Gender perspective of psychological discomfort during COVID-19 confinement among Spanish adult population: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: BMJ open Vol. 11; no. 12; p. e051572
• Main Authors: Gómez-Salgado, Juan, Domínguez-Salas, Sara, Rodríguez-Domínguez, Carmen, Allande-Cussó, Regina, Romero-Martín, Macarena, Ruiz-Frutos, Carlos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England British Medical Journal Publishing Group 20-12-2021; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Publishing Group
• Series: Original research
• Subjects: Adult; Anxiety; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data collection; Employment; Epidemiology; Female; Gender differences; Humans; Insomnia; Male; Measuring instruments; Medical personnel; Mental Health; Pandemics; Population; Public health; Quarantine; Questionnaires; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; sexual and gender disorders; Spain - epidemiology; Stress, Psychological - epidemiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Variables; Womens health; Spain; COVID-19; sexual and gender disorders; mental health; public health
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051572

ObjectiveCOVID-19 disease has affected more than a hundred countries worldwide and has exposed the population to an increase in mental health problems. The objective of this study was to assess the emotional impact of the pandemic from a gender perspective, as well as to study the modulating variables of that impact.DesignA descriptive and cross-sectional study through the General Health Questionnaire scale and the Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale is developed.SettingGeneral population of Spain was the target of this studyParticipantsThe sample consisted of 3801 adult subjects living in Spain, without diagnosis for Sars-Cov-2 virus infection during confinement.InterventionData collection was carried out using an online questionnaire, from 26 March 2020 to 26 April 2020.Primary and secondary outcomes measuresA sample profile description was obtained, regarding to the study variables. Later, a regression model was implemented in order to test the relationship between these variables, and to achieve a predictive model of psychological discomfort controlling the gender variable.ResultsThe results showed that women, as compared with men, had increased psychological discomfort during confinement (t=−12.877; p<0.001; d=0.470). In contrast, significantly higher scores were observed on the SOC scale (t=6.336; p<0.001; d=0.231) in men, as compared with those obtained by women.ConclusionsWomen have higher levels of psychological discomfort, increased concern about getting infected with COVID-19 and infecting others, as well as a lower level of SOC and perceived health. In addition, low levels of SOC predict greater concern about contagion and increased psychological discomfort.