Psychological implications of COVID-19 pandemic: mitigating negative impact through social support

Abstract

Globally, COVID-19 pandemic is being described as the exceptional public health crisis in a generation. The colossal impact that COVID-19 is having on the whole world is not only in the terms of loss of physical lives but can also be seen in the form of severe psychological, emotional and traumatic effect. The virus has bought whole world under locked down situation where restrictions are imposed on human movement, people are quarantined and isolated, worsening the impact of virus beyond physical health. Individuals as well as nations are facing both health and financial crisis. The present study, therefore, aims to develop a theoretical model illustrating the psychological implications that COVID-19 pandemic has posed on all sections of society and role of social support in reducing this psychological and social burden. The authors of the study assume that this theoretical model will help in developing better understanding of how people are getting affected and will also help in developing practical ways to lower the negative impact.