Title: Impact of COVID-19 on individuals' mental health and preventive health behaviours: a conceptual framework

Authors: Rajesh R. Pai; Naganna Chetty; Sreejith Alathur

Addresses: Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal, India ' National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, India ' National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, India

Abstract: The corona virus disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic that facilitate a confrontation space for scientific and social existence of human frontiers. The rapid spread and mortality rate of COVID-19 and the preventive measures including social distancing and its impact on economy, developed an unprecedented consciousness around the globe. It has created an effect on the mental health of individuals employed across various sectors and is outlined in this study. There is currently an inadequate theoretical model that focuses on the comprehensive understanding of the psychology of preventive behaviour during the outbreak of pandemics. In this study, a transnational model is delineated for assessing the adoption of preventive behavioural practices associated with COVID-19 pandemic. It uses the components derived from the theories of situational awareness and health belief model and literatures related to impact of containment strategies on various sectors. The contribution includes policy recommendations that can be helpful for the healthcare professionals and government to control the disease spread.

Keywords: COVID-19; health belief model; situational awareness; mental health; preventive health practices.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMEI.2022.125318

International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics, 2022 Vol.14 No.5, pp.454 - 463

Received: 23 May 2020
Accepted: 14 Dec 2020
Published online: 07 Sep 2022 *

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