Last update:
   22-Mar-2022
 

Arch Hellen Med, 39(1), January-February 2022, 89-97

ORIGINAL PAPER

The socio-psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Greek society: A survey of Greek adults

K. Tsapou,1 Ε. Psarra,1 J. Konstantinou,1 D. Kavvadas,1 S. Cheristanidis,1,2 Ε. Sidiropoulos,1 G. Papazisis1,3
1Post-Graduate Program "Health and Environmental Factors", Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki,
2Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki,
3Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

OBJECTIVE To investigate the psychological and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant prolonged confinement, on Greek society.

METHOD The study was conducted in the form of a survey conducted 3rd to 20th January 2021, using an electronic questionnaire consisting of 24 questions, distributed via the social media. The first two questions were to define the demographic characteristics, and the remaining questions were about the impact of the pandemic regarding various aspects of the participants' routine and to what degree they have been affected.

RESULTS The study involved 250 respondents, 80 males and 170 females, all adults. Of the participants, 88.4% stated that they have been intensely affected by the pandemic, and 70.8% that they were quite worried about the future. Female participants appeared to have been affected to a greater degree. The modification of their daily activities, and the constant concern for the future and about the health of their loved ones, was significantly greater than that of the males.

CONCLUSIONS The ongoing pandemic, with the mobilization of quarantine and other isolating measures, poses social and economic risks for the population. The activities and the mental and psychological health of the people have been greatly affected by the burden of the knowledge of these risks.

Key words: Age, COVID-19, Gender, Greece, Quarantine, Society.

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