Psycological effects of social confinement due to COVID-19 on the Honduran population

Abstract

This is a mixed-focus investigation that aims to analyze the psychological effects of social confinement due to COVID-19 on the Honduran population. In the quantitative part, three Likert-type scales were applied to 487 people (aged between 15 and 66 years) with an average age of 27 years, in which life satisfaction, depressive symptoms and happiness were investigated. For the collection of qualitative information, an interview guide was created that was applied to six people (three men and three women) with an average age of 32 years, to inquire about psychological distress, emotional well-being, family social ties and physical discomfort. It was found in the quantitative sample that women experience more depressive symptoms than men. People who have an elementary school level are in the moderate to severe range of depressive symptoms, and single, divorced, and widowed people have depressive symptoms at a moderate level. More than 50 % of the sample has experienced sleep problems. In the qualitative part, it was possible to identify some negative emotions
that are being experienced during the COVID-19 quarantine: fear, impotence, uncertainty and nostalgia, all this linked to a feeling of loss of control of one’s life. Among the main concerns are employment, food,
health and economy. However, the conditions of the quarantine have fostered dialogue and family unity.