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

Pilz, Luísa K.; Couto Pereira, Natividade S.; Francisco, Ana Paula; Carissimi, Alicia; Constantino, Débora B.; Caus, Letícia B.; Abreu, Ana Carolina O.; Amando, Guilherme R.; Bonatto, Fernanda S.; Carvalho, Paula V.V.; Cipolla-Neto, José; Harb, Ana; Lazzarotto, Gabriela; Marafiga, Joseane Righes; Minuzzi, Luciano; Montagner, Francisco; Nishino, Fernanda A.; Oliveira, Melissa A.B.; dos Santos, Bruno G.T.; Steibel, Eduardo G.; Tavares, Patrice S.; Tonon, André C.; Xavier, Nicóli B.; Zanona, Querusche Klippel; Amaral, Fernanda G.; Calcagnotto, Maria Elisa; Frey, Benicio N.; Hidalgo, Maria Paz; Idiart, Marco; Russomano, Thais

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

AUTOR(ES)

Pilz, Luísa K.; Couto Pereira, Natividade S.; Francisco, Ana Paula; Carissimi, Alicia; Constantino, Débora B.; Caus, Letícia B.; Abreu, Ana Carolina O.; Amando, Guilherme R.; Bonatto, Fernanda S.; Carvalho, Paula V.V.; Cipolla-Neto, José; Harb, Ana; Lazzarotto, Gabriela; Marafiga, Joseane Righes; Minuzzi, Luciano; Montagner, Francisco; Nishino, Fernanda A.; Oliveira, Melissa A.B.; dos Santos, Bruno G.T.; Steibel, Eduardo G.; Tavares, Patrice S.; Tonon, André C.; Xavier, Nicóli B.; Zanona, Querusche Klippel; Amaral, Fernanda G.; Calcagnotto, Maria Elisa; Frey, Benicio N.; Hidalgo, Maria Paz; Idiart, Marco; Russomano, Thais

FONTE

Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry

DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2022

RESUMO

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.