*2.3. Variables*

Regarding socio-demographic variables, sex, age, marital status, level of education, employment status, number of people living with, living with a child or adolescent, and living with a disabled person were considered. Likewise, with regard to the specific situation related to COVID-19, the presence of symptoms, self-perceived level of health, and history of contact and/or exposure were also identified. Considering these variables as independent variables, psychological distress was set as a dependent variable.

It is worth mentioning that whether the items related to COVID-19 symptoms were present in the last 14 days was asked about, and the response options were listed as those stipulated by the World Health Organization. These included fever of 38 ◦C or higher, cough, headache, myalgia, dizziness, diarrhoea, sore throat, coryza, chills, and shortness of breath.

Following Wang et al. [17], physical and mental health status were evaluated by dichotomous ("Yes/No") questions, as follows: having a chronic illness, having a disability, being on medication, having been hospitalised in the last 14 days, and having attended a health service in the last 14 days.

Other variables were contact history and health status, using the Ilder and Benyamini approach, with small variants, in the current pandemic situation [17–21].
