Symptoms of distress, anxiety, and depression during COVID-19 confinement: the mediating role of rumination and sleep problems

Alacreu-Crespo, Adrián (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Martino, Pablo ; Aliño, Marta ; Duque, Aranzazu ; Pollak, Anita ; Almela, Mercedes ; Puig-Pérez, Sara ; Kozusznik, Malgorzata W. ; Cano-López, Irene ; Martínez-López, Paula ; García-Rubio, María J. ; Hernández-Saguar, Aida E. ; Ródenas, Francisco ; Rama-Galdón, Encarnación ; Kozusznik, Barbara ; Pulopulos, Matias M.

Resumen: Confinement due to the COVID-19 outbreak is a stressful situation that can lead to the development of mental disorders such as distress, depression and anxiety. In this study, we investigated rumination and sleep problems as possible mechanisms in the development of distress, anxiety and depression related to home-confinement due to the COVID-19 outbreak. One thousand and fifty-two people (women 78.6%; age range 18 to 82 years old), confined for more than seven days, were recruited during the COVID-19 outbreak between March 21 and April 10, 2020, filled in a survey about depression, anxiety, and distress symptoms (DASS-21); state (BSRI) and trait rumination (RRS); sleep problems (SCOPA); and other control questions (e.g., experience with COVID-19 and psychiatric medication intake). More days of confinement were related to greater use of rumination, which in turn was related to more depression, anxiety, and distress (single mediation). Furthermore, more days of confinement were related to greater use of rumination, leading to more sleep problems, which in turn were related to more depression, anxiety, and distress (double mediation). These results confirm that confinement is a risk for mental health and that sleep problems and, especially, rumination are crucial mechanisms in understanding the relationship between the number of days of confinement and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and distress. Our results suggest that in situations of confinement, individuals may benefit from interventions aimed at reducing rumination and sleep problems to prevent distress, depression and anxiety.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1007/s12144-025-08288-8

Año: 2025

Publicado en: Current Psychology (2025), [12 pp.]
ISSN: 1046-1310

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Person.Eval.Trat.Psicoló. (Dpto. Psicología y Sociología)