Heni Dwi Windarwati
1,2* 
, Budi Anna Keliat
3 , Dayat Trihadi
4 , Mochamad Ali Sodikin
5 , Tjahjanti Kristaningsih
6 , Mohammad Fatkhul Mubin
7 , Akemat Akemat
8 , Thika Marliana
9 , Lahargo Kembaren
10 , Niken Asih Laras Ati
11,2 , Shofi Khaqul Ilmy
12 , Ari Dwi Sulaksono
13 , Asri Maharani
14 1 Department of Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
2 Mind Mental Health for Innovation Research Center (MMHIRC), Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
3 Department of Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
4 Muhammadiyah University of Purwokerto, Banyumas, Indonesia
5 Dr. Radjiman Wediodiningrat Mental Hospital of Lawang, Malang, Indonesia
6 Akademi Keperawatan Fatmawati, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
7 Muhammadiyah University Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia
8 Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
9 University of Respati Indonesia, Jakarta Timur, Indonesia
10 Marzuki Mahdi Hospital Bogor, Bogor, Indonesia
11 Department of Community, Family, and Geriatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Jember, Jember, Indonesia
12 School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha, Singaraja, Indonesia
13 Department of Nursing, STIKES Widyagama Husada Malang, Malang, Indonesia
14 Division of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
Abstract
Introduction: Changes in health status and adjustments to new lifestyles during the pandemic have triggered societal psychological problems in society. This study aimed to explore the correlation between physical symptoms and psychological problems in Indonesian society during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Methods: This cross-sectional study employed an online survey to gather data from 9425 participants in Indonesia between June and July 2020, which was selected using convenience sampling. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) instrument was employed to investigate psychological problems, the utilization of psychoactive substances, psychotic symptoms, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Physical symptoms were assessed through self-reports indicating the presence or absence of experienced COVID-19 symptoms. The statistical analyses were conducted using Spearman-rank and Cramer’s V correlation.
Results: The findings suggest that the perceived physical symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak are significantly associated with psychological problems, (including decreased energy, somatic symptoms, depressive moods, and depressive thoughts, the use of psychoactive substances, psychotic symptoms, and PTSD.
Conclusion: Our study concluded that physical health is significantly associated with psychological problems. It is essential to eliminate factors that cause psychological problems by promoting the physical condition of the general population. Through promotive and preventive efforts, physical and psychological conditions should be improved in COVID-19 outbreaks.