Estrés percibido según tipo de aislamiento durante la COVID-19 en Suramérica, 2020. Perceived stress by type of isolation during COVID-19 in South America, 2020

Abstract

The research raised one of the mental health implications during COVID-19, specifically in terms of stress, therefore the objective was to compare perceived stress according to type of isolation during COVID-19 in South America, 2020. Method: quantitative approach, comparative type, non-experimental, cross-sectional, multicenter design. The sample consisted of people over 18 years of age who are in social isolation due to COVID-19 in South America, who wanted to participate in the study and correctly completed the form (n = 16,811). Data collection was carried out through a Google Form and the Perceived Stress Scale (EPP-10) was used. Results: 87% female, the age was between 18 and 79 years, 30.76 ± 11.82 years. The type of isolation indicated was mostly voluntary (50.5%). In general, in the EPP-10, a mean and standard deviation of 20.61 ± 6.105 were determined, with the highest percentages being 44.0% in the middle level and 46.1% in the middle-high level. It was obtained that there are statistically significant differences (p <0.001) in the PPE-10 according to type of isolation, finding that the subjects with mandatory isolation showed a higher mean and standard deviation (21.25 ± 5.945), followed by restricted (20, 79 ± 6.051) and finally voluntary (20.04 ± 6.191). Conclusions: the perceived stress for the subjects and study period was found in a higher percentage in the medium and medium-high levels, in addition the type of isolation, number of people with whom they live and knowing a family member with the disease influenced the level of stress perceived.