scholarly journals Personality Traits and Changes in Health Behaviors and Depressive Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Analysis from Pre-pandemic to Onset and End of the Initial Emergency Conditions in Finland

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7732
Author(s):  
Tiia Kekäläinen ◽  
Enni-Maria Hietavala ◽  
Matti Hakamäki ◽  
Sarianna Sipilä ◽  
Eija K. Laakkonen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Lifestyle Changes

The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures targeting the transmission of the virus impacted everyday life in 2020. This study investigated pre- to in-pandemic changes in health behaviors and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of personality traits in these changes in Finland. Data from a larger population-based cohort study of 51–59-year-old Finnish women were used (n = 358). Self-reported questionnaires gathered information about depressive symptoms, eating behavior, physical activity, and alcohol consumption before the pandemic time, at the onset, and at the end of the COVID-19 emergency conditions. Information about personality traits (extraversion and neuroticism) and sociodemographic factors was available from the pre-pandemic baseline. Women reported more depressive symptoms and unhealthier eating habits at the end of the emergency conditions compared to the pre-pandemic time. An increase in depressive symptoms was associated with changing to unhealthier eating habits. Higher extraversion was associated with a perceived decrease in alcohol consumption and with changing to healthier eating habits. Women with higher neuroticism reported changing to either healthier or unhealthier eating habits. In general, some women reported healthier lifestyle changes while other women reported the opposite. Personality traits help to understand these individual differences in adaptation to the pandemic situation.

scholarly journals Personality traits predict dietary habits in middle-to-older adults

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara J Weston ◽  
Grant Edmonds ◽  
Patrick Hill
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Emotional Stability ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Self Rated Health

Personality traits are consistently associated with health behaviors, but little research has examined the role of personality on eating habits among middle-to-older adults. The current study (n = 665) examined the associations between traits and dietary habits and whether healthy eating predicted health at age 60, with the Hawaii Personality and Health Cohort. Eating healthy foods was associated with higher agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and openness, and predicted better self-rated health and lower BMI. Eating unhealthy foods was associated with lower agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and openness, and predicted lower self-rated health. Results were not moderated by SES.

scholarly journals The Association between Lifestyle Changes and Psychological Distress during COVID-19 Lockdown: The Moderating Role of COVID-Related Stressors

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9695
Author(s):  
Michal Alon-Tirosh ◽  
Dorit Hadar-Shoval ◽  
Kfir Asraf ◽  
Lubna Tannous-Haddad ◽  
Orna Tzischinsky
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
High Psychological Distress ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Moderating Role

The COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying circumstances (lockdown and social distancing) have been found to cause lifestyle habit changes. While negative changes (adopting risky behaviors) are known to be associated with high psychological distress, the effect of positive changes (adopting health-enhancing behaviors) has yet to be investigated. This study examined the association between the nature of changes and psychological distress, in addition to the moderating effect of “COVID-related stressors”. Online questionnaires, completed by 1969 participants, assessed the following: lifestyle changes due to COVID-19 with regard to cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, sleep quality, and eating habits; COVID-related stressors; Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Positive and negative changes were associated with higher psychological distress compared to no lifestyle change, and there was a moderating effect of COVID-related stressors in the association between COVID-related lifestyle changes and distress. In conclusion, to reduce psychological distress in overwhelming circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, people should carefully consider whether to make changes in their lifestyle habits before doing so, even if these changes are perceived as positive and health-enhancing. Furthermore, efforts should be focused on reducing the perception of stress from COVID-19 by working on personal and mental perceptions of the situation.

scholarly journals Relationship between health behaviors and self-reported diseases by public employees

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 477-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janaina Maria Setto ◽  
Palmira de Fátima Bonolo ◽  
Sylvia do Carmo Castro Franceschini
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Introduction: Life habits such as physical activity, leisure, eating habits, stress, smoking, and alcohol consumption can directly affect individuals' health. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between health behaviors and diseases self-reported by employees of a federal public university in southeastern Brazil. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 815 employees, of whom 347 were teachers and 468 were technical-administrative staff, aged between 20 and 65 years old. Data from this study were collected from a secondary database, from the Health Questionnaire (self-reported health conditions by teachers and technical-administrative employees), and from the institution's Vice Dean of Community Affairs. Among the variables assessed, the relationship between eating habits, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and self-reported illnesses (chronic diseases and infectious and parasitic diseases diagnosed by a doctor within the last 12 months) was analyzed. Results: The mean prevalence of these diseases among teachers and technical-administrative staff was 3.1 and 2.9, respectively. This study showed a statistically significant association between unhealthy diet and cerebrovascular accidents; between irregular performance of physical activity/sedentary lifestyle and endocrine/nutritional/metabolic and digestive diseases; between overweight and cardiovascular diseases, endocrine/nutritional/metabolic diseases, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension; and between smoking and musculoskeletal diseases. Conclusion: We suggest the adoption of preventative measures and the control of risk behaviors among these employees.

scholarly journals Patterns of Change in Dietary Habits and Physical Activity during Lockdown in Spain Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 300
Author(s):  
Carmen Pérez-Rodrigo ◽  
Marta Gianzo Citores ◽  
Gotzone Hervás Bárbara ◽  
Fátima Ruiz-Litago ◽  
Luis Casis Sáenz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Dietary Change ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Supplement Use ◽  
Active Cluster

Background: Lockdown due to COVID-19 influenced food habits and lifestyles with potential negative health impact. This study aims to identify patterns of change in eating habits and physical activity during COVID-19 lockdown in Spain and to identify associations with sociodemographic factors and usual habits. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1155 adults recruited online to answer a 10-section questionnaire. The protocol assessed usual diet by means of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, usual physical activity (PA) and supplement use, dietary changes, sedentary time, PA, exposure to sunlight, sleep quality, and smoking during confinement. Patterns of dietary change were identified by factor analysis. Factor scores were included in cluster analysis together with change in PA. Results: Six patterns of dietary change were identified that together with PA changes during lockdown defined three clusters of lifestyle change: a cluster less active, a more active cluster, and a third cluster as active as usual. People who were usually less active were more likely to be classified in the cluster that increased physical activity in confinement. Scores of the Healthy Mediterranean-Style dietary pattern were higher in this group. Conclusions: Different patterns of change in lifestyles in confinement suggest the need to tailor support and advice to different population groups.

Stress and Health Outcomes: Do Meaningful Work and Physical Activity Help?

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne H. Lease ◽  
Christina L. Ingram ◽  
Emily L. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Meaningful Work ◽  
Health Risk Behaviors ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Stress And Health

The negative effects of stress and burnout on mental and physical health are widely known, as are the beneficial effects of physical activity. While the organizational literature emphasizes the value of meaningful work for employers and employees alike, the stress-buffering role of meaningful work in combination with physical activity is not known. The present study examined the (a) mediating role of burnout in the relationships between perceived stress and health risk behaviors (i.e., poor diet, tobacco use, and alcohol use) and depressive symptoms and (b) moderating roles of meaningful work and physical activity on the relationships between perceived stress and health outcomes. Participants were 229 employed adults. Perceived stress predicted physical health risk behaviors and depressive symptoms, but the direct and indirect negative effects of stress were stronger when meaningful work scores were lower. Findings offer support for the development of interventions that include enhancing work meaningfulness.

Depressive symptoms and adolescent eating and health behaviors: a multifaceted view in a population-based sample

2004 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 865-875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayne A Fulkerson ◽  
Nancy E Sherwood ◽  
Cheryl L Perry ◽  
Dianne Neumark-Sztainer ◽  
Mary Story
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Population Based

scholarly journals 660 Chronotype Associations with Insomnia, Depressive Symptoms, and Changes in Sleep and Health Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A258-A258
Author(s):  
Megan Petrov ◽  
Matthew Buman ◽  
Dana Epstein ◽  
Shawn Youngstedt ◽  
Nicole Hoffmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Time In Bed ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Introduction Evening chronotype (i.e., night owl preference) is associated with worse insomnia and depressive symptoms, and poorer health behaviors. The aim of this study was to examine the association between chronotype and these symptoms and health behaviors during COVID-19 pandemic quarantine. Methods An online survey, distributed internationally via social media from 5/21/2020–7/1/2020, asked adults to report sociodemographic/economic information, changes in sleep (midpoint, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, time-in-bed), and health behaviors (i.e., physical activity, sedentary screen time, and outdoor light exposure patterns) from prior to during the pandemic, chronotype preference (definitely morning [DM], rather more morning [RM], rather more evening [RE], or definitely evening [DE]), and complete the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D-10). Multinomial logistic regression and ANCOVA models, adjusting for age and sex, examined associations of chronotype with COVID-19 pandemic related impacts on sleep, depressive symptoms, and health behaviors. Results A subsample of 579 participants (M age: 39y, range: 18–80; 73.6% female), currently under quarantine and neither pregnant nor performing shift work, represented each chronotype evenly (~25%). Participants delayed their sleep midpoint by 72.0min (SD=111.5) during the pandemic. DE chronotypes had a greater delay than morning types (M±SD DE: 91.0±9.0 vs. RM: 55.9±9.2 & DM: 66.1±9.3; p=0.046) with no significant change in other sleep patterns relative to other chronotypes. However, DE and RE chronotypes had greater odds of reporting that their new sleep/wake schedule was still not consistent with their “body clock” preference relative to morning types (Χ2[15]=54.8, p<0.001), reported greater ISI (F[3,503]=5.3, p=.001) and CES-D-10 scores (F[3,492]=7.9, p<.001), and had greater odds for increased or consistently moderate-to-high sedentary screen time (Χ2[12]=22.7, p=0.03) and decreased physical activity (Χ2[12]=22.5, p=0.03) than DM chronotype. There was no significant difference in change in outdoor light exposure by chronotype (Χ2[12]=12.1, p=0.43). Conclusion In an international online sample of adults under COVID-19 pandemic quarantine, evening chronotypes, despite taking the opportunity to delay sleep to match biological clock preference, reported their sleep/wake schedules were still inconsistent with personal preference, and reported greater insomnia and depressive symptoms, and odds of engaging in poorer health behaviors than morning chronotypes. Support (if any):

Feasibility of Using a Mobile App for Stress in Middle-Aged Men and Women. (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Breanne Michelle Laird ◽  
Megan Puzia ◽  
Linda Larkey ◽  
Diane Ehlers ◽  
Jennifer Huberty
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
General Coping ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

BACKGROUND Middle-aged adults (40 to 65 years) report higher stress than most age groups. There is a need to test the feasibility of using a meditation app to reduce stress and improve stress-related outcomes in both middle-aged men and women. OBJECTIVE Therefore, the purpose of this study was to: (1) determine the feasibility (i.e., acceptability and demand) of a consumer-based meditation app (i.e., Calm) to reduce stress in middle-aged adults reporting elevated stress; and (2) explore the preliminary effects of Calm on perceived stress, psychological outcomes (i.e., anxiety, depressive symptoms, mindfulness, general coping), health behaviors (i.e., physical activity, eating habits), and perceptions of COVID-19. METHODS The current study is a double-blind randomized controlled feasibility study testing a brief app-based meditation (i.e., Calm) intervention in middle-aged adults (N=83) with elevated stress levels (i.e., score greater than or equal to 15 on the Perceived Stress Scale) and limited or no previous experience with meditation. Participants were randomized to an app-based meditation intervention (Calm) or app-based education control group (POD). Participants completed self-report assessments at baseline and post-intervention (Week 4). Feasibility was measured as acceptability and demand using Bowen’s framework. Feasibility and COVID-19 perceptions data were examined via descriptive statistics. Preliminary effects were examined using repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS Participants were satisfied with the meditation intervention (96.4%; 27/28) and found it appropriate/useful (92.9%; 26/28). Most reported that they were likely to continue using Calm in the future (64.3%; 18/28). More participants in the Calm group reported satisfaction, appropriateness/usefulness, and intent to continue use compared to the control. Calm participants (n=33) averaged 20.0±31.1 minutes of meditation on the days they meditated and 103±109.1 minutes of meditation per week during the study. On average there was a 70.8% adherence rate to the prescribed meditation, compared to 62.2% in POD. Recruitment of men into the study was 34.9% (29/83). Of those randomized to Calm, 55.2% (15/29) were men. Retention among men was 93.3% (14/15) compared to 60% (12/20) for women. No significant within or between group differences in stress or psychological outcomes related to stress were observed nor were significant differences in health behaviors related to stress. CONCLUSIONS A four-week, app-based mindfulness meditation intervention (i.e., Calm) may be feasible in middle-aged adults. Calm participants expressed satisfaction with the intervention and felt it was appropriate and useful. However, significant improvements in perceived stress and psychological outcomes (i.e., anxiety, depressive symptoms, mindfulness and general coping) or health behaviors related to stress (i.e., physical activity, eating habits) were not observed. The majority of participants reported that COVID-19 negatively impacted their stress, mental health, and physical health. More research is needed for improving stress and stress related outcomes in middle-aged men and women using mindfulness meditation apps. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04272138; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04272138.

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