Authors: Daniela B. Scheffer, Sarah C. A. Lima, Samarah P. Freitas, Leandro R. Vestena, Carla L. B. Vestena.
Anxiety is one of COVID-19 pandemic greatest impact on people’s mental health, especially considering its association with social distancing. It’s one of many psychological issues currently wrongly labeled and understood by the public. Although the use of coping technics to manage anxiety has increased, how they relate to selfperception during social isolation in Brazil is still unsettled. This work aimed to investigate the accuracy the self- perception of anxiety levels and which coping strategies were most commonly used during the pandemic social isolation period. Data collection occurred through an online questionnaire with Brazilian residents over 18 years old. Those who did not fulfil social distancing or were currently living elsewhere were excluded. The survey measured anxiety symptoms through the Beck Anxiety Inventory, evaluated subjects’ self-perception of anxiety and the coping strategies used. Analysis was composed by quantitative contrast of the instrument, qualitative analysis of other questions, and comparison between both. It was predominantly found low anxiety in the sample and high correlation of 34, 3% between anxiety levels and self-perceived anxiety. Significant discrepancy in the self-perception ability was observed when comparing individuals with low levels of anxiety (37%) to those with moderate (95%) and high levels (98%). Anxiety and certain coping strategies were correlated, and it was identified significant relationship between the type of techniques used and anxiety self-perception. Lastly, the impact of subjectivity and self-awareness on the choice and coping strategies’ scope was evaluated, and discussed the “anxiety” term usage and its influence on self-perception.
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