Reacciones psicológicas en población española derivadas del confinamiento por COVID-19.

Background and purpose: The measures adopted to control the COVID-19 pandemic cause emotional difficulties and have a significant psychosocial impact on the population. This research was conducted with the aim of exploring possible psychological effects, understood as symptoms of anxiety and depression, experienced in the confined population in Spain, as well as knowing the mediating role played by demographic variables. Method: A sample of 452 participants was recruited and administered an online questionnaire about anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 scale) and depression (PHQ-9 Questionnaire), as well as demographic variables. Two measures were made, the first between 30 March and 5 April, and the second between 13 and 21 April. The statistical package SPSS v.21 was used for the analysis of the results. Results: The results of the second measure reveal that around 30% of the population had moderate or severe symptoms of anxiety and depression within 30 days of confinement. These were higher in women, students, residents in an interior flat, those who saw their income decreased or those with a history of mental health. On the other hand, being over 56 years old, having higher education or living with a person, was related to lower levels of symptoms. Conclusions: The Spanish population experienced anxiety and depression reactions after a month of home confinement. Demographic variables acted as modulators of these effects.