Aumento do risco de sintomas associados aos transtornos ansiosos e depressivos em figuras parentais durante o ensino remoto emergencial na pandemia da COVID-19

Abstract

Social confinement measures due to public health policies during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic brought profound changes to people’s daily routines and to the family dynamic. School closings and the implementation of emergency remote teaching (ERT) contributed to mental health deterioration by intensifying stress and increasing symptoms associated with anxiety and depressive disorders, particularly in parents. In this context, we assessed whether parental responsibilities to ERT during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic are a risk factor for symptoms associated with anxiety and depressive disorders. For this, we conducted an online crosssectional survey using a convenience sample of parents in charge of children undergoing ERT that reside in the city of Maceió, state of Alagoas (Brazil). The participants completed a threesection questionnaire, which included demographic information, knowledge and time spent focusing on COVID-19, and a self-report of symptoms associated with anxiety [General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)], and depression [Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)]. Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to explore the role of ERT as a potential predictor of anxiety and depression, controlling for potential confounders. Our results show that in our population sample 23.41% and 21.1% participants had symptoms of anxiety and depression, respectively. Furthermore, even after controlling for potential confounders, the responsibility of assisting in ERT was identified as a risk factor for anxiety (OR = 2.54; CI = 1.13,5.68; p= 0.023) and depression (OR = 3,45; IC = 1.36,8.70; p= 0.009), even though, protective factors were present. These protective factors included an income higher than 3 minimum wages in 67.53% of the participants and a college/university degree in 94.25%. Moreover, receiving emergency financial aid [BRL 600.00 (USD 105.07), corresponding to 57.41% of the minimum Brazilian wage] was identified as a protective factor against developing depressive symptoms (OR = 0.34; IC = 0.17,0.70; p= 0.004). Our results show that the parents’ mental health is affected by changes in the household brought on by COVID-19 and highlights the importance of emergency social policies and psychological assistance in this group.