Factors providing mental wellbeing during self-isolation under study
Researchers from the Department of Basic, Developmental and Educational Psychology have begun a study to explore how the current situation of confinement can affect psychological wellbeing and discover any favourable factors. Also participating are researchers from other countries, which will help to detect tendencies and differences among populations.
30/03/2020
The study is coordinated at the UAB by lecturers Judit Castellà and Anna Muro, who in a first phase gathered data from 260 persons aged 18 to 76. Among the questions asked were each person's personal situation when self-isolating, their personality or temporary orientation, together with indicators that measure wellbeing, such as life satisfaction, level of depression or anxiety at the beginning of the coronavirus lockdown.
In a second phase, starting this week, in which the first 15 days of self-isolation have passed, researchers will gather new data on each of the people surveyed to verify whether changes have occurred in the scores registered in the first phase. The analysis of different variables will allow to determine which factors can protect the psychological wellbeing of individuals in these types of exceptional situations.
The study is being conducted simultaneously by researchers in Germany, Greece, Chile and the USA, which will permit the scientists to observe global tendencies and detect possible cultural differences.