164 Chapter 6 ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on social relationships of forensic psychiatric outpatients with pre-existing social network-related problems. Data from 70 participants of an ongoing randomized controlled trial, investigating the effectiveness of a social network intervention among forensic psychiatric outpatients, was examined. Demographic characteristics, quality of social relationships, loneliness and social support was assessed at baseline. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an additional questionnaire that contained quantitative and qualitative questions regarding the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on social relationships was administered. Participants showed high levels of loneliness and dissatisfaction with social relationships before COVID-19. The majority of forensic outpatients perceived no changes on social relationships due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Qualitative results revealed some participants already lived socially isolated. Negative changes on social relationships, were related to deterioration of social contacts, interruption of daytime activities, and changed mental healthcare and wellbeing. Emotional loneliness predicted deteriorated general and romantic relationships. These findings suggest that social relationships of forensic patients with pre-existing social network-related problems remain of concern throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Keywords: COVID-19, forensic psychiatry, social network, social relationships, mixed methods
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