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Sociodemographic Predictors of Anxiety and Fear of Covid-19 In the Prison Population in Spain
Francisco Javier González-Riera;
Regina Allande-Cussó;
Luis El-Khoury-Moreno;
Murat Yıldırım;
Krzysztof Goniewicz;
Azahara Ruger-Navarrete;
Beatriz Mérida-Yáñez;
Julio Torrejón-Martínez;
Javier Fagundo-Rivera;
Juan Gomez-Salgado
ABSTRACT
Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic generated a notable emotional impact on the general population, yet its effect on individuals deprived of liberty has been far less explored.
Objective:
The present study analysed levels of anxiety and fear related to COVID-19 in the Spanish prison population and identified sociodemographic predictors associated with greater emotional distress.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 711 inmates in Spanish prisons. The AMICO_Inmates scale was used to assess anxiety and fear related to COVID-19. Descriptive analyses, bivariate comparisons, and categorical regression (CATREG) were performed to examine the relationship between sociodemographic variables and the total scale score.
Results:
The sample presented a mean score of 5.58 (SD = 2.55), indicating moderate–high levels of anxiety and fear. Women showed significantly higher scores than men (6.57 vs. 5.42; p < 0.01). No significant differences were found for marital status, having children, receipt of a pension, degree of sentence, or sharing a cell. The CATREG model explained 17.4% of the variance (R² = 0.174), identifying female sex (β = 0.198; p < 0.001) and sharing a cell (β = 0.097; p < 0.01) as significant predictors.
Conclusions:
Individuals deprived of liberty experience substantial levels of anxiety and fear related to COVID-19, especially women and those sharing a cell. These findings underscore the need for targeted emotional-support strategies in prison settings, promoting sex equity and adapting interventions to living conditions. The study contributes evidence to strengthen health and psychosocial preparedness for future emergencies in structurally vulnerable contexts.
Citation
Please cite as:
González-Riera FJ, Allande-Cussó R, El-Khoury-Moreno L, Yıldırım M, Goniewicz K, Ruger-Navarrete A, Mérida-Yáñez B, Torrejón-Martínez J, Fagundo-Rivera J, Gomez-Salgado J
Sociodemographic and Health-Related Predictors of Anxiety and Fear of COVID-19 in the Prison Population: Cross-Sectional Study