Psychosocial and Behavioral Variables during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison between a Sampleof Mexicans and Colombians
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24054/rps.v1i1.3315Keywords:
COVID-19, stress, self-efficacy, emotional regulation, family functioning, protective behaviorsAbstract
COVID-19 had repercussions on multiple dimensions of human dynamics, representing a threat to both physical and mental health. Despite the measures taken, the spread of the virus and the number of deaths associated with this diagnosis increased exponentially, partly due to a lack of knowledge. It was also assumed that the presence of positive psychological resources could simultaneously contribute to better management of the negative emotions related to confinement and the sustained execution of protective practices. This research aimed to identify potential differences in levels of knowledge and practice of protective measures, aswell as protective psychological variables (perceived stress control, self-efficacy, emotional regulation, and family functioning) in a convenience sample of Mexicans and Colombians. Differences were found between the two groups in terms of self-efficacy and emotional suppression, while no differences were observed in other measured psychosocial components. Associations were identified regarding beliefs about the most likely affected population, communication with designated channels, seeking care at clinics, the use of home remedies, handwashing with sanitizer gel, and universal protective measures such as water intake, physical exercise, and daily stress management. The need to continue strengthening not only the dissemination of evidence-based information for infection prevention but also the development of protective behaviors in both countries and the enhancement of preventive psychosocial variables in anticipation of possible future pandemics is highlighted.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Minerva Santillán Rivera, Willian Sierra Barón, Diana Marcela Torres, Cesar Gómez
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