Health and Psychosocial Long-Term Effects in Severe COVID-19 Survivors: a Qualitative Study

Knowledge about the emotional experience of COVID-19, during the acute phase and throughout recovery remains limited. The objective of the present research is to explore patients’ experience in terms of positive and negative medium and long-term post-COVID effects, the role of coping resources in the recovery period, within the sociocultural context of the pandemics. Semi structured interviews were conducted from November 2022 to April 2023. Thirty participants were interviewed, with ages between 35 and 76 years old, 50% were female, 86% were suffering from chronical disease. The major themes identified using thematic analysis were: the surprise of the pandemic; the confusion; the emotional representation of the disease; role changes in personal relationships; spirituality and hopes. This research contributes to a better understanding of the COVID-19 threat experience, its long-term effects, and the coping with the new life and health status.