Abstract

SALAZAR SERRANO, Olimpia; ARREOLA ROMERO, Fara Gisela  and  ENCINAS NORZAGARAY, Lilia. Psychological Manifestations during the First COVID-19 Cases in Users of the Crisis Intervention Call Center in Sonora. Región y sociedad [online]. 2021, vol.33, e1454.  Epub Nov 16, 2021. ISSN 2448-4849.  https://doi.org/10.22198/rys2021/33/1454.

Objective: to analyze the main psychological manifestations of the first cases treated by COVID-19 at the Crisis Intervention Call Center, in Sonora, Mexico. Methodology: a retrospective ex post facto study was conducted with a group of 123 users in whom the effect of the pandemic in different areas of life was evaluated: affective, somatic, interpersonal, cognitive, and behavior. Results: anxiety was the main reason for calling in 48% of the cases, which was associated with users’ age. A X 2 analysis indicated that anxiety was associated with diet changes, feelings of sadness, high concern about the disease and changes in breathing. Other reasons for calling were stress (23%), depression (19%), and grief (10%). Limitations: the number of users of the sample and the type of study reduce the possibility of generalizing the results. Value: the main effects on mental health due to the COVID-19 pandemic are analyzed and recommendations for their management are generated. Conclusions: the COVID-19 pandemic causes mental health problems such as anxiety in adults and depression in young people. Crisis intervention telephonic assistance is a viable alternative to address the psychological effect on the affected population that requires it.

Keywords : Crisis Intervention Call Center; crisis intervention; COVID-19; psychological effects; people from Sonora.