COVID-19 Lockdown and Mental Health in a Sample Population in Spain: The Role of Self-Compassion

Abstract

Previous data support that mental health is affected during pandemic and lockdown situations. Yet, little is known about the positive factors that protect mental health during a lockdown. This study analyzed mental health status—particularly emotional problems—and the role of several sociodemographic and clinical variables; it also explored whether there is a positive relationship between self-compassion and better mental health status. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Spain with the participation of 917 fluent Spanish-speaking residents in a survey conducted approximately midway through the COVID-19 lockdown. The survey tested for anxiety, depression, and stress using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) to measure self-compassion values, and the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire (PVDQ) to assess the degree of risk perceived by participants. Around 30% of the individuals surveyed (recruited by snowball sampling) showed clinically significant levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. The variables most frequently associated with anxiety, depression, and stress were low levels of self-compassion, age, gender, previous physical symptoms, a previous mental disorder, being a student, and perceived vulnerability to disease. We discuss the hypothetical protective role against anxiety, depression, and stress of certain skills such as self-compassion and the possibility that increasing self-compassion may be used to promote better mental health in similar situations.

The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Mental Well-Being and Working Life among Faroese Employees

“…In our study, perceived stress was associated with poor mental health, which makes sense considering the interrelatedness of these constructs: high levels of stress typically have an adverse effect on the overall mental well-being and vice versa. A university degree also predicted poor mental well-being in our study, which is similar to results from a recent Spanish study that found a relationship between higher education and higher levels of depression [ 14 ]. In other studies, higher socioeconomic status has been associated with better mental well-being and health in general [ 36 , 37 ].…”

“…In a survey among the general Italian population, respondents reported scores within clinical ranges for overall distress, depression, anxiety and PTSD [ 13 ]. Similarly, a cross-sectional population study in Spain showed that around 30% of the respondents exhibited symptoms within the clinical range of depression, anxiety and stress [ 14 ] Unsafe and poor working conditions of health-care workers, especially in the long-term care sector, makes residents and employees more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, morbidity and mortality [ 15 ]. In some countries, nursing homes have been severely affected by the pandemic; in May 2020, 53.1% of all COVID-19 related deaths in Belgium and 51% of all COVID-19 related deaths in France occurred in nursing homes [ 16 ].…”

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Primary Emotional Systems and Emotional Regulation

“…Furthermore, the sample was composed of volunteers available to be re-selected from a previous study, which may have introduced a selection bias. A further limitation is linked to having investigated only two macro strategies for regulating emotions, instead of explaining more specific modalities that are useful in the management of psychopathology [ 36 ].…”

Evaluation of the Risk of Anxiety and/or Depression during Confinement Due to COVID-19 in Central Spain

“…The findings of this research show the possibility of suffering from anxiety and depression in a situation of home confinement and justify the creation of health programs to prevent this alteration of psychological health, as well as early detection, follow-up and treatment of the problems generated by isolation in the home in the face of an illness that entails major changes in living and working habits. Certain skills such as self-efficacy and the possibility that increasing self-compassion may be used to promote better mental health in similar situations [35][36][37].…”