Study on regular habits during confinement periods and their influence on anxiety (Estudio sobre los hábitos regulares en periodos de confinamiento y su influencia en la ansiedad)

Iglesias-Martínez, Enrique Roces-García Jorge Bermúdez-Rey M. Teresa

The pandemic caused by Covid-19 has forced governments to implement restrictions on mobility and social interaction and, in some cases, even confine populations to their homes, affecting their daily habits. The sample of the present study comprised 3,500 female and 1,186 male participants, whose average age was 37.9 (M = 37.90, SD = 12.46 years). A State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire and questions specifically designed for this study were applied in order to assess participants’ daily habits regarding exercise during the lockdown periods. This was an ex-post facto, cross-sectional and descriptive study. Although the results showed no evidence of the severity of the anxiety symptoms, they did indicate that anxiety was present. Confinement was seen to be a significant factor in anxiety levels, and it was seen that females were more vulnerable than males. It also became apparent that exercise and cultural activities reduce anxiety. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] RESUMEN La pandemia causada por el COVID-19 ha obligado a imponer normas restrictivas en cuanto a la movilidad, el contacto social y en ocasiones realizar un confinamiento de la población en sus casas, afectando los hábitos diarios de la población. Los participantes fueron 4,686 personas (3,500 mujeres y 1,186 hombres) con una edad promedio de 37.90 años (M = 37.90 años, DT = 12.46 años). Se aplicaron el Cuestionario de Ansiedad Estado/Rasgo STAI y preguntas diseñadas específicamente para este estudio que evaluaron los hábitos regulares de actividad durante periodos de cuarentena. Se trata de un estudio ex post facto, transversal y descriptivo. Aunque los resultados no evidencian la gravedad de los síntomas ansiosos, sí indican la presencia de este cuadro, constituyéndose el confinamiento como un factor ansiógeno importante, siendo las mujeres más vulnerables que los hombres. Se comprueba que el fomento de las actividades deportivas y culturales reducen la ansiedad. (Spanish) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Estudios de Psicologia is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)