Loneliness, mental health and COVID - 19 in the Spanish population
- Berta Ausín 1
- Clara González - Sanguino 1
- Miguel Ángel Castellanos 1
- Jesús Saiz 1
- Carolina Ugidos 1
- Aída López - Gómez 1
- Manuel Muñoz 1
- 1 Universidad Complutense de Madrid, España
ISSN: 1138-2635, 1989-3809
Year of publication: 2021
Issue Title: Impacto de la pandemia de COVID-19 en la salud mental
Volume: 14
Issue: 2
Pages: 51-62
Type: Article
More publications in: Escritos de psicología
Abstract
The study aim was to assess the effects of the health emergency and the stay at home restrictions on loneliness variables in the Spanish population during the initial stage of COVID-19. A cross sectional study was conducted through an online survey of 3480 people. From March 14, 2020, screening tests were used to evaluate sociodemographic and COVID-19- related data on loneliness, social support, the presence of mental health symptoms, discrimination, and spiritual well-being. Descriptive analyses were conducted and linear regression models were constructed. A negative association was found between loneliness and being older, being partnered, having children, being a university graduate, being retired or still working, having stronger religious beliefs, believing that information provided about the pandemic was adequate, having social support, and having self compassion. Actions that promote social support and further studies on loneliness in groups of older people are needed to prevent the pandemic having a stronger impact on mental health and well-being.
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