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Protective Elements of Mental Health Status during the COVID-19 Outbreak in the Portuguese Population

Author

Listed:
  • Pedro Silva Moreira

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
    Psychological Neuroscience Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Sónia Ferreira

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Beatriz Couto

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Mafalda Machado-Sousa

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Marcos Fernández

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Catarina Raposo-Lima

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Nuno Sousa

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Maria Picó-Pérez

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
    Equal contribution.)

  • Pedro Morgado

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
    Equal contribution.)

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19 might produce dramatic psychological effects on individuals’ lives. In this study, we aimed to explore the elements that may reduce the negative effects on mental health of the quarantine period imposed by most governments during this worldwide crisis. We conducted an online survey to evaluate demographic, lifestyle and mental health variables in a sample of 1280 Portuguese individuals (79.8% females) with an average age of 37 years. We observed that factors related to living conditions, maintaining work either online or in the workplace, frequency of exercise and absence of previous psychological or physic disorders are protective features of psychological well-being (anxiety, depression, stress and obsessive-compulsive symptoms). Finally, the individuals previously receiving psychotherapeutic support exhibited better psychological indicators if they did not interrupt the process as a consequence of the outbreak. Our results indicate that the practice of physical exercise, reduced consumption of COVID-19 information and the implementation of remote mental healthcare measures might prevent larger impacts on mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro Silva Moreira & Sónia Ferreira & Beatriz Couto & Mafalda Machado-Sousa & Marcos Fernández & Catarina Raposo-Lima & Nuno Sousa & Maria Picó-Pérez & Pedro Morgado, 2021. "Protective Elements of Mental Health Status during the COVID-19 Outbreak in the Portuguese Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-10, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1910-:d:500394
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrea Amerio & Andrea Brambilla & Alessandro Morganti & Andrea Aguglia & Davide Bianchi & Francesca Santi & Luigi Costantini & Anna Odone & Alessandra Costanza & Carlo Signorelli & Gianluca Serafini , 2020. "COVID-19 Lockdown: Housing Built Environment’s Effects on Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-10, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Francisco Sampaio & Susana Gaspar & César Fonseca & Manuel José Lopes & Teresa Paiva & Lara Guedes de Pinho, 2023. "Sleep Quality between Nurses and the General Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Portugal: What Are the Differences?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-10, April.
    2. Ana Daniela Costa & Afonso Fernandes & Sónia Ferreira & Beatriz Couto & Mafalda Machado-Sousa & Pedro Moreira & Pedro Morgado & Maria Picó-Pérez, 2022. "How Long Does Adaption Last for? An Update on the Psychological Impact of the Confinement in Portugal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-7, February.
    3. Víctor-Raúl López-Ruiz & José Luis Alfaro-Navarro & Nuria Huete-Alcocer & Domingo Nevado-Peña, 2022. "Psychological and Social Vulnerability in Spaniards’ Quality of Life in the Face of COVID-19: Age and Gender Results," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-16, August.
    4. Raquel Lara & Martha Fernández-Daza & Sara Zabarain-Cogollo & María Angustias Olivencia-Carrión & Manuel Jiménez-Torres & María Demelza Olivencia-Carrión & Adelaida Ogallar-Blanco & Débora Godoy-Izqui, 2021. "Active Coping and Anxiety Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spanish Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-17, August.
    5. Liliana Dumitrache & Elena Stănculescu & Mariana Nae & Daniela Dumbrăveanu & Gabriel Simion & Ana Maria Taloș & Alina Mareci, 2021. "Post-Lockdown Effects on Students’ Mental Health in Romania: Perceived Stress, Missing Daily Social Interactions, and Boredom Proneness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-17, August.
    6. Yulu Zhao & Xinye Xu & Gangwei Cai & Zhetao Hu & Yan Hong, 2022. "Promoting Strategies for Healthy Environments in University Halls of Residence under Regular Epidemic Prevention and Control: An Importance—Performance Analysis from Zhejiang, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-19, November.
    7. Gina Voss & Andreia F. Paiva & Alice Delerue Matos, 2021. "A Study of the Association between the Stringency of Covid-19 Government Measures and Depression in Older Adults across Europe and Israel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-12, July.
    8. Rita Sebastião & David Dias Neto & Vasco Costa, 2023. "Understanding Differential Stress and Mental Health Reactions to COVID-19-Related Events," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-13, May.
    9. Rachel Dale & Sanja Budimir & Thomas Probst & Peter Stippl & Christoph Pieh, 2021. "Mental Health during the COVID-19 Lockdown over the Christmas Period in Austria and the Effects of Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-15, April.
    10. Carla Barros & Ana Sacau-Fontenla, 2021. "New Insights on the Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence and Social Support on University Students’ Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: Gender Matters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-11, December.
    11. José Pais-Ribeiro & Alexandra Ferreira-Valente & Margarida Jarego & Elisabet Sánchez-Rodríguez & Jordi Miró, 2022. "COVID-19 Pandemic in Portugal: Psychosocial and Health-Related Factors Associated with Psychological Discomfort," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-13, March.
    12. Carlos Laranjeira & Maria Anjos Dixe & Olga Valentim & Zaida Charepe & Ana Querido, 2021. "Mental Health and Psychological Impact during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Survey of Portuguese Higher Education Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-15, December.
    13. Ambra Gentile & Marianna Alesi & Barbara Caci, 2022. "Protective and Educational Effects of Physical Activity Practice on Mental Health in Young Age during COVID-19 Lockdown," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.

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