Physical Distancing and Mental Well-Being in Youth Population of Portugal and Brazil during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The COVID-19 pandemic may affect youth’s physical and mental well-being, partially because of the countries’ rules to contain the virus from spreading. However, there is still uncertainty about the impact of physical distancing on youth’s mental health. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of feeling agitated, anxious, down, sad, or low mood (FNF) due to physical distance measures and verify which factors are associated with young Portuguese and Brazilian people. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We used cross-sectional data from the instrument “COVID-19 Barometer: Social Opinion” in Portugal (March 2020 and September 2021) and from “COVID-19 Social Thermometer” in Brazil (August 2020 to April 2021); these surveys included data regarding the health and socioeconomic impact on the population. The health and sociodemographic variables of the two countries were summarized as absolute and relative frequencies. A multivariable logistic regression model was fit by country to estimate the relation between FNF and selected variables of interest. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Approximately 36% of the sample studied reported anxiety, agitation, sadness, or low mood almost every day in Portugal and 52% in Brazil due to physical distancing. In Portugal, having more than two comorbidities represented a greater chance of experiencing FNF every day or almost every day (odds ratio [OR] = 1.51 [CI: 1.22–1.87]) than those without comorbidities. In contrast, having a university education level represented a protector factor (OR = 0.76 [CI: 0.67–0.88]). In Brazil, being unemployed increased the chance of FNF compared to students (OR = 11.2). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Physical distancing measures have impacted the mental well-being of the young population in Portugal and Brazil. The countries must make a quick effort to attend to and protect young people’s well-being and mental health in the changing context of the current pandemic.

Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis of Some Protection Aspects of 10 Latin American and Caribbean Countries

“…This study also obtains results consistent with other studies, where the closure of schools (not necessarily synonymous with protection), physical and mental well-being and government decisions are key to the safety of children and young people [30][31][32][33]. We must not also forget two key points in LAC; the higher poverty has induced a faster spread of the virus [34], and the current scenario where the omicron variant has triggered infections in all age groups almost without control; fortunately, deaths have not skyrocketed to the same extent.…”

COVID-19-related Adolescent Mortality and Morbidity in nineteen European countries

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Disentangling perceptions of social support and social capital as social determinants of mental health: COVID-19 personal networks of immigrants and non-migrants in Portugal

“…This was higher among women, immigrants older than 45 years, with lower levels of education and lower incomes (Gama et al, 2022). The confinement and physical distance due to COVID-19 increased the mental health problems of both Portuguese (36%) and Brazilian (52%) citizens, despite few studies focusing on the topic during this critical period (Gil et al, 2022). Furthermore, understanding the impact of mental health care on the Portuguese population is still limited, and data are scarce, especially those exploring the social determinants of health, such as their social networks and social capital.…”