Ansiedade, vulnerabilidades e recursos de enfrentamento em mulheres em tempos de pandemia de COVID-19

Abstract

The emergence of COVID-19 had a great impact on the population, leaving it more vulnerable. The measures adopted to contain the pandemic affected, especially, women, both in socioeconomic aspects and in mental health, thus, this study aimed to assess anxiety levels in women, perception of support and social support, in times of pandemic COVID-19. This is a quantitative, descriptive, correlational study, conducted in the period between September 2020 and January 2021, through an online platform, whose data were collected from the standardized instruments: Generalized Anxiety, Sense of Coherence and sociodemographic questionnaire. The sample was composed of 1,651 women, with a mean age of 36 years. The prevalence of anxiety among participants was 51.4%, and it was found that the higher the score of anxiety symptoms, the lower the score of sense of coherence and perceived social support. Variables such as age, socioeconomic conditions, social isolation, having a child at home, and political orientation were associated with the manifestation of anxiety symptoms. The sense of coherence acted as a predictor of anxiety, highlighting its importance as a protective factor. Given this context, we emphasize the need to expand actions and strategies aimed at promoting women's mental health, since the effects of the pandemic will last even after it ends.