Meta-worry, anxiety and depression in the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This research analyzed associations between meta-concerns and anxious and depressive symptoms at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. 2,042 individuals participated, aged 18-78 years. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire and the Meta-Worry Questionnaire were answered online. Four Logistic Regression models were used to estimate the effect of independent variables on anxiety and depression symptoms. The variables being younger, not having a steady income, feeling ill, and exhibiting a high level of meta-worries increased the chances of showing symptoms. It was concluded that providing care in the face of psychological suffering is fundamental in combating COVID-19, since factors of susceptibility to the development of mental disorders were detected at the beginning of the pandemic in Brazil.