Examining the psychological and financial impact of travel restrictions on citizens and permanent residents stranded abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic: international cross-sectional study.

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101552874 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2044-6055 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20446055 NLM ISO Abbreviation: BMJ Open Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: [London] : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, 2011-
    • Subject Terms:
      COVID-19*/epidemiology; Anxiety/epidemiology ; Anxiety/psychology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression/epidemiology ; Depression/psychology ; Humans ; Pandemics ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Stress, Psychological/epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires
    • Abstract:
      Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the psychological and financial distress reported by citizens and permanent residents stranded abroad due to international travel restrictions introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
      Design: An international cross-sectional study.
      Setting: A primary analysis of data collected between July and September 2021 through an online survey targeting individuals stranded abroad and unable to return to their country of residence due to international travel restrictions.
      Respondents: A total of 1054 individuals aged 18-84 years.
      Data Analysis: Multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the relationship between higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress and participant variables.
      Outcome Measures: The survey answered questions regarding COVID-19 travel restriction-related impacts: personal stress, anxiety and depression (using the validated 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) tool), as well as impacts on housing and financial security and demographic data.
      Results: A total of 75.4% of respondents reported wanting to return to the Oceania region (75.4%), with 45% stranded in Europe. 64.2% reported financial distress while stranded abroad. 64.4% (x̄=9.43, SD=5.81) reported moderate-to-extremely severe (based on the DASS-21 classification) levels of depression, 41.7% for anxiety (x̄=5.46, SD=4.74), and 58.1% for stress (x̄=10.64, SD=5.26). Multivariable analysis indicated that financial stress, an employment change, being <30 years, having a high perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 abroad and being stranded for >2 months were significantly related to scores of moderate-to-extremely severe depression, anxiety and stress.
      Conclusion: The study is among the first to explore the psychological and financial distress-related impacts associated with being stranded abroad due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. It highlights a range of unintended consequences that arise from pandemic-related travel restrictions, identifies the health and social needs of a particularly vulnerable population, and provides clues as to the types of support that may be adopted to best support them.
      Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.
      (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)
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    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: COVID-19; INFECTIOUS DISEASES; MENTAL HEALTH; Public health
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20220519 Date Completed: 20220523 Latest Revision: 20220716
    • Publication Date:
      20221213
    • Accession Number:
      PMC9121108
    • Accession Number:
      10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059922
    • Accession Number:
      35589348