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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)
Tomás Caycho‐Rodríguez
José M. Tomás
Lindsey W. Vilca
Carlos Carbajal‐León
Mauricio Cervigni
Miguel Gallegos
Pablo Martino
Ignacio Barés
Manuel Calandra
César Armando Rey Anacona
Claudio López-Calle
Rodrigo Moreta‐Herrera
Edgardo René Chacón-Andrade
Marlon Elías Lobos-Rivera
Perla del Carpio
Yazmín Alejandra Quintero Hernández
Érika Robles Estrada
Macerlo Panza Lombardo
Olivia Gamarra Recalde
Andrés Buschiazzo Figares
Michaël White
Carmen Burgos Videla
Date Issued
5 de noviembre de 2021
Type
Article
Volume
12
Start Page
695989
End Page
695989
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.
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