Title How did different generations cope with the COVID-19 pandemic? Early stages of the pandemic in Spain
Authors Justo-Alonso A. , García-Dantas A. , González-Vázquez A.I. , SÁNCHEZ MARTÍN, MILAGROSA, del Río-Casanova L.
External publication No
Means Psicothema
Scope Article
Nature Científica
JCR Quartile 1
SJR Quartile 1
JCR Impact 3.89
SJR Impact 1.308
Web https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85092775168&doi=10.7334%2fpsicothema2020.168&partnerID=40&md5=d1baffd73386987165a7b56ec2af4afd
Publication date 01/11/2020
ISI 000581215700004
Scopus Id 2-s2.0-85092775168
DOI 10.7334/psicothema2020.168
Abstract Background: The World Health Organization has highlighted the importance of studying the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. The aim of this study is to examine the role of age in the early psychological responses to the pandemic in a Spanish community sample, focusing on how different generations coped with it. Method: An online survey was conducted during the early stages of the quarantine. Sociodemographic, health and behavioral variables were compared for five age groups. Mental health was assessed by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and psychological impacts were assessed by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Results: 3,524 participants were included (Mage = 39.24, SDage = 12.00). Participants aged between 18 and 33 years old showed more hyperactivation and evitation, were more depressed, anxious and stressed. Those aged between 26 and 33 years old showed more intrusion. Those aged between 18 and 25 years old suffered more sleep disturbances, claustrophobia and somatization and maintained worse routines. Elderly people showed better psychological responses in general. Conclusions: This study provides initial evidence that the negative psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic hits young people harder. These results should be taken into account when developing specific evidence-based strategies. © 2020 Psicothema.
Keywords Anxiety; Covid-19; Depression; Generations; Mental health; Pandemic
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