Impact of Social and Personal Factors on Psychological Distress in the Spanish Population in the COVID-19 Crisis

• Published in: The British journal of social work 2023-03, Vol.53 (2), p.977-993
• Main Authors: Dorado Barbé, Ana Isabel, Pérez Viejo, Jesús Manuel, Brea Iglesias, Juan, López Pérez, Jorge
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Crises; Cross-sectional studies; Intersectionality; Medical diagnosis; Psychological distress; Resilience; Social issues; Solitary confinement; Young women
• ISSN: 0045-3102; 1468-263X
• DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcac167

Abstract The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis has had an unprecedented impact on Spanish society regarding health and social issues. The purpose of this study is to analyse the potential relationship that may exist between social and personal factors and the levels of psychological distress experienced by the Spanish population during lockdown. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using an ad hoc online questionnaire consisting of forty-three questions. The survey was administered to a sample of 3,436 people that were living in Spain during the second extension of the State of Alarm. A linear mixed model with random intersection has been used. Our findings demonstrate the intersectional vulnerability of young women and the impact different factors such as a COVID-19 diagnosis, experiencing symptoms compatible with COVID, an existing disability, a previous illness or solitary confinement may have on psychological distress levels. Conversely, higher resilience levels have shown a correlation with lower psychological distress levels. In this article, the authors provide empirical data about the Spanish population during lockdown on the following topics: • The impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis is not limited to health and disease-related aspects exclusively. • The pandemic has affected everybody. However, consequences in terms of psychological distress have been different depending on gender and age. • The results of this study point towards the importance of considering psychosocial factors in the development of social work interventions that enable citizens to mitigate the impact of social and health-related emergency situations and improve their coping capacities, improving resilience. • Social work professionals have been involved in social care since the beginning of the pandemic, but their practice has continued after lockdown ended, with all the consequences that this entails. • Social work has become visible as an essential profession during the pandemic and must be present, not only in the provision of services but also in the formulation of social policies. • The current situation presents a professional challenge to develop comprehensive interventions in order to deal with future social and health emergencies.