Abstract

LIPP, Marilda Emmanuel Novaes  and  LIPP, Louis Mario Novaes. Stress and mental disorders during the COVID-19 epidemics in Brazil. Bol. - Acad. Paul. Psicol. [online]. 2020, vol.40, n.99, pp. 180-191. ISSN 1415-711X.

The survey found in a spontaneous cross-sectional sample of 3,223 Brazilian adults who answered an online questionnaire: (1) stress, depression, anxiety and physical illnesses present, (2) the coping strategies used, (3) the stressors present, (4) the level of confidence in the authorities decisions and (5) what positive issues the quarantine was bringing to the respondents. The results indicated high levels of stress (60%), anxiety (57.5%), depression (26%) and panic (14%) as well as great uncertainty about the future. It was observed that there was a significant association between having stress and anxiety (X2 = 739.40, gl = 1, p = 0.001); stress and depression (X2 = 286.94, gl = 1, p = 0.001) and stress and panic (X2 = 209.06, gl = 1, p = 0.001). The most mentioned stressor was uncertainty as to whether the authorities were taking the right actions to control the pandemic, followed by concern about possible contamination of family members and finances. Results indicate the need for governmental and corporate actions to support individuals with emotional difficulties to prevent the establishment of a pandemic of mental disorders in the future.

Keywords : COVID-19 pandemic; mental disorders; stress.

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