Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in a Spanish sample with anxiety disorder: sex differences

Abstract

Background. The early psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown is greater in people with mental disorders. This study explored the differences in the psychological impact on people with an anxiety disorder by sex in Spain.

Methods. Cross-sectional, descriptive, comparative study of the data provided by participants in an anonymous online survey between March 19 and 26, 2020. The ad hoc questionnaire included sociodemographic, clinical, and variable data related to COVID-19, along with questions about coping strategies, and the Spanish versions of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Impact of Event Scale (IES). Descriptive bivariate analyses and logistic regression models were used.

Results. Of the 21,207 participants, 1617 (7.6%) people with self-reported anxiety disorder were analyzed [1347 (83.3%) females; 270 (16.7%) males]. The psychological impact was greater on women than men with statistically significant differences in each subscale of the DASS-21 and subscales of the IES. After adjusting for potential confounding variables, it was observed that being a woman was associated with higher scores on the intrusive and avoidant thoughts subscales.

Conclusions. Our study suggests that women with an anxiety disorder are a group vulnerable to a greater negative impact on mental health and, especially, symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder.