COVID-19 PANDEMİSİNİN ERKEN DÖNEMİNDE ŞİZOFRENİ İLE YAŞAMAK: TÜRKİYE'DE TOPLUM RUH SAĞLIĞI MERKEZİ HİZMET KULLANICILARIYLA NİTEL BİR ÇALIŞMA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20845370Keywords:
Covid 19, Qualitative Research, Schizophrenia, Preventive Health ServicesAbstract
Objective: This qualitative study explored how people living with schizophrenia and receiving care from a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) in Turkey experienced the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the meanings attributed to COVID-19, protective practices, everyday life, treatment continuity, and family relationships.
Methods: Using purposive sampling, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 20 CMHC service users diagnosed with schizophrenia between 20 December 2020 and 1 February 2021. Participants were in remission, had sufficient cognitive capacity to participate, and volunteered for the study. Interviews lasted approximately 30–40 minutes, were audio-recorded with permission, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Descriptive data were summarized using frequencies and percentages, and reporting followed the COREQ checklist.
Results: Three overarching themes emerged: (1) meanings attributed to COVID-19, (2) measures taken to protect against COVID-19, and (3) the effects of the pandemic on life, treatment, and family relationships. Participants reported adopting protective behaviors, experiencing restricted mobility and social interactions, and facing emotional and financial difficulties. Barriers to accessing hospital and CMHC services, as well as challenges in medication and prescription-report renewal, were commonly reported. Some participants purchased medications out of pocket to maintain treatment continuity.
Conclusion: The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic created significant psychosocial and healthcare access challenges for individuals living with schizophrenia. Findings highlight the need for crisis-ready community mental health services that ensure uninterrupted medication access, facilitate prescription renewals, provide proactive follow-up and remote consultation options, and strengthen family and caregiver support during future public health emergencies.
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