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

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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Published

2021-12-01

How to Cite

Ausín, B., González-Sanguino, C., Castellanos, M. Ángel, Saiz, J., Ugidos, C., López-Gómez, A., & Muñoz, M. (2021). Loneliness, mental health and COVID-19 in the Spanish population. Escritos De Psicología - Psychological Writings, 14(2), 51–62. https://doi.org/10.24310/espsiescpsi.v14i2.12498

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 2 (2021): IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON MENTAL HEALTH

Section

Research Reports

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