The Effect of Pre-Quarantine Physical Activity on Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms during the COVID-19 Lockdown in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The outbreak of COVID-19 and the changes to normal societal function and in particular quarantine has increased mental distress in many nations. A survey of 22,112 COVID-19-negative quarantined participants in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (age: 18–40 years, 42.6%; 40–60 years, 53.3%; over 60 years, 4.1%; mass, 78.9 ± 14.8 kg; stature, 167 ± 8.7 cm) were assessed for depressive symptoms using the online Beck Depression Inventory self-report questionnaire. The relationship between pre-quarantine physical activity and mental health and wellbeing during lockdown has been investigated. A significant difference in body mass index (BMI) between active and inactive participants (p = 0.03) was observed; with females also recording a 3% higher BMI than males. All participants showed a decrease in mental health compared to pre-quarantine. However, pre-quarantine inactivity was found to result in a greater negative impact on mental health and well-being than those active pre-quarantine (p < 0.01). The sedentary population had a 4-fold greater incidence of mild-depression than the active population. This suggests that activity level plays an important role in shielding people from anxiety and stress, whilst it builds mental strength in individuals that can be called upon in trying and difficult situations. Nevertheless, pre-quarantine activity levels did not lead to any significant change in levels of extreme depression in the sample population.

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The Effects of Physical Activity on Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Systematic Review

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1026835/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Priscila Marconcin ◽

André O. Werneck ◽

Miguel Peralta ◽

Andreas Ihle ◽

Élvio Gouveia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Well Being ◽

Activity Level ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Abstract Introduction: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic affected countries worldwide and has changed peoples’ lives. A reduction in physical activity and an increase in mental health problems were observed. Thus, this systematic review aims to examine the association between physical activity and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: In January 2021, a search was applied to PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria included cross-sectional, prospective, longitudinal study design and studies published in English; outcomes included physical activity and mental health (e.g., depressive symptoms, anxiety, positive and negative effects, well-being). Results: Nineteen studies were included in this review. Overall, the studies suggested that higher physical activity is associated with higher well-being, quality of life as well as lower depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress, independently of age. There was no consensus for the optimal physical activity level for mitigating negative mental symptoms, neither for the frequency nor for the type of physical activity. Women were more vulnerable to mental health changes and men were more susceptive to physical activity changes. Conclusion: Physical activity seems to be a good and effective choice to mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. Public health policies should alert for alternatives to increment physical activity during the stay-at-home orders in many countries.

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The Relationship Between Physical Activity, Health, and Well-Being

European Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1027/2512-8442/a000070 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 59-70

Author(s):

Kristine Klussman ◽

Julia Langer ◽

Austin Lee Nichols

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Meaning In Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Community Based ◽

Activity Intensity ◽

Different Types ◽

The Relationship ◽

Health And Well Being

Abstract. Background: Most people are comfortable asserting the beneficial effects of physical exercise on mental health and well-being. However, little research has examined how different types of physical activity affect these outcomes. Aims: The current study sought to provide a comprehensive understanding of the differential relationships between different types of physical activity and various aspects of health and well-being. In addition, we sought to understand the role of self-connection in these relationships. Method: One hundred forty-three participants completed a questionnaire designed to measure their current weekly activity as well as their current health and well-being. Specifically, we examined three intensities of activity (walking, moderate, and vigorous) and three types of activity (team-based, community-based, and not team nor community-based) on self-reported health, anxiety, depression, affect, flourishing, job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and meaning in life. In addition, we examined self-connection as a possible moderator of these relationships. Results: Results suggested that physical activity was inconsistently related to health and well-being, and activity intensity and type were important to understanding these relationships. In contrast, self-connection reliably related to health and well-being and moderated the relationship between activity type and the presence of meaning. Limitations: The cross-sectional, self-report nature of the study limits its contribution. In addition, we only examined a subset of all physical activities that people engage in. Conclusion: In all, results suggest that the relationships between physical activity, mental health, and well-being are tenuous, at best. Future research needs to examine these relationships further and continue to examine self-connection to determine how to best increase health and well-being through physical activity.

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When altruists cannot help: The influence of altruism on mental health during COVID-19 pandemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-25715/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yi Feng ◽

Dan Dong ◽

Min Zong ◽

Zhizun Yang ◽

Zhihong Qiao

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Negative Affect ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Valuable Insight

Abstract Background The positive predictive effect of altruism on physical and psychological well-being has been extensively demonstrated in previous studies, but few studies have examined the effect of altruism on negative mental health outcomes when altruists cannot perform altruistic behaviors. This study explored the influence of altruism on negative affect and mental health (anxiety and depression) during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when people self-isolated at home in China.Method: College students were recruited via a cross-sectional online survey during the outbreak of COVID-19 in China. Self-reported perceived risk, altruism, negative affect, anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Self-Report Altruism Scale (SRA), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the 9-item PHQ depression scale (PHQ-9). A structural equation model was used to analyze the mediating and moderating effects on mental health.Results The final sample comprised 1346 Chinese participants (Mage = 19.76 ± 2.23 years, 73% female). Overall, the higher risk people perceived, the more negative affect they exhibited (β = 0.16, p < .001); thus, the more anxious and depressed they felt (β = 0.134, p < .001), but this relationship between risk perception and negative affect was moderated by altruism. Paradoxical to previous studies, the increase in negative affect associated with increased perceived risk was pronounced among individuals with high altruism ( t = 7.68, p < .001).Conclusions Individuals with high altruism exhibited more negative affect, indirectly increasing their anxiety and depressive symptoms. The findings enrich the theory of altruism and provide valuable insight into the influence of altruism on mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

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The Mental Health of Visitors of Web-Based Support Forums for Bereaved by Suicide

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000281 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 38-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Jeannet Kramer ◽

Brigitte Boon ◽

Marijke Schotanus-Dijkstra ◽

Wouter van Ballegooijen ◽

Ad Kerkhof ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Complicated Grief ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Online Support ◽

Mutual Support ◽

Web Based

Background: Persons bereaved by suicide are reluctant to ask for social support when they experience feelings of guilt and blame. A web-based peer forum may provide a safe and anonymous place for mutual support. Aims: This study examined the mental health changes of visitors of two online support forums for persons bereaved by suicide and their experiences with the forum over 1 year. Method: Visitors of two forums completed self-report measures at baseline and at 6 and 12 months' follow-up. Repeated measures analyses were used to study changes in well-being, depressive symptoms, and complicated grief. Additionally, participants were interviewed about their experiences with the forum. Results: The 270 participants were mostly female, low in well-being, with high levels of depressive symptoms and complicated grief. Suicidal risk was high for 5.9%. At 12 months, there were small to medium-sized significant improvements in well-being and depressive symptoms (p < .001) and nearly as much for grief (p = .08). About two thirds reported benefit from visiting the forum. Because of the pre–post design we cannot determine whether a causal relationship exists between the form and changes in mental health. Conclusion: After 1 year some positive changes but a large group was still struggling with their mental health. Interviews indicate that the forum was valued for finding recognition.

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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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Seasonal Differences in Light Exposure and the Associations With Health and Well-Being in Older Adults: An Exploratory Study

HERD Health Environments Research & Design Journal ◽

10.1177/1937586717697650 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 64-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Amanda Nioi ◽

Jenny Roe ◽

Alan Gow ◽

David McNair ◽

Peter Aspinall

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Older People ◽

Physical Activity Level ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Light Exposure ◽

Well Being ◽

Activity Level ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Health And Well Being

Objective: This article reports summer verses winter seasonal variations across a suite of blue light, illuminance levels and health and well-being indicators. Background: The quality of lighting in care homes has been assessed previously, yet seasonal comparisons and the associations with sleep quality are limited. This exploratory study investigates light exposure in two seasons to determine the changes over time and the associations with health and well-being. Methods: In a repeated measures design, 16 older people (aged 72–99 years) living in a care home had their personal light exposure and sleep/wake patterns monitored for 4 days. Cognitive ability, mental well-being, daytime physical activity, and visual function were assessed. Mean light levels at preset times across the day, duration in light exposure over 1,000 lux, and sleep parameters were computed. Statistical investigations included correlations exploring associations and paired means tests to detect the changes between seasons. Results: The mean morning illuminance level in summer was 466 lux and 65 lux in winter. Duration in bright light over 1,000 lux was 46 min in summer and 3 min in winter. Light measures were significantly higher in summer. There was no statistical difference in sleep quality parameters between seasons, but there were significant difference in daytime physical activity level (i.e., this was higher in summer). Conclusion: The findings indicate low level of light exposures experienced in both seasons, with exposure levels being particularly low in winter. This provides new insights into the limited amount of light older people receive independent of season and the possible impacts on sleep and daytime physical activity level.

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When altruists cannot help: The influence of altruism on the mental health of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-25715/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yi Feng ◽

Min Zong ◽

Zhizun Yang ◽

Wen Gu ◽

Dan Dong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Negative Affect ◽

University Students ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Online Survey ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Valuable Insight

Abstract Background: The positive predictive effect of altruism on physical and psychological well-being has been extensively demonstrated in previous studies, but few studies have examined the effect of altruism on negative mental health outcomes when altruists cannot perform altruistic behaviours. This study explored the influence of altruism on negative affect and mental health (anxiety and depressive symptoms) during the COVID-19 pandemic while people self-isolated at home in China.Method: University students were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional online survey during the outbreak of COVID-19 in China. Self-reported perceived risk, altruism, negative affect, anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Self-Report Altruism Scale (SRA scale), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-9). A structural equation model was used to analyse the mediating and moderating effects on mental health. Results: The final sample comprised 1346 Chinese participants (Mage = 19.76 ± 2.23 years, 73% female). Overall, the higher the risk the participants perceived, the more negative affect they exhibited (β = 0.16, p < .001), and thus, the more anxious and depressed they felt (β = 0.134, p < .001); however, this relationship between risk perception and negative affect was moderated by altruism. In contrast to previous studies, the increase in negative affect associated with the increased perceived risk was pronounced among individuals with high altruism (t = 7.68, p < .001). Conclusions: Individuals with high altruism exhibited more negative affect than those with low altruism, which indirectly increased their anxiety and depressive symptoms. These findings enrich theories of altruism and provide valuable insight into the influence of altruism on mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Mental health impact of COVID-19 pandemic among physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers, in the province of Alberta (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.27469 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hany ElGindi ◽

Reham Shalaby ◽

April Gusnowski ◽

Wesley Vuong ◽

Shireen Surood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽

High Stress ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Generalized Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, threats to mental health, psychological safety, and well-being are evident, particularly among the first responders and the healthcare staff. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the prevalence and the potential predictors of the likely stress, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder among healthcare workers (HCW). METHODS A cross-sectional survey was used through a survey link sent to gather demographic information and responses on several self-report scales, including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) among the various HCW groupings who subscribed to the Text4Hope program. RESULTS This study revealed that the HCW expressed an estimated high prevalence of moderate/high stress rates 840 (81.2%), while the likelihood of moderate/severe anxiety and depressive symptoms were 369 (38.6%), and 317 (32.7%), respectively, during COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses and other HCW were significantly more likely to report depressive symptoms, compared to physicians, (F (2, 159.47) =15.89, 95% CI= (-5.05) -(-2.04). Younger age groups of HCW (≤30 y) were more prone to report likely stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, compared to HCW 41-50y and >50y (Odd’s ratio range: 1.82- 3.03). Similarly, females and those who reported a lack of social support (separated/divorced and single) among HCW, had a higher likelihood to report likely stress and depressive symptoms, respectively (OR=1.8 and 1.6). CONCLUSIONS This cross-sectional study revealed the significant impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and indicated significant vulnerability among groups of HCW in Alberta. CLINICALTRIAL Ethical approval for this research was obtained through the University of Alberta Health Research Ethics Board (Pro00086163).

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Biopsychological Markers of Distress in Informal Caregivers

Biological Research For Nursing ◽

10.1177/1099800404267353 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 90-99 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Linda Lindsey Davis ◽

Michael Weaver ◽

Edward Zamrini ◽

Alan Stevens ◽

Duck-Hee Kang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Negative Mood ◽

Biological Marker ◽

Well Being ◽

Biological Data ◽

Self Report ◽

Caregiver Distress ◽

Community Based ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Pencil And Paper

Background. Thirty caregiving wives participated in a study of caregiving distress and negative mood (depressive symptoms) by making diary entries on stressful caregiving situations and collecting saliva samples 4 times a day. At the end of the 7-day study period, caregivers’ salivary cortisol production was compared with their diary entries and correlated with pencil and paper self-report scores of caregiver distress and depressive symptoms.Findings. Despite the inability to control a number of factors thought to confound cortisol production (exercise, smoking, alcohol ingestion, and prescription medications), there was a statistically significant difference between No Caregiving and Caregiving cortisol, F( 1,739) = 7.67, P = 0.006, with cortisol production higher when caregiving events occurred. However, efforts to code specific types of caregiving situations (e.g., 1 = indirect care; 4 = AD problem behavior care) did not further differentiate cortisol production. Although caregivers’ self-reports for the same 7-day period indicated they were depressed, pencil-and-paper measures of distress and negative affect were not significantly correlated with cortisol production.Conclusions and Recommendations. The finding that this caregiving group was significantly stressed by caregiving, as evidenced by increased cortisol production during caregiving episodes, verifies the importance of further exploration of specific caregiving situations as contributory factors in caregiver health and well-being. In that saliva is a relatively economical and comparatively noninvasive biological data source for community-based stress studies, methodological limitations of the study are identified and 5 recommendations are made for future biological marker studies of caregiver distress in community-based settings.

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The Big Three Health Behaviors and Mental Health and Well-Being Among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Investigation of Sleep, Exercise, and Diet

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2020.579205 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Shay-Ruby Wickham ◽

Natasha A. Amarasekara ◽

Adam Bartonicek ◽

Tamlin S. Conner

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Young Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Well Being ◽

Higher Order ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health And Well Being

BackgroundSleep, physical activity, and diet have been associated with mental health and well-being individually in young adults. However, which of these “big three” health behaviors most strongly predicts mental health and well-being, and their higher-order relationships in predictive models, is less known. This study investigated the differential and higher-order associations between sleep, physical activity, and dietary factors as predictors of mental health and well-being in young adults.MethodIn a cross-sectional survey design, 1,111 young adults (28.4% men) ages 18–25 from New Zealand and the United States answered an online survey measuring typical sleep quantity and quality; physical activity; and consumption of raw and processed fruit and vegetables, fast food, sweets, and soda, along with extensive covariates (including demographics, socioeconomic status, body mass index, alcohol use, smoking, and health conditions) and the outcome measures of depressive symptoms [measured by the Center for Epidemiological Depression Scale (CES-D)] and well-being (measured by the Flourishing Scale).ResultsControlling for covariates, sleep quality was the strongest predictor of depressive symptoms and well-being, followed by sleep quantity and physical activity. Only one dietary factor—raw fruit and vegetable consumption—predicted greater well-being but not depressive symptoms when controlling for covariates. There were some higher-order interactions among health behaviors in predicting the outcomes, but these did not survive cross-validation.ConclusionSleep quality is an important predictor of mental health and well-being in young adults, whereas physical activity and diet are secondary but still significant factors. Although strictly correlational, these patterns suggest that future interventions could prioritize sleep quality to maximize mental health and well-being in young adults.

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