Change in Perceived Stress and Health Behaviors of Emerging Adults in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented disruptions, restrictions, and concerns about physical and mental health. Emerging adulthood, including the first year of college, is associated with declines in healthy eating and physical activity, as well as possible heightened distress. The impact of COVID-19 may exacerbate these concerns. Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine changes in health behaviors and perceived stress in emerging adults over the first year of college and to determine whether prepandemic health behaviors were protective for mental health and stress during the initial changes after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods First-year college students (N = 234, 58.6% female) completed three surveys during their first year of school, the third being after the onset of COVID-19 and during a stay-at-home order. At Time 3, we also assessed symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results Using linear mixed modeling, sedentary time increased and physical activity decreased over time, but 20%–35% of students reported improvements in these behaviors. Dietary changes appeared mixed, with some improvements noted early during COVID-19. Perceived stress increased over time. Multiple regression indicated that of the health behaviors examined for protective effects on mental health and stress during the pandemic, only diet quality emerged as a significant predictor. Conclusions Although notable declines in some health habits were observed over time, including following COVID-19 disruptions, some students reported improved health behaviors. Efforts should be directed at identifying and intervening with students most at risk for poor functioning.

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PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG AT-RISK OLDER ADULTS: THE IMPACT FROM PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igy023.2738 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. 742-743

Author(s):

M Ory ◽

S Towne ◽

Y Du ◽

S Lee ◽

M Smith

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

At Risk ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

The Impact

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Do Depressive Symptoms Shape Blacks’ Perceptions of Stress Over Time?

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa022 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (5) ◽

Author(s):

DeAnnah R Byrd ◽

Roland J Thorpe ◽

Keith E Whitfield

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Ordinary Least Squares ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Stressful Events ◽

Age Group ◽

The Impact ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background and Objectives Previous studies have linked stress to multiple negative mental health outcomes, including depression. This established stress–depression association is typically examined in one direction and cross-sectionally. This study examined the bidirectional relationships between depressive symptoms and changes in perceived stress over time in Blacks. Research Design and Methods The present study uses a community-dwelling sample of 450 Black adults, aged 51–96 years old, who participated in the Baltimore Study of Black Aging—Patterns of Cognitive Aging. Perceived stress—measured by the Perceived Stress Scale—and depressive symptoms—measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale—were both assessed at baseline and follow-up 33 months later. Ordinary least squares regression was used to examine 2 bidirectional longitudinal relationships between (1) stress–depression and (2) depression–stress, and whether these associations are modified by age. Results Initial analyses testing the typical stress–depression relationship showed an effect in the expected direction, that is stress leading to more depressive symptoms over time, adjusting for model covariates, but the effect was not statistically significant (b = 0.014, p = .642). After accounting for baseline perceived stress level, age, sex, education, and chronic health conditions, depressive symptoms were positively associated with follow-up stress (b = 0.210, p < .000). The depression–stress association further varied by age group such that the impact of baseline depression on changes in perceived stress was greatest in Blacks in their 60s versus those in their 50s (b = 0.267, p = .001), controlling for model covariates. Discussion and Implications Contrary to previous work, the results suggest that an individual’s mental health shapes his/her perception of stressful events and this relationship varies by age group. While the typical finding (stress impacting depression) was not significant, the findings reported here highlight the importance of considering the possible bidirectional nature of the relationships between psychosocial measures of stress and mental health in later life among Blacks.

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Depression, Anxiety and Stress during COVID-19: Associations with Changes in Physical Activity, Sleep, Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Australian Adults

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17114065 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 4065 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

Robert Stanton ◽

Quyen G. To ◽

Saman Khalesi ◽

Susan L. Williams ◽

Stephanie J. Alley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Alcohol Intake ◽

Online Survey ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Positive Health ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

The Impact

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has enforced dramatic changes to daily living including economic and health impacts. Evidence for the impact of these changes on our physical and mental health and health behaviors is limited. We examined the associations between psychological distress and changes in selected health behaviors since the onset of COVID-19 in Australia. An online survey was distributed in April 2020 and included measures of depression, anxiety, stress, physical activity, sleep, alcohol intake and cigarette smoking. The survey was completed by 1491 adults (mean age 50.5 ± 14.9 years, 67% female). Negative change was reported for physical activity (48.9%), sleep (40.7%), alcohol (26.6%) and smoking (6.9%) since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Significantly higher scores in one or more psychological distress states were found for females, and those not in a relationship, in the lowest income category, aged 18–45 years, or with a chronic illness. Negative changes in physical activity, sleep, smoking and alcohol intake were associated with higher depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. Health-promotion strategies directed at adopting or maintaining positive health-related behaviors should be utilized to address increases in psychological distress during the pandemic. Ongoing evaluation of the impact of lifestyle changes associated with the pandemic is needed.

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The Impact of Step Recommendations on Body Composition and Physical Activity Patterns in College Freshman Women: A Randomized Trial

Journal of Obesity ◽

10.1155/2019/4036825 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bruce W. Bailey ◽

Ciera L. Bartholomew ◽

Caleb Summerhays ◽

Landon Deru ◽

Sharla Compton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Composition ◽

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Future Research ◽

First Year ◽

Dietary Interventions ◽

First Year Of College ◽

The Impact

Purpose. Transitioning from high school to college generally results in reduced physical activity and weight gain at a rate that is higher than the general population. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of three progressively higher step recommendations over 24 weeks on changes in body weight and body composition. Methods. Ninety-two freshmen college women wore a multifunction pedometer for 24 weeks after being randomly assigned to a daily step level: 10,000, 12,500, or 15,000. Pedometer data were downloaded every two weeks and participants were counseled on meeting their step recommendation. Body weight and body composition were assessed at baseline and 24 weeks. Body composition was assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Results. On average, women took 10,786 ± 1501, 12,650 ± 2001, and 13,762 ± 2098 steps per day for the 10,000-, 12,500-, and 15,000-step groups, respectively (F = 15.48, P<0.0001). Participants gained 1.4 ± 2.6, 1.8 ± 2.1, and 1.4 ± 2.1 kg for the 10,000-, 12,500-, and 15,000-step groups, respectively (F = 37.74, P<0.0001). Weight gain was not significantly different between groups (F = 0.18, P=0.8385). There was also no difference in fat weight gain (F = 0.41, P=0.7954). Discussion. A step recommendation beyond 10,000 does not prevent weight or fat gain over the first year of college. Future research should focus on either intensity of physical activity or the addition of dietary interventions to prevent weight gain during the first year of college.

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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on US College Students’ Physical Activity and Mental Health

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2020-0325 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 272-278 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Oliver W.A. Wilson ◽

Kelsey E. Holland ◽

Lucas D. Elliott ◽

Michele Duffey ◽

Melissa Bopp

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

College Students ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Significant Decline ◽

Spring Semester ◽

The Impact

Background: Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both physical activity (PA) and mental health is important to demonstrate the need for interventions. This study examined the apparent impact of the pandemic on college students’ PA, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. Methods: From 2015 through 2020, data were collected at the beginning and end of the spring semester at a large Northeastern US university via an online survey assessing student demographics, PA, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. Mixed ANOVA examined differences in PA and mental health changes over the spring semester between “normal” and COVID-19 circumstances. Two-way ANOVA examined the interaction between circumstance and changes in PA in relation to changes in mental health. Results: Participants (n = 1019) were predominately women and non-Hispanic white. There was a significant decline in PA and an increase in perceived stress under COVID-19, but not normal, circumstances and a significant increase in depressive symptoms under COVID-19, but not normal, circumstances among women. Conclusions: A significant decline in PA and mental health among college students occurred under COVID-19 circumstances, and PA did not appear to protect against deterioration in mental health. Proactive and innovative policies, programs, and practices to promote student health and well-being must be explored immediately.

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The role of communication and coping in emerging adults’ serial arguments with parents

Journal of Argumentation in Context ◽

10.1075/jaic.4.1.02gaz ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 21-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Catherine M. Gaze ◽

Rachel M. Reznik ◽

Courtney Waite Miller ◽

Michael E. Roloff

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Health ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Single Episode ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

And Coping ◽

Over Time

When individuals cannot resolve a disagreement in a single episode, the argument is likely to reoccur over time resulting in a serial argument. Prior research on serial arguing has shown that engaging in hostile communication during episodes and taking a resigned stance after episodes is detrimental to one’s physical health. This study investigates the mechanisms by which hostile communication and taking a resigned stance lead to negative outcomes in a sample of emerging adults. Mutual hostility is related to physical and mental health symptoms and this relationship is mediated by the degree to which the participants feel hyperaroused. Taking a resigned stance toward a serial argument with one’s parent is related to health symptoms and this relationship is mediated by the participants’ rumination after argumentative episodes.

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Depressive Symptoms, Perceived Stress, Self-Compassion and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Emerging Adults: An Examination of the Between and Within-Person Associations Over Time

Emerging Adulthood ◽

10.1177/21676968211029768 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 216769682110297

Author(s):

Holly Boyne ◽

Chloe A. Hamza

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Self Injury ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Mental Health Challenges ◽

Over Time ◽

Nonsuicidal Self Injury

Many emerging adults report experiencing mental health challenges (e.g., depressive symptoms and perceived stress) during the transition to university. These mental health challenges often coincide with increased engagement in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI; e.g., self-cutting or burning without lethal intent), but longitudinal research exploring the nature of the associations among depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and NSSI are lacking. In the present study, it was examined whether depressive symptoms and perceived stress predicted increased risk for NSSI over time (or the reverse), and whether these effects were mediated or moderated by self-compassion. The sample consisted of 1,125 university students ( Mage = 17.96 years, 74% female), who completed an online survey three times in first year university. A random intercept cross-lagged panel model revealed that higher depressive symptoms, perceived stress, NSSI, and lower self-compassion often co-occurred, but only NSSI predicted increased perceived stress over time. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

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School Parks as a Community Health Resource: Use of Joint-Use Parks by Children before and during COVID-19 Pandemic

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18179237 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (17) ◽

pp. 9237

Author(s):

Kevin Lanza ◽

Casey Durand ◽

Melody Alcazar ◽

Sierra Ehlers ◽

Kai Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Resource Use ◽

Social Distance ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Negative Binomial Regression ◽

Health Resource ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Binomial Regression ◽

The Impact

Parks are settings for physical activity that can support the physical and mental health of children during the COVID-19 pandemic. We determined the impact of the pandemic on the use of joint-use parks outside of school hours by children in Austin, TX, United States. In autumn of 2019 and autumn of 2020 (i.e., before and during the COVID-19 pandemic), we used an adapted version of the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities to observe whether children aged 1–12 participated in physical activity (i.e., sedentary, light and moderate, vigorous) at three parks located at schools serving mostly economically disadvantaged Latinx families. In 2020, we also observed whether children maintained social distance and wore face coverings. Results of negative binomial regression modeling revealed the pandemic was associated with a 46% [95% CI: 20–63%] and 62% [95% CI: 39–76%] decrease in the number of girls and boys at parks, respectively, and a 42% [95% CI: 16–59%] and 60% [95% CI: 36–75%] decrease in the number of girls and boys engaging in physical activity, respectively (p < 0.01). In total, 60.6% of girls and 73.6% of boys were not social distancing, and 91.8% of the time no children wore masks. Interventions should be considered to safely reintroduce children to parks for health benefits during pandemics.

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A Cross-Cultural Exploratory Study of Health Behaviors and Wellbeing During COVID-19

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2020.608216 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Montse C. Ruiz ◽

Tracey J. Devonport ◽

Chao-Hwa (Josephine) Chen-Wilson ◽

Wendy Nicholls ◽

Jonathan Y. Cagas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

United Kingdom ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Physical Health ◽

Latin American ◽

Online Survey ◽

Emotional Problems ◽

Conservation Of Resources ◽

Physical And Mental Health

This study explored the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on perceived health behaviors; physical activity, sleep, and diet behaviors, alongside associations with wellbeing. Participants were 1,140 individuals residing in the United Kingdom (n = 230), South Korea (n = 204), Finland (n = 171), Philippines (n = 132), Latin America (n = 124), Spain (n = 112), North America (n = 87), and Italy (n = 80). They completed an online survey reporting possible changes in the targeted behaviors as well as perceived changes in their physical and mental health. Multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA) on the final sample (n = 1,131) revealed significant mean differences regarding perceived physical and mental health “over the last week,” as well as changes in health behaviors during the pandemic by levels of physical activity and country of residence. Follow up analyses indicated that individuals with highest decrease in physical activity reported significantly lower physical and mental health, while those with highest increase in physical activity reported significantly higher increase in sleep and lower weight gain. United Kingdom participants reported lowest levels of physical health and highest increase in weight while Latin American participants reported being most affected by emotional problems. Finnish participants reported significantly higher ratings for physical health. The physical activity by country interaction was significant for wellbeing. MANCOVA also revealed significant differences across physical activity levels and four established age categories. Participants in the oldest category reported being significantly least affected by personal and emotional problems; youngest participants reported significantly more sleep. The age by physical activity interaction was significant for eating. Discussed in light of Hobfoll (1998) conservation of resources theory, findings endorse the policy of advocating physical activity as a means of generating and maintaining resources combative of stress and protective of health.

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Natural Environments, Psychosocial Health, and Health Behaviors during COVID-19 – A Scoping Review.

10.31234/osf.io/a9unf ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Carina Nigg ◽

Evi Petersen ◽

Tadhg MacIntyre

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Psychosocial Health ◽

Stressful Events ◽

Natural Environments ◽

Research Gaps ◽

The Impact

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to major restrictions globally, affecting people’s psychosocial health and their health behaviors. Thus, the purpose of this scoping review was to summarize the available research regarding the nature-health-association in the COVID-19 context. Keywords related to natural environments and COVID-19 were combined to conduct a systematic online search in six major databases. Eligibility criteria were a) published since 2020 with data collected in the COVID-19 context b) peer-reviewed, c) original empirical data collected on human participants, d) investigated the association between natural environments and psychosocial health or health behavior, and e) English, German, or Scandinavian language. Out of 8,568 articles being obtained, we identified 82 relevant articles representing 80 unique studies. Most studies focused on adults in the general population and were predominantly conducted in the USA and Europe. Overall, the findings tentatively indicate that nature mitigates the impact of COVID-19 on psychological health and physical activity. Through thematic analysis of the extracted data, three primary themes were identified: 1) type of nature assessed, 2) psychosocial health and health behaviors investigated, and 3) heterogeneity in the nature-health relationship. Research gaps in the COVID-19 context were identified regarding I) nature characteristics that promote psychosocial health and health behaviors, II) investigations of digital and virtual nature, III) psychological constructs relating to mental health promotion, IV) health behaviors other than physical activity, V) underlying mechanisms regarding heterogeneity in the nature-health relationship based on human, nature, and geographic characteristics, and VI) research focusing on vulnerable groups. Overall, natural environments demonstrate considerable potential in buffering the impact of stressful events on a population level on mental health. However, future research is warranted to fill the mentioned research gaps and to examine the long-term effects of nature exposure during COVID-19.

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