Salud mental en población mexicana por COVID-19 / Mental health in the Mexican population due to COVID-19

RESUMEN

Este artículo analiza el estado de salud mental de población adulta de México en el contexto de pandemia ocasionada por el virus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Participaron 899 participantes de diferentes regiones de México Medad = 34. 8, DE= 11.38, mujeres= 641, hombres=258, durante el contexto de pandemia por COVID-19. Los instrumentos aplicados fueron la Escala de Miedo al COVID-19 (FCV-19S), la Escala para el Trastorno de Ansiedad Generalizada (GAD-7), el Test de Propósito de Vida (PIL), el Cuestionario de Salud del Paciente (PHQ-9) y el Cuestionario Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) para el apoyo social. La aplicación se realizó de manera individual, durante el período del 12 de junio al 14 de septiembre de 2020. Los resultados indicaron que los participantes no presentaron síntomas agudos de miedo hacia la COVID-19. No obstante, se encontró presencia considerable de ansiedad generalizada y de depresión en diferentes niveles. El apoyo social y propósito de vida se encuentran presentes, contrarrestando la ansiedad y la depresión, mientras que el miedo y la cantidad de horas de exposición a pensamientos sobre COVID-19 contribuyeron de forma positiva a estas variables psicológicas. Se concluye que la crisis sanitaria ocasionada por COVID-19 ha impactado fuertemente en la salud mental de los participantes, no obstante, existen fortalezas como el apoyo social y el propósito de vida que ayudan a sobrellevar los efectos de la pandemia y se debería trabajar en ellas para promover la salud mental durante los momentos de la crisis sanitaria(AU)

ABSTRACT

This paper analyzes the status of mental health of the adult population of Mexico in the context of the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19). This article analyzes the mental health status of the adult population of Mexico in the context of the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19). A total of 899 participants from different regions of Mexico participated, M age = 34.8, SD= 11.38, women= 641, men=258, during the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The instruments applied were the COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV-19S), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the Purpose I Life Test (PIL), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ -9) and the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Questionnaire for social support. The application was carried out individually, during the period from June 12 to September 14, 2020. The results indicated that the participants did not present acute symptoms of fear towards COVID-19. However, a considerable presence of generalized anxiety and depression was found at different levels. Social support and life purpose are present, counteracting anxiety and depression, while fear and the number of hours of exposure to thoughts about COVID-19 contributed positively to these psychological variables. It is concluded that the health crisis caused by COVID-19 has strongly impacted on the mental health of the participants; however, there are strengths such as social support and life purpose that help to cope with the effects of the pandemic. Therefore, these two strengths should be worked on to promote mental health during times of health crisis(AU)