| Summary: | The COVID-19 pandemic has had an immense effect on everyday life around the globe. The disease has severely affected many of those who contracted the virus, of which some continue to experience prolonged symptoms of the disease months after recovery. Such symptoms have been named long-COVID and little is known about them. This study examines psychological factors and behavioral patterns which might play a role in long-COVID. Long-COVID symptoms share similar factors to persistent physical symptoms (PPS) and long-term conditions (LTC), which could prove useful in the understanding and treatment of long-COVID. Fourteen patients seeking rehabilitation due to long-COVID symptoms at Reykjalundur rehabilitation centre in Iceland took part in the study. Psychological processes, such as appraisals and activity patterns were identified as possible maintenance factors of long-COVID symptoms. These factors were similar to psychological processes known to play a role in the maintenance of PPS. Behavior and activity patterns seem to play an important role in long-COVID and can impact patients’ well-being. These factors could prove vital in the treatment of long-COVID, which could then in turn help patients manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Keywords: COVID-19, long-COVID, persistent physical symptoms, PPS, PPS model, long term conditions, LTC, qualitative study
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