biostudies-literatureUnknown281Silverio-Murillo AInstituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey<h4>Rationale</h4>Stress process theory considers that actual and perceived isolation, caused by mobility restrictions from attempted containment of the COVID-19 pandemic, deteriorates mental health.<h4>Objective</h4>We examine the relationship between the COVID-19 lockdowns and mental health-related Google searches in 11 Latin American countries. We include the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. We also explore how changes in search patterns relate to income support policies and to COVID-19 death rates.<h4>Method</h4>Using Google Trends data and an event-study design, as well as a difference-in-differences analysis, we investigate the association between country specific stay-at-home orders and interSocial science & medicine (1982)114040https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9756426biostudies-literatureCOVID-19 blues: Lockdowns and mental health-related google searches in Latin America.PMC9756426Silverio-Murillo ARodriguez Tirado AHoehn-Velasco LBalmori de la Miyar JRfalseCOVID-19 blues: Lockdowns and mental health-related google searches in Latin America.<h4>Rationale</h4>Stress process theory considers that actual and perceived isolation, caused by mobility restrictions from attempted containment of the COVID-19 pandemic, deteriorates mental health.<h4>Objective</h4>We examine the relationship between the COVID-19 lockdowns and mental health-related Google searches in 11 Latin American countries. We include the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. We also explore how changes in search patterns relate to income support policies and to COVID-19 death rates.<h4>Method</h4>Using Google Trends data and an event-study design, as well as a difference-in-differences analysis, we investigate the association between country specific stay-at-home orders and inter2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Jul2026-05-13T16:04:27.551Z2025-04-06T23:01:32.344ZS-EPMC97564263414448110.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114040