Effective recommendations towards healthy routines to preserve mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Autor(a) principal: Pilz, Luísa Klaus
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Pereira, Natividade de Sá Couto, Francisco, Ana Paula, Carissimi, Alicia, Constantino, Débora Barroggi, Caus, Letícia Barbieri, Abreu, Ana Carolina Odebrecht Vergne de, Amando, Guilherme Rodriguez, Bonatto, Fernanda Sbaraini, Lazzarotto, Gabriela, Marafiga, Joseane Righes, Montagner, Francisco, Oliveira, Melissa Alves Braga de, Santos, Bruno Gomes Tavares dos, Steibel, Eduardo Giordani, Tavares, Patrice de Souza, Tonon, André Comiran, Xavier, Nicóli Bertuol, Zanona, Querusche Klippel, Calcagnotto, Maria Elisa, Hidalgo, Maria Paz Loayza, Idiart, Marco Aurelio Pires
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional da UFRGS
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10183/240403
• topic: COVID-19; Pandemias; Saúde mental; Mental health; Pandemic; Adherence; Recommendations

Objective: To assess the adherence to a set of evidence-based recommendations to support mental health during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its association with depressive and anxiety symptoms. Methods: A team of health workers and researchers prepared the recommendations, formatted into three volumes (1: COVID-19 prevention; 2: Healthy habits; 3: Biological clock and sleep). Participants were randomized to receive only Volume 1 (control), Volumes 1 and 2, Volumes 1 and 3, or all volumes. We used a convenience sample of Portuguese-speaking participants over age 18 years. An online survey consisting of sociodemographic and behavioral questionnaires and mental health instruments (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9] and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7]) was administered. At 14 and 28 days later, participants were invited to complete follow-up surveys, which also included questions regarding adherence to the recommendations. A total of 409 participants completed the study – mostly young adult women holding university degrees. Results: The set of recommendations contained in Volumes 2 and 3 was effective in protecting mental health, as suggested by significant associations of adherence with PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores (reflecting anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively). Conclusion: The recommendations developed in this study could be useful to prevent negative mental health effects in the context of the pandemic and beyond.