Psychological effects of confinement due to COVID-19 pandemic in a sample in addiction treatment in Spain

Abstract

Objectives: Describe, compare and identify the relationship among perceived stress, coping strategies and emo-tional regulation, the impact of confinement, psychological distress, hopelessness, and suicidality. Method: Online administration of the PSS, COPE, ERQ, IES-R, SCL-90-R, BHS, and Okasha Suicide Scale questionnaires to 35 adults in addiction treatment, 24 men (68.67%) and 11 women (31.43%), aged 24 to 61 years (mean = 42.8; SD = 10.1) selec-ted by non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Results: There are high scores in the strategies aimed at emotional regulation, average scores in passive coping strategies and hopelessness, and low scores in the other variables. The-re are differences by gender, educational level, group of cohabitants, and type of treatment resource. The first mul-tivariate model includes a positive association of perceived stress with anxiety and treatment in the detoxification unit, and a negative association with phobic anxiety. The second model includes positive associations of the impact of the event with planning, abandonment of efforts, personal growth and hopelessness, and negative relationship with positive reinterpretation. Conclusions: Although confinement has increased addictive behaviors worldwide,receiving psychotherapeutic support is a protective factor in mental health.