Depression, anxiety and stress according to belonging to a religion during pandemic in Maipú, Chile, during 2022

Depresión, ansiedad y estrés según pertenencia a una religión durante la pandemia en Maipú, Chile, durante el 2022

Abstract

Objective: To compare the levels of depression, stress and anxiety according to Adventist affiliation during the pandemic in residents of the commune of Maipú, 2022. Methods: Quantitative, analytical, correlational and cross-sectional study, applied to a sample of 176 inhabitants of the commune of Maipú, in the Metropolitan Region of Chile, using the modified Graffar scale to measure socioeconomic level and the Depression, Stress and Anxiety Scale (DASS-21) to measure levels of symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety in the population. The Mann Whitney U test was used to compare indicators of depression, anxiety and stress in both groups. The study was approved by an ethical committee. Results: The Adventist population considering the sample obtained better indicators, with lower symptomatology level scores in depression and anxiety with values (p=0.002) and (p=0.00) respectively showing significant differences. As for stress, the levels were lower in the Adventist population but without significance with value (p=0.086). Conclusions: There are protective factors in the practicing community that need to be identified and studied as they can benefit the community at large. These elements may be associated with the lifestyle practiced by Adventists as part of their tradition.