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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental and psychosocial functioning, quality of life, and recovery in adults with severe mental illness: Findings from Dutch longitudinal cohorts
van Rijn,Lotte Swildens,Wilma E. Metz,Margot J. Everaerd,Daphne Polderman,Tinca Cahn,Wiepke Schellekens,Arnt F.A. Zijlmans,Josjan Zinkstok,Janneke R.
van Rijn,Lotte
Swildens,Wilma E.
Metz,Margot J.
Everaerd,Daphne
Polderman,Tinca
Cahn,Wiepke
Schellekens,Arnt F.A.
Zijlmans,Josjan
Zinkstok,Janneke R.
Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted global mental health, with individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) being particularly vulnerable. Research on changes in psychiatric symptoms during this pandemic has yielded inconsistent results, often due to individual heterogeneity and a limited focus on broader outcomes such as psychosocial functioning, societal and personal recovery, and quality of life (QoL). Furthermore, long-term effects remain underexplored. This longitudinal cohort study aimed to assess the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on mental and psychosocial functioning, QoL, and recovery in individuals with SMI, and to explore individual and treatment characteristics associated with outcome changes. Methods: Two cohorts were included, involving adults (≥18 years) diagnosed with DSM-5 disorders and experiencing long-term impairments. Participants received care between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2023. Outcomes included the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales, the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life, and the Individual Recovery Outcomes Counter. Changes were analyzed across five pandemic periods using linear mixed models. Results: Improvements in mental and psychosocial functioning, QoL, and recovery were observed over time, regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic period. However, progress was slower during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels. No individual or treatment characteristics were significantly linked to changes in outcomes. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had a minimal negative impact on individuals with SMI. This may be due to the marginal negative effects of the pandemic on this population, or the mitigating role of stabilizing factors within the current Dutch care models.
Description
Date
2025
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Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
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Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic, Psychosocial functioning, Quality of life, QoL, Recovery, Severe mental illness
Citation
van Rijn, L, Swildens, W E, Metz, M J, Everaerd, D, Polderman, T, Cahn, W, Schellekens, A F A, Zijlmans, J & Zinkstok, J R 2025, 'The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental and psychosocial functioning, quality of life, and recovery in adults with severe mental illness : Findings from Dutch longitudinal cohorts', European Psychiatry, vol. 68, no. 1, e74. https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2025.10039
License
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess