The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives and social daily life of married individuals during the total curfew in Kuwait

Abstract

Background Economic problems, social distancing, and drastic alterations to daily lifestyle behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic affected individuals’ social relations worldwide. Objective This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on participants’ social relationships, diets, incomes, health, religious beliefs, and mental health. Method An online questionnaire composed of demographic questions; questions regarding participants’ social, economic, and health lives; and two scales that measure depression, anxiety, stress and positive and negative suicide ideation inventory was distributed to 528 married couples. Results The findings of this study showed significant differences between the independent variables and the dependent variables, which were the DASS and the PANSI. Conclusion The findings from this study highlight the importance of beliefs about COVID-19 for the welfare of families. Furthermore, the findings contribute to the literature by examining how people's views of the effects of COVID-19 on social relations, healthy diets, incomes, health, and religion relate to mental health.