Psychological impact of COVID-19, isolation, and quarantine: a cross-sectional study

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in mandatory isolation and quarantine. The objective of this study was to describe and compare the psychological impacts of COVID-19 isolation and quarantine.Methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective study. Participants were Bahrainis aged >18 years who had undergone either isolation or quarantine. Eligible participants were identified from the COVID-19 contacts (quarantine) and cases (isolation) database of Bahrain. Validated questionnaires for self-reported depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies - depression [CES-D]), posttraumatic stress (Impact of Event Scale - revised [IES-R]), and perceived stigma (Stigma Scale [SS]) were administered.Results: Mean CES-D, IES-R, and SS scores were 16.76±5.65, 13.50±14.67, and 25.29±7.99, respectively. In sum, 40% (205 of 502) of participants showed clinically significant depression, and Conclusion: Isolated and quarantined individuals reported depression, perceived stigma, and to a lesser extent distress. Psychological interventions identifying and targeting people with different-severity psychological burdens are in urgent need.