THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON SOCIAL FUCNTIONING, NEGATIVE AFFECT, AND PARANOID IDEATION

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to significant increases in mental health symptoms among the general population. Given greater levels of social isolation prior to the pandemic and an increased vulnerability to stress, those with psychosis spectrum disorders may be especially susceptible to the mental health impacts of the pandemic. Yet very few studies exploring the impact of the pandemic on social functioning and mental health have included individuals with psychosis spectrum disorders. Utilizing data gathered from a transdiagnostic sample of individuals spanning the spectrum of psychosis, the current study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perceptions of interpersonal relationships and symptomatology. Results indicated that perceived rejection and hostility were greater during COVID compared to pre-COVID levels and that average and high levels of negative COVID-related impacts helped to maintain levels of perceived hostility from pre-COVID levels. Analyses also found a relation between the number of negative COVID-related impacts and lower social support, greater social distress, greater negative affect, and greater paranoid ideation during the pandemic. Contrary to expectations, symptoms during the pandemic were not predicted by social resources before the pandemic and paranoid ideation did not change compared to pre-COVID levels. However, persecutory paranoid ideation was related to more negative perceptions of the government’s response to COVID. These findings demonstrate how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted perceptions of social relationships and symptomatology among those with psychosis spectrum disorders and raise concerns that those high in paranoid ideation may be less willing to engage in government mandated protective health behaviors designed to limit the spread of COVID-19.