Psychological Distress of University Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil

Abstract

The study aimed to explore mental distress during COVID-19 quarantine in a sample of university workers in Brazil. The survey included sets of questions about demographics, health, and support, an open question about major concerns, and the Clinical Outcome Routine Evaluation (CORE-OM), a measure of mental distress. A total of 407 professionals, mean age 40, SD 11.2, fulfilling social distancing (99%) participated in the study. Participants were mostly female (67.8%) and married (64.8%). Using the Consensual Qualitative Research process for simple qualitative data (CQR-M), the main areas of concern were grouped into six domains, as follows: work, health, isolation, personal life and routine, social environment, and future. Many responses were multiple. They form categories indicating specific concerns within these domains. Quantitative data were analyzed by identifying the simple effects of potential predictors of mental distress. The results indicated medium effects of help with household chores (η2 = 0.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.022–0.095)), psychiatric treatment (η2 = 0.06, CI (0.030–0.110)), age (η2 = 0.12, CI (0.070–0.170)), and physical exercise (η2 = 0.12, CI (0.079–0.180)). Having someone available to listen was the only variable with a large effect associated with reduced mental suffering (η2 = 0.18; CI (0.118–0.227)). Psychological experiences of the pandemic are multifaceted and complex. Thus, substantially larger surveys, with both quantitative and qualitative components, are needed.

Teachers’ Mental Health and Self-Reported Coping Strategies During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ecuador: A Mixed-Methods Study

“…The mean level of psychological distress in our study was 0.99 ( SD = 0.62), which is slightly lower than the general psychological distress cut-off score of 1.1 reported by Barkham et al 35 before the pandemic and the mean of 1.05 reported during the pandemic in Brazil with one of the CORE system measures. 44 The perceived stress score was lower ( M =13, SD = 6.8) than the scores reported by Pieh, Budimir, and Probst 45 in a study conducted in Austria with the general population during the COVID-19 lockdown ( M =15.98, SD = 7.47). In addition, life satisfaction was high in our sample.…”

COVID-19 lockdown and lifestyles: A narrative review

“…Higher stress levels associated with lockdown measures were observed in some groups, such as women [185][186][187] (particularly pregnant women 188,189 ), single/divorced adults 81 , older people (particularly with pre-existing mental health conditions 175,190 ), parents with young children 191 , university students and young adults [192][193][194] , workers 195 , those self-medicating 196 , the economically deprived 143 , those with pre-existing depression 197 , bipolar disorders 198 , and other chronic medical conditions 139,189,[199][200][201] . A large study of 56,679 participants in China found that quarantine had a profound effect on the mental health of specific vulnerable groups, including those with pre-existing mental disorders, chronic physical diseases, frontline workers, and those living in the most affected areas 202 .…”

Impact of COVID-19 on mental health and health-related quality of life of humanitarian and healthcare workers in low-income countries. The case of Eastern Africa.

“…As a result of this critical situation, front-line health and humanitarian workers who are directly involved in the diagnosis, management, and prevention of COVID-19 are at high risk of contracting COVID-19 disease and developing psychological disorders, distress, and other mental health symptoms. A large study with a probabilistic sampling of the UK population indicated that comparing before and during the lockdown, there was an increase in the overall mental distress, with the prevalence of clinical levels reaching 27.3% of the participants (3). A cross-sectional study conducted in Vietnam in March 2020, showed a moderate rate of psychological distress and lower HRQoL outcomes among frontline HCWs during the COVID-19 outbreak in Vietnam (4).…”