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Immediate Psychological Responses During the Early Stage of the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) in the General Population in Spain: ISAMEC19 STUDY
30 Pages Posted: 27 May 2020
More...Abstract
Background: An outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus disease s (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China , has spread quickly around the world and is currently considered a pandemic. The WHO has remarked on the relevance of studying its potential consequences on mental health. We present research on the initial psychological response to the pandemic and the isolation created by COVID-19 in Spain.
Methods: From March 23 to 28, 2020 (9 to 14 days after the state of emergency), an online survey was conducted in the Spanish general population. Sociodemographic data and other health variables were assessed. Mental health was assessed by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the psychological impact by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and self-care by the Self-Care Scale (SCS).
Findings: The study included 3524 respondents, 24.1% of whom showed moderate or severe psychological impacts. A total of 21.9% reported moderate, severe or extremely severe depression. Thirty-two percent suffered moderate, severe or extremely severe anxiety. A total of 30.3% showed moderate, severe or extremely severe stress. Mean difference analysis and univariate general linear models showed that female gender, younger age, low education levels, psychiatric diagnosis, worse physical health, contact history, increased use of relaxation drugs, worse self-care patterns, lack of routines, and some psychological symptoms were related to worse psychological responses (p<0.05).
Interpretation: This study provides initial evidence that a negative psychological impact starts in the early stages of the pandemic. Mental health strategies should be implemented as soon as possible, might consider specific vulnerable groups and should be focused on the evidence-based psychological factors detected.
Funding Statement: No funding.
Declaration of Interests: No competing interest.
Ethics Approval Statement: The research protocol was previously approved by the Loyola Andalucía University Ethics Committee (Spain) following the Declaration of Helsinki principles.
Keywords: coronavirus pandemic; psychological impact; quarantine consequences; mental health
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation