in the study, completing a personal questionnaire and the Symptom Check-List-90-R [SCL-90-R]. In addition, 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted with recovered COVID-19 patients who had to be hospitalized because of the disease.

Results:

The results indicated that participants who recovered from COVID-19 reported higher levels of distress and psychopathological symptoms after their recovery, compared to participants who did not contract the disease. Statistically significant differences (p < 0,05) were found for almost all indicators, except for Interpersonal Sensitivity and Paranoid Ideation (p = 0,06). Additionally, patients who were hospitalized but not given assisted breathing interventions showed higher indicators for Somatization and Obsessions and Compulsions compared to the group that was hospitalized with a ventilator (p < 0,05). Furthermore, the qualitative analysis suggests that hospitalized participants experienced distress and different consequences from hospitalization and the disease.

Discussions:

The results are in line with what has been reported in the literature and suggest the importance of psychological support as a complement to physical recovery.

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