Mental Health Problems in COVID-19 using a Gendered Lens: A Review

Description

Page: 520-529

Kanika K. Ahuja, Neelanjana, and Aprajita Sharma (Department of Psychology, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi, Delhi)

COVID-19 led to a multitude of psychosocial issues contributing to a mental health crisis with repercussions that continue to persist. While it was indiscriminate as everyone was impacted, certain populations were more vulnerable to detrimental outcomes. The aim of this narrative review was to identify these groups, and investigate the intersection of gender inequalities for the same across the globe, but especially in India. A systematic literature search was undertaken in electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Scopus, and PsycINFO. Findings revealed that COVID-19 patients, healthcare workers, other frontline workers, caregivers, bereaving families, students, and the homeless and migrant workers showed significant psychological distress due to numerous psychosocial challenges. Further, the intersection of gender was found for all the groups, except non-healthcare frontline workers, suggesting that gender acted as a risk factor as women exhibited more severe outcomes with respect to their mental health. The gender disparity in mental health consequences can be attributed to pandemic-related stressors that disproportionately affected women, compounded further by their economic disadvantages, such as increased economic vulnerability, the unequal burden of childcare and caregiving, concerns surrounding reproductive health, gender-based violence, and body dissatisfaction. Further investigations with a focus on qualitative narratives and long-term assessment of mental health outcomes will be beneficial. The way forward is to develop effective coping strategies and address the mental health concerns of frontline workers and caregivers, along with a research imperative of better crisis management, improved work environment, and training, keeping the intersections of gender in mind.