Psychological Impact of Institutional Quarantine

Institutional quarantine separates persons who have been potentially exposed to an infectious agent (and thus at risk for disease) from the general community. This may create psychological, emotional, and financial problems for some persons. The experience of those placed under quarantine in terms of compliance, difficulties, emotional response and psychological impact remains under-researched.

In view of the increasing cases of COVID-19 in India and the rising numbers of people being quarantined as a precautionary measure, it was imperative to assess those quarantined for the psychological impact of the concerns regarding this illness and the quarantine procedure. In India, no such study had been undertaken and our study would thus fill the research gap.

The cross-sectional observational study is aimed at assessing the psychological impact of quarantine on Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers (n=100).

The participants will be assessed for depression, anxiety, perceived stress level of impact, and impact of life events using Beck Depression Inventory, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, and Impact of Events Scale-Revised respectively. A qualitative interview schedule will be carried out.

Inclusion criteria

• Indian-origin adults between the age of 18-60 yrs quarantined at border security force facility
• Both genders would be included

Exclusion criteria

• Any chronic co-morbid medical condition
• Current Diagnosis of COVID-19