The Impact of Lockdown in Emotion and Behavior using Time Series: Distress, Depression and Anxious Arousal

Abstract

The COVID-19 lockdown that struck Spain during March 2020 ended up with a period of 60 days of lockdown, a natural context where to study the effects of isolation or its feeling. It is known that long periods of isolation end up causing generalized anxiety, a feeling of incomprehension, discriminatory acts, and economic problems(Mandavilli, 2003; Risse, 1992; Twu et al., 2003). Therefore, it seems important to study in depth the consequences that may stem from it. The main objective of this dissertation is to analyze the evolution and impact on mood when under lockdown and confined. The MASQE30 Questionnaire (González & Ibáñez, 2018) is included in the daily diary registration, where other factors that may be influencing a person’s mood were also registered (such as activities carried out and other socio-demographic variables), with a total sample of 123 participants who completed the daily diary during a period of 20 to 45 days. Initially the main model we focused on was a three-dimensional structure of mood (Clark & Watson, 1991), understanding mood as a second order factor influenced by a person's distress, depression and anxiety. Findings suggest that a two-dimensional model is more suitable when compared to a three-dimensional model, similar to the model proposed by Watson & Tellegen (1985). Furthermore, if at any point in the future another lockdown occurs, it is of vital importance to take into consideration the first week of this isolation period, since this is what will influence a major or minor fluctuation of a person's mood. Statistically significant differences have been found for every factor that should be considered when talking about public health matters.