Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic first reached Brazil in late February 2020. Since then, it is one of the most affected countries globally. The rise of mental health problems in the population directly or indirectly affected is now a major concern. In the present study, we show the results of the first wave of the COVIDPsiq cohort study, which started early on (April 2020). The aim of this study was to investigate and compare independent predictors of symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Brazilians one month after social distancing measures were implemented. Methods: Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) were the two self-report instruments used to assess the symptoms. Variables related to demographics, social distancing, exposure to the news of coronavirus pandemic, substance use, and traumatic situations were also analyzed. Data was gathered through a web-based survey. Multivariate analyses were performed through hierarchical multiple linear regression models (HMLR). Result: A sample of 3,587 participants completed the questionnaire, among which approximately two-thirds considered that their mental health worsened after the beginning of the social restriction measures. Stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD levels were highly correlated with this self-perception. The five most important predictors of psychological distress were the distress related to pandemic news, younger age, current psychiatric diagnosis, trouble sleeping, and emotional abuse or violence. Limitations: This is an internet survey-based study in which convenience sample bias may limit its external validity. It does not represent the northern regions of the country and most participants are white wealthier females. It was not possible to evaluate if symptoms are clinically relevant to infer an increased incidence of mental illness. Conclusions: These results confirm the hypothesis that a pandemic would have important impacts on the mental health of the population and indicate the level of distress related to the media as an important predictor of mental symptoms.
In view of the evolution of the pandemic by COVID-19 in Brazil, and the adoption of social restriction measures, an increase in cases of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder and depression is expected. In epidemic situations, mental health services can become overloaded; however, the evolution of these disorders over time is not known. This study aims to monitor the evolution of PTSD symptoms, anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazilians, and to investigate sociodemographic risk factors related to psychiatric history and contagion, as well as maladaptive personality traits and posttraumatic growth. It will be a longitudinal study, conducted through online questionnaires, with a sample of non-probabilistic convenience. The inclusion criteria are: being brazilian born or living in Brazilian territory; be over 18 years old; have access to digital devices; and be literate. A sample of at least 2000 people is expected. The instruments applied are a research questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Checklist 5 (PCL-5), the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 – brief form (PID-5-BF), and the PostTraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). The study will be carried out in four stages: entry, one month, three months, and six months after the entry. The study relies on voluntary participation, with the agreement through the Free and Informed Consent Form. Data collection will be conducted in 2020, and the study will be completed in 2021. It will be financed with its own resources, and encouragement will be sought through research funding agencies.
In view of the evolution of the pandemic by COVID-19 in Brazil, and the adoption of social restriction measures, an increase in cases of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder and depression is expected. In epidemic situations, mental health services can become overloaded; however, the evolution of these disorders over time is not known. This study aims to monitor the evolution of PTSD symptoms, anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazilians, and to investigate sociodemographic risk factors related to psychiatric history and contagion, as well as maladaptive personality traits and posttraumatic growth. It will be a longitudinal study, conducted through online questionnaires, with a sample of non-probabilistic convenience. The inclusion criteria are: being brazilian born or living in Brazilian territory; be over 18 years old; have access to digital devices; and be literate. A sample of at least 2000 people is expected. The instruments applied are a research questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Checklist 5 (PCL-5), the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 – brief form (PID-5-BF), and the PostTraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). The study will be carried out in four stages: entry, one month, three months, and six months after the entry. The study relies on voluntary participation, with the agreement through the Free and Informed Consent Form. Data collection will be conducted in 2020, and the study will be completed in 2021. It will be financed with its own resources, and encouragement will be sought through research funding agencies.
Introduction:The pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has changed the lifestyle of the general population, mainly due to the distancing and isolation measures adopted to contain the spread of the disease. These measures generated a series of stressors, including an increase in domestic violence. Objective:To identify the occurrence of domestic violence during isolation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, its association with issues related to mental health and poorly adaptive personality traits. Method: Nonprobabilistic study, composed of a sample of 3625 participants who were assessed using the PCL-5, DASS-21, PID-5-BF and AUDIT-C. Instruments were administered on-line from April 22, 2020 to May 8, 2020. Results: 379 (13%) of respondents experienced some type of adverse situation during social distancing. Participants who experienced violence had higher alcohol consumption (p=0.004), greater severity of symptoms related to a diagnosis of PTSD (p <0.001), and greater prevalence of anxiety (p<0.001) and depression (p<0.001) symptoms in relation to those who had no such experiences. They also demonstrated higher PID-5 scores of maladaptive personality traits, such as negative affectivity (p<0.001), distance (p<0.001), antagonism (p<0.001), disinhibition (p<0.001) and psychoticism (p<0.001). Conclusion: Isolation due to the pandemic is having a great impact on people's mental health, specifically on those who have experienced violence. Together with public agencies and the private sector, strategies should be created aimed at scaling up interventions to mitigate this impact of the pandemic, especially by providing expanded listening spaces in the health and social care sectors.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.