Cognitive Subjective Well-Being during the Second Lockdown in Portugal: The Predictive Role of Sociodemographic and Psychopathological Dimensions

Abstract

The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being has been widely described. However, studies on how country-specific characteristics influenced the impacts of the pandemic experience on cognitive subjective well-being are still needed. This study examined the predictive role of sociodemographic characteristics and psychopathological dimensions on cognitive subjective well-being during the second lockdown period in Portugal. An online sample of 332 adults completed a series of self-report instruments between April and July 2021, covering the period from 15 January to 15 March 2021. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that being married or living in a civil union, not having/or living with children, not living with/or caring for an elderly person, and not being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 were significant and positive predictors of higher cognitive subjective well-being. In contrast, a non-heterosexual sexual orientation; isolation due to COVID-19; and higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, along with repetitive negative thinking, were significant predictors of negative cognitive subjective well-being during the second lockdown in Portugal. The importance of developing promotional, preventive, and remedial interventions focused on specific country and individual characteristics for poor cognitive subjective well-being for promoting mental health and well-being during this critical period and similar future crisis events is discussed.