Repercussions of perceived threat to health in the Spanish population

• Published in: Global health promotion Vol. 30; no. 1; pp. 33 - 41
• Main Authors: Molero Jurado, María del Mar, Martos Martínez, África, Pérez-Fuentes, María del Carmen, Simón Márquez, María del Mar, Méndez Mateo, Inmaculada, Barragán Martín, Ana Belén, Gázquez Linares, José Jesús
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.03.2023; International Union for Health Promotion and Education
• Subjects: Adult; Anxiety; Anxiety - epidemiology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Disease transmission; Economic impact; Female; Health problems; Health promotion; Health risks; Humans; Indirect effects; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental Health; Pandemics; Population; Population studies; Post traumatic stress disorder; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Psychology; Public health; Questionnaires; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Sociodemographics; Surveys and Questionnaires; Threats; Women; Womens health; Spain; COVID-19; perceived threat; general population; mental health
• ISSN: 1757-9759; 1757-9767
• DOI: 10.1177/17579759221102192

Studies have shown that COVID-19 has had a worldwide psychological impact. Confinement due to COVID-19 has had important repercussions on the mental health of the general population, with high levels of stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder, and so forth. Similarly, important labor, economic and social changes taking place are affecting people’s well-being. The objective of this study was to analyze the repercussions of perceived threat from COVID-19 on the mental health of the population, and to evaluate the mediating role of perceived economic impact. The participants were 1160 adult residents of Spain aged 18 to 82, 69.9% of whom were women. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Questionnaire on Perception of Threat from COVID-19 and the General Health Questionnaire were administered. Perceived threat had a positive direct effect on all four health dimensions analyzed. Among the indirect effects, the perceived economic impact of COVID-19 mediated in the relationship between perceived threat and each of the health dimensions. The results of this study have demonstrated the need to promote joint action promoting public mental health to minimize the psychological repercussions of new outbreaks.