LOCKED DOWN TODAY, COGNITIVELY DISSONANT ABOUT TOMORROW?
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
By Dr. Bronwyn
Dworzanowski-Venter
Senior research associate and
independent researcher
University of Johannesburg
bjd2006@gmail.com
LOCKED DOWN TODAY,
COGNITIVELY DISSONANT ABOUT
TOMORROW?
FINDINGS FROM THE COVID-19 SURVEY OF ONLINE
SADAG COMMUNITY MEMBERS
FEELINGS ABOUT THE more balanced views, stating: down, albeit in interesting and
LOCKDOWN: ‘IT’S THE RIGHT ‘Yes [I support the Lockdown] differently challenging ways.
THING TO DO’? to flatten the curve, but no for Anxiety and panic topped the
Over 13 days, in the middle of the the economy’. Simply put, the
Covid-19 Lockdown period, 1214 Lockdown was seen as the ‘lesser
members of the SADAG online of two evils’. Of the one in ten who
community reflected on their opposed the lockdown, mental I … am worried about
experiences, their mental health health and economic concerns
and their financial fears. Nine out dominated, with one respondent my husband’s stress
of ten supported the Lockdown stating: ‘it’s just prolonging the as he may lose his
to stop the spread of Covid-19, inevitable. It’s purely buying time. family business and
protect the immuno-compromised, It’s depressing the economy. It’s
and ensure that our strained too harsh. It’s isolating’.
can’t pay staff – Survey
South African health care system respondent Anne*
would not collapse under the LIFE UNDER LOCKDOWN:
weight of infection. While most of ANXIETY, PANIC AND
the survey respondents felt that FINANCIAL STRESS
the Covid-19 Lockdown was ‘the Without question, each person list at 55%, closely followed by
right thing to do’, others qualified surveyed had reacted to the financial stress and pressure
their support by expressing experience of being locked at 46%. Depression (40%) and
MHM Issue 2 | 2020 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 7
poor family relations (30%) were cake is simple. Take two beliefs, personal earnings but worrying
both quite commonly reported. about money seems to place
These challenges are not faced value on livelihoods over lives.
in isolation. If the Lockdown is The stress that results from
the lesser of two evils, then the Cognitive dissonance this tension can have profound
mental health impact may unleash consequences. We may think
additional challenges. This is
refers to the state that high levels of anxiety, panic
clearly seen in the statistically of discomfort that and depression, reported in this
significant connections identified results from the study, are all directly linked to
between anxiety and depression. tension caused by the experience of life under the
SADAG community members who Lockdown. The reality is that
had previously been diagnosed holding contradictory the true home of these negative
with generalised anxiety, or beliefs, or performing mental states is found in the land
OCD, struggled with depression contradictory actions imagined after the Lockdown.
during the Lockdown (p
Q: What has SADAG
done to help you during
the Lockdown?
A: I see a lot of
comments and
content [on the SADAG
Facebook chats]. Which
reminds me that I am
not alone. Even though
I feel extremely lonely
and stressed - Survey
respondent, Rebecca*
a dissonant life within the
Lockdown period. What is to
be done? The answer seems
to lie on the old South African
expression: local is lekker. Survey
respondents who experienced
stress due to monetary concerns,
were less likely to seek out
Covid-19 updates from the press/
media and social media. Rather,
they demonstrated a preference
for local, community-based
WhatsApp groups and the news stressed grouping were hardest to
they would bring. Sticking close to reach via social media platforms,
home, and feeling the cognitive- this sentiment may indicate Q: What has SADAG
dissonance inspired anxiety, SADAG’s ability to become part done to help you during
these respondents tended to do of a trusted local milieu. For the Lockdown?
domestic chores to feel better. example, a respondent illustrated
this by noting: ‘I use the [SADAG] A: I feel like there is
number when I do community someone there that
posts for people to contact. I know cares. That there [are]
Q: What has SADAG it is trustworthy which is helpful’.
From providing online self-help people we can speak
done to help you during tips to a caring ear, SADAG offers to who doesn’t judge
the Lockdown? respectful support while we await but helps – Survey
A: Staying running. the reality of life after Lockdown,
a reality that seems to trouble so
respondent Maria*
Knowing they’re there if many living through it. Sometimes
I need [them] – Survey just knowing that SADAG is there
Respondent Leoni* has proven helpful to many of the are a reminder that we all live on
people surveyed, and especially the frontline of our own mental
to those who have become health realties. The virus has had
more worried about money than an impact, as does the Lockdown
anything else. in response to this threat. With
Generally, those worried about This research has shown that many of us taking a place on the
matters financial did not seek it is not simply a case of two depression-anxiety continuum,
to communicate with others in external ‘evils’, of losing lives caused by financial pressure and
any particular way. This said, a versus losing the economic health cognitive dissonance, a chance
number did consider reaching of a country. It is also a matter of to be part of creating the ‘’new
out to SADAG, or had done so inner conflict, between dissonant normal’’ may provide a sense of
with gratifying success. The ideals, and this conflict places hope and purpose.
SADAG daily chat innovation on the power into the hands of
Facebook was appreciated by individuals. *These are not their real names
many, including those who did not For those of us not on the
report feeling financial pressure. medical frontline of the Covid-19
However, as the financially pandemic, these research findings References available upon request
You can also read
