Long-term Impact of COVID-19: Psychological Disturbances and Cognitive Functioning of Recovered Professionals in Dhaka

Abstract

Hospitalization or home isolation during treatment of the recent pandemic (COVID-19) as well as after recovery may have an acute effect on the mental health and cognitive functioning of recovered professionals, but there is a lack of studies in this regard. We aimed to explore the possible psychological disturbances and impairment in cognitive functioning among COVID-19-recovered professionals in Bangladesh. A total of 118 COVID-19 recovered professionals participated in an online survey, in which they completed a questionnaire including personal and pandemic-specific questions, as well as measures of psychological disturbances and cognitive failure. Results revealed that only one-fifth of professionals experienced psychological disturbances, but the average people faced relatively more problems in cognitive functioning. The low rate of psychological distress may reflect the resilience of Bangladeshis due to our collectivistic society. In contrast, the relatively high prevalence of subjective cognitive impairment would imply that the long period of quarantine/self-isolation was at least indirectly related to a sense of reduced cognitive efficiency. The findings, however, highlight the importance of developing intervention programs to improve the psychological well-being and cognitive functioning of professionals during pandemics.