Resilience for health promotion in the Covid-19 crisis in Spain

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 (hereinafter, COVID-19) has generated an unprecedented impact on Spanish society at a health and social level. The objective of this study is to analyze to what extent health, social and psychological factors are related to resilience during the pandemic in the Spanish population. A quantitative and cross-sectional study was carried out and an ad hoc questionnaire of 43 closed questions was applied in online format, to a sample of 3,436 people residing in Spain during the second extension of the State of Alarm. A mixed linear model with random intersection was fitted, estimated under a Bayesian approach. The results show positive associations between resilience and presenting symptoms of COVID-19 (mainly in men), as well as having suffered deaths in their surroundings. Likewise, negative relationships are obtained between resilience and a previously diagnosed disease, experiencing emotional distress and being unemployed as a result of the current pandemic, the latter effect being relevant mainly among men. The gender factor did not influence resilience, except in the cases indicated. The study allows us to conclude that identifying health, social and psychological risk factors that affect population vulnerability should be considered in planning policies to face the current crisis.