Exploring the Frequency of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in a Brazilian Sample during the COVID-19 Outbreak

Fabiana Silva Ribeiro, Flávia H. Santos, Luis Anunciação, Lucas Barrozo, Jesus Landeira-Fernandez and Anja K. Leist
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Fabiana Silva Ribeiro: Department of Social Sciences, University of Luxembourg, L-4366 Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
Flávia H. Santos: School of Psychology, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
Luis Anunciação: Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University, 22541-041 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Lucas Barrozo: Institute of Psychology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Jesus Landeira-Fernandez: Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University, 22541-041 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Anja K. Leist: Department of Social Sciences, University of Luxembourg, L-4366 Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-14

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency of international concern, and the main measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus causing COVID-19 were social distancing, quarantine, and self-isolation. Although these policies are effective in containing the spread of the virus, they might represent a challenge to psychological well-being, increasing levels of depressive and anxiety-related symptoms. Aims: We explored the frequency of anxiety and depression symptoms during COVID-19 restrictions and associations with sociodemographic factors in a Brazilian sample. Method: Data of a total of 936 Brazilian adults (68.2% women) aged 18 to 77 years old (M = 38.95, SD = 13.91) were collected through an online survey. Results: In general, we observed a frequency of 17.36% for severe anxiety and 66.13% for severe depression symptoms, in which younger participants (18–39 years old) and women showed higher scores in anxiety and depression scales compared to older age groups. Logistic regressions showed that women were more likely to present severe symptoms of anxiety (20.4%) compared to men (10.9%), as well as respondents in the educational sector (24.3%) compared to those in the health sector (10%). Conclusions: We highlight the importance of mental health professionals in developing strategies to help younger adults to mitigate the effects of social restriction.

Keywords: depression; anxiety; social distancing; Brazil; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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