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Socio-Demographic Variables, Fear of COVID-19, Anxiety, and Depression: Prevalence, Relationships and Explanatory Model in the General Population of Seven Latin American Countries
Author(s)
Caycho-Rodríguez, Tomás
Private University of the North
Tomás, José M.
Universitat de València
Carbajal‐León, Carlos
Private University of the North
Cervigni, Mauricio
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Gallegos, Miguel
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Martino, Pablo
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Barés, Ignacio
National University of Rosario
Calandra, Manuel
National University of Rosario
Anacona, César Armando Rey
Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia
López-Calle, Claudio
University of Cuenca
Moreta‐Herrera, Rodrigo
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Chacón-Andrade, Edgardo René
Universidad Tecnológica de El Salvador
Lobos-Rivera, Marlon Elías
Universidad Tecnológica de El Salvador
del Carpio, Perla
Universidad de Guanajuato
Quintero, Yazmín
Universidad de Guanajuato
Robles, Erika
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México
Lombardo, Macerlo Panza
Universidad Nacional del Este
Gamarra Recalde, Olivia
Figares, Andrés Buschiazzo
White, Michael
Burgos Videla, Carmen
University of Atacama
Date Issued
5 de noviembre de 2021
Type
Article
Volume
12
Series/Report No.
Frontiers in Psychology
Start Page
695989
End Page
695989
ISSN
1664-1078
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has gravely impacted Latin America. A model was tested that evaluated the contribution of socio-demographic factors and fear of COVID-19 on anxiety and depression in samples of residents in seven Latin American countries (Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay, Colombia, and El Salvador). A total of 4,881 individuals, selected by convenience sampling, participated in the study. Moderate and severe levels of depressive symptoms and anxiety were identified, as well as a moderate average level of fear of COVID-19. In addition, it was observed that about a quarter of the participants presented symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and a major depressive episode. Fear of COVID-19 significantly and positively predicted anxiety and depressive symptoms, whereas the effects of socio-demographic variables are generally low [χ 2 (287) = 5936.96, p < 0.001; RMSEA = 0.064 [0.062, 0.065]; CFI = 0.947; and SRMR = 0.050]. This suggests the need for the implementation of preventive actions in the general population of these countries, with the aim of reducing the prevalence of depressive, anxious and fearful symptoms related to COVID-19.