Levels of predictors of depression, anxiety, and suicidal crisis during COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina: The impacts of quarantine extensions on mental health state.

This research is aimed to: analyze differences in mental health state
(MHS) indicators (depression, state-anxiety, trait-anxiety, and suicidal risk), during three quarantine sub-periods (starting since the
first quarantine extension); assess multiple relationships between
each MHS indicator and potentially affecting factors. We used
a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample including
1100 participants. Data were collected online. Depression revealed
a worsening pattern as quarantine sub-periods went by. Anxiety
(both state and trait), just like suicidal risk, partially follow such
a pattern, with mean scores increasing from the first to
the second/third quarantine extensions, but then maintaining to
the fourth extension. Predictors having protective effects on almost
all the MHS indicators were: availability of current economic income
(except for state-anxiety, without significant effect) and absence of
suicide attempt history. Conversely, sex (woman), younger age, and
mental disorder history had an increasing risk effect on all the MHS
indicators. Overall, our findings indicate that quarantine have negative mental health impacts and that quarantine duration is
a relevant aspect to be taken into account when measuring such
an impact. More attention needs to be paid to vulnerable groups
such as the young, women, and people with history of mental
disorder.