Exploration Into the COVID-19 Lockdown Affective Experiences and Modulations in Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior

Abstract

The development of unique situations due to the hit of COVID-19 has forced the human race to take a plunge into a different facet of the world functioning. The novel lifestyle appropriate in prevailing times has been imposed with an ample of lifestyle regulations and consequently influenced behavior, thought and affective processes. The nature of experiential incorporation of the environmental changes and eventual adjustments may have age differences. Hence, the present study focuses on the exploration of the following research questions: 1) What were the affective experiences of middle and old aged individuals post first wave of COVID-19 lockdown? 2) What were the modulations in the levels of obsessions and compulsive behaviour of middle aged and old aged individuals before and post first wave of COVID-19 lockdown? For the purpose, 12 case studies (06 middle and 06 old aged) were taken pre and post COVID-19 first wave lockdown. Personal data schedule and Clark-Beck Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory was administered. The results identified four categories of the affective experiences of participants. The affective responses to information exposure were revealed in accordance to age in the four categories. Modulations in obsession and compulsions were also recorded pre and post COVID-19 lockdown phase1 in accordance to the age groups. Keywords: : COVID-19, Affective experience, obsession, compulsions, middle aged & old aged.