Abstract Introduction The existence of a general factor related to psychiatric symptoms is supported by studies using a variety of methods in both clinical and non-clinical samples. Objectives This study aims to evaluate the replicability of the internal structure of the Brief Symptom Inventory in a large Brazilian sample. Methods Participants were 6,427 Brazilian subjects (81% female). Mean age was 42.1 years (standard deviation [SD] = 13.6, Min = 13, Max = 80). All participants completed the online version of the Brief Symptom Inventory. This scale presents a general score (GSI) and nine specific clusters of symptoms (depression, anxiety, phobic anxiety, interpersonal sensibility, psychoticism, paranoid ideation, obsessive-compulsive behavior, hostility, and somatization symptoms). Results Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to assess the factor structure of the BSI. The results showed that the best-fitting model was a bifactor solution and the general factor was the main dimension explaining most of the reliable variability in the data. Conclusion The findings suggest that the BSI’s internal structure was replicated in a non-clinical sample and that the general factor is the most reliable score. However, it is necessary to better understand the meaning of the general factor scores in a non-clinical sample to increase interpretability of scores.

Resumo A crise global gerada pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2, responsável pela covid-19, pode ser interpretada de diversas formas, incluindo comportamento epidêmico, ondas de impacto sobre os sistemas de saúde e consequências de medidas direta ou indiretamente ligadas ao enfrentamento da pandemia. Assim, as respostas a esses desafios devem ser integrais, contemplando os diversos níveis de prevenção. Como uma possível resposta, o tratamento precoce não deve ser visto isoladamente, mas num contexto de cuidado integral. Este trabalho apresenta formas de analisar a presente crise e os elementos éticos pertinentes ao tratamento precoce.

Abstract The global crisis caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for COVID-19, can be interpreted in different ways, including epidemic behavior, waves of impact on health systems and consequences of measures directly or indirectly linked to fighting the pandemic. Thus, the responses to these challenges must be comprehensive, covering the different levels of prevention. As a possible answer, early treatment should not be seen in isolation, but in a context of comprehensive care. This article presents ways to analyze the current crisis and the ethical elements relevant to early treatment.

Resumen La crisis mundial generada por el virus del SARS-CoV-2, responsable de la covid-19, se puede interpretar de varias maneras, incluido el comportamiento epidémico, las olas de impacto en los sistemas de salud y las consecuencias de las medidas directas o indirectamente relacionadas con el enfrentamiento de la pandemia. Por lo tanto, las respuestas a estos desafíos deben ser integrales, considerando los diversos niveles de prevención. Como posible respuesta, el tratamiento temprano no debe ser visto aisladamente, sino en un contexto de atención integral. Este trabajo presenta formas de analizar la crisis actual y los elementos éticos pertinentes al tratamiento precoz.