Abstract
A correlational and comparative study was carried out on Psychological Well-Being, elements of mental health, and Patterns of Perceived Attachment in Childhood as a possible protection variable in the COVID-19 pandemic. The total N was 316, of which 161 were Mexican students and 155 Americans. The instruments used were the Psychological Well-being Scale, the Depression Anxiety Stress Inventory, and the Inventory of Perceived Attachment Patterns During Childhood. The results show higher indicators of mental health impairment in young Mexicans compared to Americans: depression 76% vs 20.24%. anxiety 93% vs 38% and stress 68% vs 12.5%. In addition, average positive correlations were identified b etween P sychological Well-Being and s ecure a ttachment a nd n egative correlations with the other forms of attachment. In the Americans, a low positive association was found between secure attachment and self-acceptance, positive relationships (the highest correlated), and the scale’s total. Similarly, disorganized, anxious, and avoidant attachment patterns are negatively correlated with self-acceptance, positive relationships, mastery of the environment, life purposes, and the total. Therefore, we consider that Patterns of Perceived Attachment in Childhood are associated with the elements of mental health such as: anxiety, depression, and stress, and with the levels of psychological well-being experienced during the pandemic. Finally, suggestions of other mediating and protective variables for future research are offered. Key words: COVID-19, psychological well-being, perceived attachment patterns, university students.