Effect of confinement on the emotional state in a sample of Panamanian inhabitants

Abstract

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has led countries to take economic, political, and social measures to ensure that the number of infected people can be treated by health services, causing various physical and mental problems in the population. The purpose of this research is to determine the emotional state of a sample of Panamanian inhabitants during the first months of compulsory confinement and to evaluate the factorial structure of the EVEA test (mood rating scale) in the Panamanian context. The EVEA test and an ad hoc questionnaire were sent by e-mail, for two groups (group 1, n = 199, 41% men; group 2, n = 123, 41% men). Nonparametric contrast tests, bivariate correlation analysis, and hierarchical regression were applied. According to the applied test, the predominant emotion was joy, followed by anxiety. A three-factor factor structure and a Cronbach's α greater than 0.8 were obtained for all subscales. A negative and significant correlation was found between anxiety, sadness, and anger, and physical activity (PA); with relaxation/meditation (RM) the same occurs, but it was also positively and significantly correlated with joy. After controlling for some variables, PA predicts anxiety and sadness. After controlling for some variables, RM predicts joy, anxiety, anger, and depression. Although the predominant emotion is joy, high levels were found for the anxiety, sadness, and anger subscale, which is attributed to the situation of the population during confinement. PA and RM have been shown to have a protective effect on emotional state, so programs that implement these activities during confinement could be suggested.