Loneliness, mental health and COVID-19 in the Spanish population

Berta Ausín; Clara González-Sanguino; Miguel Ángel Castellanos; Jesús Saiz; Carolina Ugidos; Aída López-Gómez; Manuel Muñoz

doi:10.24310/espsiescpsi.v14i2.12498

Authors

Berta Ausín School of Psychology, Personality, Evaluation and Clinical Psychology Department, Complutense University of Madrid, España Spain
Clara González-Sanguino School of Psychology, Personality, Evaluation and Clinical Psychology Department, Complutense University of Madrid, España Spain
Miguel Ángel Castellanos School of Psychology, Psychobiology and Methodology in Behavioral Sciences Department. Complutense University of Madrid, España Spain
Jesús Saiz School of Psychology, Department of Social, Labor and Differential Psychology. Chair Against Stigma Grupo 5-Complutense University of Madrid, España Spain
Carolina Ugidos School of Psychology, Department of Social, Labor and Differential Psychology. Chair Against Stigma Grupo 5-Complutense University of Madrid, España Spain
Aída López-Gómez Chair Against Stigma Grupo 5-Complutense University of Madrid, School of Psychology. Complutense University of Madrid, España Spain
Manuel Muñoz School of Psychology, Department of Social, Labor and Differential Psychology. Chair Against Stigma Grupo 5-Complutense University of Madrid, España Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24310/espsiescpsi.v14i2.12498

Keywords:

COVID-19; Loneliness; Mental Health; Social isolation; Quarantine

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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