ArticlePloS one2023
The lived experience of long COVID: A qualitative study of mental health, quality of life, and coping.
Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 37 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
37 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Exploring the influence of long COVID upon self-identity: a systematic literature review.Archives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique · 2026Pooled it
- Patient and Professional Perspectives on Long COVID: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Synthesis.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2025Pooled it
- Systematic review of interventions for mental health, cognition and psychological well-being in long COVID.BMJ mental health · 2024Pooled it
- Psychosocial Aspects of the Lived Experience of Long COVID: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Studies.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2024Pooled it
- Therapeutic Effects of Slow Deep Breathing on Cardiopulmonary Function, Physical Performance, Biochemical Parameters, and Stress in Older Adult Patients with Long COVID in Phayao, Thailand.Annals of geriatric medicine and research · 2025Trial
- Lived Experiences of Long COVID in Iranian Immigrants in Canada: Implications for Post-Infection Care and Global Health Equity.Iranian journal of medical sciences · 2026Article
- A Qualitative Investigation of Managers' Experiences and Views of Early Support Hubs for Children and Young People.Administration and policy in mental health · 2026Article
- Long COVID-19 in Spain: A Phenomenological Exploration of Health, Support, and Systemic Challenges.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- The next phase in Long COVID research: addressing the ethical challenges in trials of disease-modifying treatments.EClinicalMedicine · 2026Review
- Submaximal 2-day cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess exercise capacity and post-exertional symptom exacerbation in people with long COVID.Experimental physiology · 2026Article
- Supporting the psychosocial well-being of patients with Long COVID: patient-informed strategies from a qualitative study.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Article
- Long COVID affects working memory: assessment using a single rapid online test.Frontiers in human neuroscience · 2026Article
- Article
- Lingering echoes of SARS-CoV-2: mechanistic insights and management of long COVID syndrome.Inflammopharmacology · 2026Review
- Article
- How do fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, activity and role functioning, and mental health inter-relate in adults with post-COVID-19 syndrome? A structural equation model analysis.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2025Article
- Illness Experiences of Veterans Reporting Long-Term Symptoms or Health Challenges from COVID-19: Results from the VA COVID-19 Observational Research Collaboratory.Journal of general internal medicine · 2025Article
- Understanding Long COVID Among Young People in Victoria, Australia: Prevalence, Impact, and Associated Factors.Public health challenges · 2025Article
- Living With Persistent Respiratory Symptoms of Long COVID: Qualitative Study Among Brazilian Adults 12 Months After Acute Infection.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2025Article
- Intersectionality and Long Covid: Understanding the Lived Experiences of Ethnic Minority Groups in the United Kingdom.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
Abstract
The majority of people who contract COVID-19 experience a short period of symptomatic infection. However, symptoms persist for months or years following initial exposure to the virus in some cases. This has been described as long COVID. Little is known about the lived experience of this condition, as it has only recently emerged. This study aimed to explore the experiences of mental health, quality of life, and coping among people living with long COVID. A sample of 47 adults with lived experience participated in web-based focus groups. Separate focus groups were held for 24 individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions and 23 individuals without pre-existing mental health conditions. Data were analyzed using a codebook thematic analysis approach. Five themes were identified as integral to the long COVID experience: The Emotional Landscape of Long COVID, New Limits to Daily Functioning, Grief and Loss of Former Identity, Long COVID-related Stigmatization, and Learning to Cope with Persisting Symptoms. These findings illustrate the immense impact of long COVID on mental health and quality of life. Minimal differences were found between those with and those without pre-existing mental health conditions, as both groups were substantially impacted by the condition. Attention to the perspectives of people with lived experience of long COVID is necessary to inform future directions for research and clinical practice.
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Registered trials
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