Evaluation of a telepsychological intervention guide during COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from a pilot study with mexican population

Abstract

The Virtual Psychological Care Guide (VPCG_COVID-19) has been designed as a tool for orientation and urgent attention to psychological conditions and symptoms during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Objective. To assess the psychological impact on the levels of depression, anxiety and stress associated with the implementation of a telepsychology intervention based on the VPCG_COVID-19. A single group repeated measures design was used to assess depression, anxiety and stress before (T0 = pretest), after (T1 = posttest) and 14 days after its implementation (T2 = retest). A sample of 117 adults participated (mean age = 37.69; SD = 12.07; 62.4 % male) and received telepsychology care and were channeled according to VPCG_COVID 19 criteria: Level 2 psychoeducation and orientation (n = 46), level 3 = psychological first aid (n = 24) and level 4 = brief cognitive behavioral therapy-brief (n = 47). Significant differences were found in depression, anxiety and stress, for the three levels of attention (pre, post and retest measurements).

Keywords

• COVID-19
• telepsychology
• stress
• cognitive behavioral therapy
• psychoeducation
• psychological first aid