172 Chapter 6 Qualitative results Several themes – negative change, little to no change, positive change – emerged through qualitative analyses of responses to the open-ended question regarding the self-perceived changes in social relationships due to the COVID-19 restrictions. In Table 2 an overview of themes and subthemes with corresponding example statements at Time 1 are presented. Statements of six participants, which included off-topic answers (i.e., complaints about the COVID-19 virus and misinterpretations of the question), were excluded from the analysis. In line with the quantitative results, both neutral and negative statements were reported at Time 1. Neutral statements indicated that many participants experienced little to no change of their social network. Results showed that this might be due to their pre-existing isolated situation – social relationships already being scarce – or pre-existing avoidant attitude toward others before the COVID-19 restrictions. Participants reported negative changes in social contact, daily activities and work, and mental healthcare and wellbeing, which emphasized the negative impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on multiple areas of social life and wellbeing. Participants experienced difficulties in maintaining social contact with others. Besides, less daytime activities due to the closure of activity centers and social services were reported. Regarding mental healthcare and wellbeing, two participants stated restrictions lead to verbal aggression in general and tenseness in mental healthcare departments. Positive responses showed improvements in personal safety and enhanced contact with a partner.
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