Associação entre solidão e nível de atividade física em pacientes com transtornos psiquiátricos: uma análise quantitativa

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of mental disorders in the Brazilian population is a major public health concern. Among the factors influencing the prognosis of these patients are the social context, social support, and individual health actions. Loneliness is reported in the literature as a factor that leads to withdrawal from social interactions and psychological distress, potentially causing detrimental effects on functionality. Conversely, physical activity has been shown to be a protective and well-being-promoting factor with impacts on mental health. This study aims to investigate loneliness and its relationship with the level of physical activity practice, as well as other sociodemographic and economic factors, in patients with severe mental disorders treated at a Psychosocial Care Center (CAPS II). This is an observational, cross-sectional, prospective, descriptive, and quantitative study. Data collection was performed through digital questionnaires on the REDCap application, using the IPAQ instrument for physical activity, the UCLA scale for loneliness measurement, and socioeconomic index questionnaires. In-person interviews were conducted from May 2025 to May 2026. A convenience sample was obtained, totaling 33 patients. Data analysis was performed using the R software, considering a statistical significance level of 5%. A statistically significant association was observed between the type of psychiatric disorder and the self-perception of loneliness. Multiple correspondence analysis revealed two distinct patterns. The first pattern showed that patients with exclusively mood disorders were more likely to self-perceive as non-lonely. The second pattern showed that those with other types of disorders, such as anxiety or psychotic disorders, demonstrated a closer proximity to loneliness. Other factors, such as sex, age, education level, employment status, and income, were not significantly associated with the outcome. Therefore, the most relevant factor in the outcome of loneliness was the presence of psychiatric disorders, essentially anxiety and psychotic disorders, in agreement with the literature, and this should be a relevant topic in the treatment of patients with mental disorders.