Effects on Mental Health After the COVID-19 Lockdown Period: Results From a Population Survey Study in Lima, Peru

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 has created a rapid onset health crisis severely affecting different countries, such as Peru. This pandemic also involved social changes, such as the COVID-19 lockdown, which has had negative effects on different aspects of peoples’ mental health. For this reason, the main objective of this work is to establish a model that explains the effects of the COVID-19-lockdown period on the mental health of a population sample in Peru. Methods: In this sense, online questionnaires were carried out using the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and CPDI in 400 participants. To better explain the data, an ordinal logistic regression was carried out. Results: The model showed that the severity of stress due to COVID-19 is positively associated with the variables age (OR = 1.02; CI95 [1.01; 1.04]), depression (OR = 1.29; CI95 [1.14; 1.31]) and anxiety (OR = 1.49; CI95 [1.35; 1.66]), as well as with the presence of a deceased relative due to COVID-19 (OR = 3.53; CI95 [1.43; 8.82]). On the contrary, the presence of a family member who was hospitalized for COVID-19 is negatively correlated with COVID-19 related stress (OR = 0.30; CI95 [0.13; 0.69]). Conclusion: In conclusion, elderly people, having high levels of anxiety or depression, as well as having a deceased relative due to COVID-19 show higher levels of COVID-19 related stress. These factors play an important role in the intervention of future studies that plan to intervene in the mental health of the population affected by the COVID-19 lockdown.

Evaluation of peritraumatic distress at the point of care: A cross-sectional study

“…This finding has clear implications from a possible prevention perspective and could suggest further studies aimed at investigating a possible correlation between alcohol use disorder and peritraumatic distress. The loss of a relative due to COVID-19 emerged as a factor independently associated with peritraumatic distress and it confirms what has already been found by other studies ( Krüger-Malpartida et al, 2020 ).…”

“…A change in working habits has proved to be a risk factor in our sample. In this context, previous literature revealed divergent results regarding specific occupational categories so far ( Al-Hanawi et al, 2020 ; Kafle et al, 2021 ; Krüger-Malpartida et al, 2020 ; Shrestha et al, 2020 ; Zapata-Ospina et al, 2021 ). In line with our findings, peritraumatic distress seems to be more related to working changes, including demotion or job loss, rather than to a specific occupational category itself, even if it is at risk or exposes people to contagion.…”

“…Covid Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) is considered a valid tool to assess peritraumatic distress related to COVID-19 ( Costantini and Mazzotti, 2020 ). Indeed, several studies performed in different countries focused on its validation ( Costantini and Mazzotti, 2020 ; Karadağ and Kokaçya, 2021 ; Krüger-Malpartida et al, 2020 ; Nagarajappa et al, 2021 ). However, previous literature showed heterogeneous results regarding sociodemographic features, life habits, and psychological distress related to COVID-19.…”

Emotional Impact on Health Personnel, Medical Students, and General Population Samples During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Lima, Peru

“…A Peruvian study showed that almost half of the participants showed mild to severe scores related to COVID-19 related stress. 10 Other non-healthcare workers have reported that processing COVID-19 information is correlated positively with distress levels. 11 Another example with the general population not related to health professions is the study of Zhang et al Higher levels of depression were found among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic, mostly related to stress and hopeless feelings.…”

Cross-cultural validation of the new version of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale in twelve Latin American countries

“…Regarding anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence worldwide varies between 6.33% to 50.9% (Pappa et al, 2020 ; Wu et al, 2020 ; Xiong et al, 2020 ), being higher in women than men (Moghanibashi-Mansourieh, 2020 ); while in Latin America, the prevalence varies between 5.6% to 81.9% (Alzueta et al, 2021 ; Goularte et al, 2021 ; Krüger-Malpartida et al, 2020 ; Orellana & Orellana, 2020 ; Paz et al, 2020 ). However, many of the previous studies have used instruments that assess general anxiety, such as the GAD-7, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the DASS-21.…”