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. 2021 Jan-Jun;14(1):55-65.
doi: 10.21500/20112084.4765.

Mood and Affective Balance of Spaniards Confined by COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

Maria Del Carmen Perez-Fuentes  1 , Maria Del Mar Molero Jurado  1 , Africa Martos Martinez  1 , Maria Del Mar Simon Marquez  1 , Jose Jesus Gazquez Linares  1   2
Affiliations

Mood and Affective Balance of Spaniards Confined by COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

Maria Del Carmen Perez-Fuentes et al. Int J Psychol Res (Medellin). 2021 Jan-Jun.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

The aim of this study was to analyze the mood and affective balance of Spaniards in quarantine and determine the predictive role of sociodemographic variables and mood on the negative affective balance. This cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 1014 Spanish adults, 67.2% were women and 32.8% men. The age ranged from 17 to 76. The instruments used were the Mood Assessment Scale and the Affective Balance Scale, which were implemented as a CAWI survey (Computer Aided Web Interviewing). Results showed that age correlated negatively with Sadness-Depression, Anxiety, and Happiness. Women had more Sadness-Depression, Anxiety, and negative affect, while men showed more Happiness and higher positive affect. Thus, the risk of a negative affective balance during confinement was greater for women and those who showed an emotional state marked by sadness-depression and anxiety, while older age and higher scores in happiness were associated with lower risk. In conclusion, knowing which groups are at risk of emotional and affective alteration can facilitate the detection and prevention of later disorders, such as severe stress and posttraumatic stress disorder, avoiding their generalized presence, and becoming a new public health problem derived from COVID-19.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar el estado de ánimo y el balance afectivo de los españoles en cuarentena y determinar el papel predictivo de las variables sociodemográficas y de los estados anímicos, sobre el balance afectivo negativo. Se trata de un estudio transversal, con una muestra de 1014 adultos españoles, siendo el 67.2% mujeres y el 32.8% restante, hombres. El rango de edad estuvo entre 18 y 76 años. Los instrumentos empleados fueron la Escala de Evaluación del Estado de Ánimo y la Escala de Equilibrio Afectivo, empleando para su implementación una encuesta CAWI (Computer Aided Web Interviewing). Los resultados mostraron que la edad correlaciona negativamente con la Tristeza-Depresión, la Ansiedad y Alegría. Las mujeres presentan mayor nivel de Tristeza-Depresión, Ansiedad y afecto negativo, mientras que los hombres presentan más Alegría y mayor nivel de afecto positivo. Por lo tanto, el riesgo de presentar un balance afectivo negativo durante el confinamiento es mayor entre mujeres y entre quienes manifiestan un estado emocional marcado por la tristeza-depresión y la ansiedad, mientras que tener mayor edad y mostrar puntuaciones elevadas en alegría se asocia con menor riesgo. En conclusión, conocer los grupos de riesgo en alteraciones emocionales y afectivas puede facilitar la detección y prevención de trastornos posteriores, como estrés agudo y trastorno de estrés postraumático, evitando la presencia generalizada, y que esto se convierta en un nuevo problema de Salud Pública derivado del COVID-19.

Keywords: Covid-19; Emotions; Mental Health; Mood; Spain.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interests: The authors have declared that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Mood by Sex and Minor Children
Figure 2
Figure 2. Affective Balance by Sex and Minor Children
Figure 3
Figure 3. Negative affect. ANOVA(post hoc), by marital status
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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