Suicidal ideation, anxiety, social capital, and sleep among colombians in the fir st month of COVID-19-related physical isolation

Abstract

Objective: To explore suicidal ideation, anxiety, social capital, and quality of sleep among men and women, according to age, in Colombia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: An exploratory online study with 484 subjects was conducted. Four scales were used: Okasha’s Suicidality Scale (Okasha-IS), Zung’s Self-Rating Anxiety Scale-15 (SAS-15), Personal Social Capital Scale (PSCS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The instruments were registered on the internet and administered through WhatsApp, Facebook, and e-mail. Results: A mild to severe suicidal ideation rate was found among 40% of participants; a mild to severe anxiety rate among 97% of participants; a n d regular personal social capital among 81% of participants; furthermore, 23% of the participants reported poor sleep quality. Age was inversely associated with IS, SAS, and PSQI values (p < 0.01) and directly associated with PSCS (p < 0.05). Sex was positively correlated with SAS-15 (p < 0.01) and PQSI (p < 0.05). The analysis of variance showed a significant difference in IS and PQSI values (p < 0.01) in men, whereas a significant difference is identified in IS, SAS-15, and PQSI values (p < 0.01) in different age groups of women. Conclusions: Women are more prone to anxiety and suicidal ideation associated with physical isolation and low social capital, which can trigger major psychological problems. Young people under 20 years of age a r e at greater risk of suffering from profound psychopathologies, triggering suicide. Based on the results, we recommend the use of the term physical distancing rather than social isolation considering that social relationships are maintained at levels different from physical contact.