Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Migrants in Chile

Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Immigrants in Santiago, Chile (STRING-COVID)

The mental health of a representative sample of immigrants residing in Santiago, Chile (STRING cohort) was assessed nine months prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (T0). Evidence suggests that social isolation affects mental health by increasing symptoms of anxiety and depression. One of the main components of the current COVID-19 pandemic is the social isolation imposed on the population. This study seeks to explore the short (T1) and long-term (T2) effects of the pandemic on the psychological wellbeing of the cohort.

Specific aims are to

1. Describe the variations in the levels of mental health problems (i.e. symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, sleep difficulties) and wellbeing of immigrants during the first (T1) and second follow-up (T2)
2. Calculate the short (T1) and long-term (T2) effects of social isolation on the levels of mental health problems of the immigrant population, and
3. Identify risk / protective factors associated with a short (T1) and long-term (T2) increase in mental health problems

Participants were interviewed at baseline (T0) 8 months before the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey will be applied in two follow-up moments during the pandemic:

1. At 9 months (also 1 month after lockdown measures imposed) (T1)
2. At 18 months (also 10 months after lockdown measures imposed) (T2)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Country of birth other than Chile
• Time since arrival to Chile: 3 months (at baseline)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to understand Spanish