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COVID-19 Lockdown and Mental Health in a Sample Population in Spain: The Role of Self-Compassion

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  • María Elena Gutiérrez-Hernández

    (School of Medicine, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35001 Las Palmas, Spain
    Servicio de Psiquiatría, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular-Materno Infantil, 35016 Las Palmas, Spain)

  • Luisa Fernanda Fanjul

    (School of Medicine, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35001 Las Palmas, Spain)

  • Alicia Díaz-Megolla

    (Departamento de Educación, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35001 Las Palmas, Spain)

  • Pablo Reyes-Hurtado

    (Servicio de Psiquiatría, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular-Materno Infantil, 35016 Las Palmas, Spain)

  • Jonay Francisco Herrera-Rodríguez

    (Servicio de Psiquiatría, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular-Materno Infantil, 35016 Las Palmas, Spain)

  • María del Pilar Enjuto-Castellanos

    (School of Valladolid, Universidad de Valladolid, 37008 Salamanca, Spain)

  • Wenceslao Peñate

    (Departamento de Psicología Clínica, Psicobiología y Metodología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
    Instituto Universitario de Neurociencia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain)

Abstract

Previous data support that mental health is affected during pandemic and lockdown situations. Yet, little is known about the positive factors that protect mental health during a lockdown. This study analyzed mental health status—particularly emotional problems—and the role of several sociodemographic and clinical variables; it also explored whether there is a positive relationship between self-compassion and better mental health status. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Spain with the participation of 917 fluent Spanish-speaking residents in a survey conducted approximately midway through the COVID-19 lockdown. The survey tested for anxiety, depression, and stress using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) to measure self-compassion values, and the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire (PVDQ) to assess the degree of risk perceived by participants. Around 30% of the individuals surveyed (recruited by snowball sampling) showed clinically significant levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. The variables most frequently associated with anxiety, depression, and stress were low levels of self-compassion, age, gender, previous physical symptoms, a previous mental disorder, being a student, and perceived vulnerability to disease. We discuss the hypothetical protective role against anxiety, depression, and stress of certain skills such as self-compassion and the possibility that increasing self-compassion may be used to promote better mental health in similar situations.

Suggested Citation

  • María Elena Gutiérrez-Hernández & Luisa Fernanda Fanjul & Alicia Díaz-Megolla & Pablo Reyes-Hurtado & Jonay Francisco Herrera-Rodríguez & María del Pilar Enjuto-Castellanos & Wenceslao Peñate, 2021. "COVID-19 Lockdown and Mental Health in a Sample Population in Spain: The Role of Self-Compassion," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:2103-:d:503331
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Annika H. Davidsen & Maria S. Petersen, 2021. "The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Mental Well-Being and Working Life among Faroese Employees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-14, April.
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    4. Rachele Mariani & Alessia Renzi & Cinzia Di Monte & Elena Petrovska & Michela Di Trani, 2021. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Primary Emotional Systems and Emotional Regulation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-8, May.

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