Risk factors for the population’s mental health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for mental health in the population in times of COVID-19 through the analysis of levels of socio-cognitive mindfulness and perception of stress in individuals. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional observational study with a quantitative approach, carried out through online data collection using the Perceived Stress Scale and the Langer Mindfulness Scale in a sample of 955 individuals from different regions of Brazil. RESULTS: Women, younger people and individuals with low socioeconomic conditions had higher levels of perceived stress; on the other hand, older men and individuals with high socioeconomic status had higher levels of mindfulness. CONCLUSION: Socio-cognitive mindfulness was not a protective factor for perceived stress in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.