Inpatient forensic psychiatry in the time of COVID-19: a survey study of perceived mental health implications on people with schizophrenia spectrum disorder

Background: The aim of our study was to assess the perceived mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) in an inpatient forensic psychiatric institution and to identify personal networks most crucial for the patient during the pandemic. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey study, 44 patients with SSD took part in a COVID-19-specific interview. The data was correlated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) to evaluate the patients’ psychopathology. In addition, we investigated subgroups of vaccinated and unvaccinated patients to analyze possible differences in psychopathology. Results: Less contact with family members was associated with significantly higher PANSS scores (p < 0.05). Patients who reported to feel less relaxed and more stressed during the pandemic than they had been before the outbreak of the virus showed significantly higher PANSS scores (p < 0.05). Unvaccinated patients demonstrated significantly higher PANSS scores than their vaccinated controls (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Social support from family members played an important role for people with SSD in inpatient forensic psychiatric institutions during the pandemic. Moreover, individuals with SSD seemed to be more emotionally vulnerable during the pandemic. A more pronounced symptomatology in patients with SSD might be a potential barrier to immunization against COVID-19