Abstract
Although mental distress and quality of life (QoL) impairments because of the pandemic have increased worldwide, the way that each community has been affected has varied. This study evaluated the impact of social distancing imposed by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on Brazilians' mental health and QoL. In this cross-sectional community-based online survey, data from 1156 community-dwelling adults were gathered between 11 May and 3 June 2020. We examined independent correlates of depression, anxiety and QoL, including sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, optimism/pessimism and spiritual/religious coping. Dependent variables were assessed using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire for depressive symptoms, the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale for anxiety symptoms, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF for QoL. Correlates of depressive and anxiety disorder were estimated using logistic regression. There were high levels of depressive symptoms (41.9%) and anxiety symptoms (29.0%) in participants. Negative spiritual/religious coping was positively correlated with depressive disorder (odds ratio (OR) = 2.14 95% CI 1.63-2.80; P < 0.001) and with anxiety disorder (OR = 2.46 95% CI 1.90-3.18; P < 0.001), and associated with worse social and environmental QoL (P < 0.001). Healthcare professionals were less likely to have depressive symptoms (OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.55-0.93; P < 0.001). Participants with friend/family with COVID-19 scored lower on psychological and environmental QoL (P < 0.05). Participants with a longer duration of social isolation were less likely to experience anxiety disorder (OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99; P = 0.004). We found high levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms and low levels of QoL in Brazil, which has become a pandemic epicentre. Several characteristics were associated with negative mental health symptoms in this study. This information may contribute to local health policies in dealing with the mental health consequences of COVID-19.
Highlights
Mental distress and quality of life (QoL) impairments because of the pandemic have increased worldwide, the way that each community has been affected has varied
Negative spiritual/ religious coping was positively correlated with depressive disorder (odds ratio (OR) = 2.14 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 1.63–2.80; P < 0.001) and with anxiety disorder (OR = 2.46 95% CI 1.90–3.18; P < 0.001), and associated with worse social and environmental QoL (P < 0.001)
Participants with a longer duration of social isolation were less likely to experience anxiety disorder (OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.98–0.99; P = 0.004)
Summary
Mental distress and quality of life (QoL) impairments because of the pandemic have increased worldwide, the way that each community has been affected has varied. Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by infection with the SARS-COV-2 virus, a member of the coronavirus family.[1] COVID-19 can manifest clinically from being asymptomatic to developing acute respiratory distress syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.[1,2] Given its highly contagious nature, the World. The influence of catastrophic natural events on public mental health has been previously described.[5] Hurricane Ike led to major depressive disorder in 5% of the affected population assessed 1 month afterwards.[6] The SARS epidemic in 2003, caused by SARS-COV-1, resulted in high psychological distress among survivors.[7] Self-reported psychological distress and loneliness has grown during the current COVID-19 pandemic in the USA, when 2018 and 2020 were compared.[8] The same effects have been observed in China, where a quarter of all mental health patients in institutions reported issues related to COVID-19.9,10 A high percentage of healthcare professional report mental health problems.[11] mental health support to the general population has often been lacking.[9,12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
