2.73 Parent Physical Activity, Social Video Chatting, and Mental Health During COVID-19: Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Associations

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns in Canada resulted in limited opportunities for physical activity and social contact with others. More physical activity has been associated with less depression and anxiety. The association of video chatting with depression and anxiety is less clear. We examined the longitudinal causal pathways of physical activity and social video chatting, both potentially modifiable risk factors, on parent symptoms of depression and anxiety over the COVID-19 pandemic.