Abstract

ESPARZA MEZA, Eva María et al. Experiences of Young Mexicans During COVID-19 Pandemic Confinement. Psicumex [online]. 2023, vol.13, e526.  Epub Aug 21, 2023. ISSN 2007-5936.  https://doi.org/10.36793/psicumex.v13i1.526.

In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested social isolation to avoid COVID-19 from spreading. Isolation among teenagers affected their lives and resulted in a mental health emergency. The purpose of the study was to analyze the experiences of Mexican adolescents and young adults during the confinement. Our research is a descriptive study with a non-probabilistic sample. Participants were 4,011 young adults, ages 14-25 (M=18.2, SD= 2.4) mainly women (67%) and high school and college students, who voluntarily answered an online 120 item questionnaire. They indicated favorable and non-favorable emotional experiences. Between 60 to 95% indicated doing creative activities, being kind to others, and expressing concern with the wellbeing of their loved ones. More than half reported feeling anxious, sad, irritable, frustrated and lonely. Sleeping and eating disorders were also common. This group should be the target of urgent mental health services.

Keywords : Youth; social distance; health crisis; psychopathology; online evaluation.

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