[Types of Perception Toward Quarantine Measures among Patients Infected with COVID-19]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Psychology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• COVID-19 pandemic necessitated widespread quarantine measures.
• Understanding patient perceptions of quarantine is vital for effective public health strategies.
• Previous research has not fully explored the diverse subjective experiences of COVID-19 patients in quarantine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and categorize the perceptions of patients infected with COVID-19 regarding quarantine measures.
• To explore the range of emotional and cognitive responses to quarantine among hospitalized patients.

Main Methods:

• Q-methodology was employed to analyze subjective viewpoints.
• Data collection involved literature review, in-depth interviews, and Q sorting with 30 participants.
• Analysis utilized the PC-QUANL program to identify distinct perception types.

Main Results:

• Six distinct types of perception regarding quarantine were identified.
• These types include 'passive acceptance', 'social stigma perception', 'appreciation of daily life', 'why me?', 'fearful perception', and 'positive meaning'.
• Perceptions exhibited a spectrum of positive and negative emotional characteristics.

Conclusions:

• Patient perceptions of COVID-19 quarantine are multifaceted, encompassing both positive and negative emotional dimensions.
• The identified perception types can inform the development of tailored psychosocial interventions.
• Addressing diverse patient experiences is key to mitigating mental health challenges during infectious disease outbreaks.