46% of the population has experienced an increase in their general psychological distress as a result of the Covid-19 health crisis and confinement. They are data from an inter-university study, led by the University of the Basque Country with the participation of the University of Barcelona, the University of Murcia, the Miguel Hernández University (eLCHE), the University of Granada and the National University of Distance Education.
This percentage has been even higher in the case of women (48%), people affected by coronavirus and young people. The research has involved the participation of a total of 6,829 people between 18 and 92 years old from all the autonomous communities.
The feelings of unreality among the population that has participated in the study also stand out. 38% of men and 48% of women claim to have had feelings of unreality. Regarding indicators of anxiety and fear, the percentage of people in which uncertainty has increased (78%) stands out. This figure is even higher among those who have had symptoms or diagnosis of Covid-19 and among those who have lost their employment temporarily or permanently. Concern about suffering or contracting a serious illness (Covid-19 or others), is notably accentuated among people over 60 years of age (76%); and increased fear of losing loved ones, especially among people affected by Covid-19 (83%).
Also notable is the increase from depressive, pessimistic or hopeless feelings, which occurred in 43% of the population. This trend is greater in people who have had symptoms or diagnosis of Covid-19, in those who are going through confinement alone, in women, in those who have lost their jobs and in younger age groups.
44% of the participating people indicated that their optimism and confidence have decreased. People who have seen their work situation worse, those with Covid-19 symptoms or diagnosis, and women, are the groups in which this percentage was higher. Feelings of vitality and energy have worsened, as 49% say they have decreased. Again, this effect is greater in women, in younger groups, in people affected by Covid-19, with a worse work situation and in areas with a higher incidence of the pandemic.
In general, an increase in feelings of irritability and anger has been observed (47%) and since mood changes (45%), this increase being greater in the younger age groups, in women and in those who have had symptoms. or diagnosis of Covid-19.
Regarding behavioral changes, the most notable results are the following: more than 40% of the participants have indicated that consumption of high-calorie foods has increased, while 46% reduced the practice of physical exercise, being this reduction more noticeable as age grows. Also noteworthy is the large percentage of people who have increased the use of social networks (over 70%), that of people who spend more time watching television (67%), and the greater use of video games, especially among younger (reaching 64%).
