Faculty Collaboration Database

Lived experiences of American adults who survive COVID-19: Implications for physical activity and interpersonal stress. Fam Syst Health 2023 Sep;41(3):308-319

Date

09/21/2023

Pubmed ID

37732974

DOI

10.1037/fsh0000792

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85171811636 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases has surpassed 579 million globally. Symptoms during and after COVID-19 infection vary from mild cold symptoms to severe multisystem illness. Given the wide range of symptom presentations and complications post-COVID-19, the purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of American adults surviving COVID-19.

METHOD: This study employed an exploratory qualitative description design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 35 individuals (White [94%], female [71%], M_age = 43.7 years), with proximity to a university in an urban Midwest American city. Interviews occurred between May and August 2021, 3 or more months after participants tested positive for COVID-19.

RESULTS: Forty percent of the 35 participants experienced prolonged COVID-19 symptoms impacting their lifestyle. Four themes characterized the impacts of the post-COVID-19 condition on the lives of the participants within the context of a global pandemic: (a) disruptions in health and well-being, (b) persistent uncertainty, (c) disruptions in interpersonal relationships, (d) beneficent outcomes and adaptation.

DISCUSSION: This study of COVID-19 has identified important implications for physical activity and interpersonal stress. Prolonged COVID-19 symptoms led to disruptions in the health, well-being, and interpersonal relationships of participants. Health care professionals need to attend to symptoms post-COVID-19, assess interpersonal functioning, and provide guidance on physical activity. Future studies are recommended to track consequences of COVID-19's impact on long-term health and well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Author List

Piacentine LB, Barbosa HC, Haglund KA, Opielinski LE, Hunter SK, Papanek PE, Hoeger Bement M, Johnson NL

Authors

Paula Papanek PhD, MPT, LAT, FACSM Associate Professor & Director of Exercise Science in the Exercise Science & Physical Therapy department at Marquette University
Linda Piacentine BS,MS,NP,PhD Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing department at Marquette University

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Databases, Factual
Exercise
Female
Health Personnel
Humans
Interpersonal Relations