*3.1. Psychological Distress*

Table 1 shows the mean scores and standard deviations of the answers to the General Health Questionnaire questions given by the subjects.

The mean score for the total of the 12 points scale was 3.97 (SD = 3.43). Establishing a cut-off point of 3 or more points, 57.2% of the 2120 study participants presented psychological distress. Item 5, "Have you felt constantly overwhelmed and stressed?" (M = 2.68; SD = 0.90), and item 7, "Have you been able to enjoy your normal daily activities?" (M = 2.62; SD = 0.89), were the ones with the highest scores. In opposition, item 11, "Have you thought that you are a worthless person?" (M = 1.44; SD = 0.78), and item 10, "Have you lost confidence in yourself?" (M = 1.69; SD = 0.85), presented lower scores.

**Table 1.** General Health Questionnaire (*n* = 2120).


*3.2. Sociodemographic Variables and Psychological Distress*

With regard to the sociodemographic variables (Table 2), statistically significant differences were found between both groups as regards sex (χ<sup>2</sup> = 163.137, *p* < 0.001, V = 0.277). No statistically significant differences were observed in the presence of psychological distress with age (χ<sup>2</sup> = 1.394, *p* = 0.163, V = 0.063).

**Table 2.** Association between sociodemographic variables and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic (*n* = 2120).


Of the total number of subjects who presented psychological distress (1212 subjects, 57% of the sample), 79% were women, 54.8% were married or cohabiting, 75.8% had completed university studies (university studies: graduation, master's, and doctorate), and 69.2% worked outside the home. Regarding the conditions of the usual dwelling, 59.2% lived in a flat, and 50.2% lived with children under 16 years of age.

Statistically significant differences were also found regarding the variables marital status (χ<sup>2</sup> = 13.353, *p* = 0.001, V = 0.079), employment status (χ<sup>2</sup> = 8.328, *p* = 0.016, V = 0.063), and type of dwelling (χ<sup>2</sup> = 5.011, *p* = 0.025, V = 0.063).

The percentage of high education (graduation + master's and PhD) status among those with psychological distress was 75.8%. In addition, as regards participants living with children or youngsters under the age of 16 (50.2%), a low percentage of psychological distress was described.
