And after the pandemic? Factors associated with obsessive compulsive disorder during COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction/objectives: The present study aims to identify factors associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in Brazilians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A non-probabilistic sample was used, with 1,899 people from different regions, who responded to assessment instruments regarding OCD, Coping Resources, Religiosity, Perceived Support from Friends and Relatives and sociodemographic data. Buffering Hypothesis of social support and the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping were employed as theoretical frameworks to guide the interpretation of results. Results: The results, based on sample comparisons, identified groups at higher vulnerability for OCD symptoms after the pandemic: the LGBTQI+ population, single people, unemployed individuals and students, lower income families, those without religion or not attending religious centres, those with adherence to social isolation, residing or living with individuals in risk groups, with a history of COVID-19 infection, pre-existing mental conditions, and a history of psychological/psychiatric treatment or counselling. Furthermore, correlations and multiple linear regression identified eight predictor variables for OCD symptoms: young age, not working as a healthcare professional, low coping scores, lower perceived social support, not attending religious centres, pre-existing mental illness symptoms before the pandemic, and high levels of anxiety and depression. Conclusions: It is concluded that identifying predictor factors for mental health issues helps in recognising risk and protective factors and designing more effective prevention and intervention programmes.