*3.6. Psychological Distress and Preventive Measures*

The preventive measure with a higher mean score was "wearing a mask regardless of the presence of symptoms" (M = 4.77; SD = 0.62), followed by "washing hands with soap and water" (M = 4.75; SD = 0.52). A statistically significant association has been found between having PD and the use of the following preventive measures: "washing hands after coughing, touching the nose, or sneezing"; "avoiding sharing utensils", both with *p* < 0.001; "leaving at least one and a half metres away", *p* = 0.002; "wash hands with soap and water", *p* = 0.003; and "washing hands with soap and water", *p* = 0.025 (Table 5).

**Table 5.** Contrast between preventive measures and psychological distress during the pandemic.


Note: Likert-type response scale from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
