Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the effects of the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown on mood states, stress, alcohol consumption and perceived immune fitness in a Dutch sample. Analysis included a subsample from the “Corona Lockdown: how fit are you?” (CLOFIT) study, comprising N = 761 participants who reported consuming alcohol in 2020. Results show that, compared to pre-lockdown, the first COVID-19 lockdown (March 2020) was associated with experiencing poorer mood (e.g., anxiety, depression, loneliness, fatigue) and increased stress levels. Among younger participants (18 to 35 years old), a significant decrease in weekly alcohol consumption was found during COVID-19 lockdown, which was not significant in older individuals. For the younger age cohort (18 to 35 years old), increased stress significantly correlated to increased weekly alcohol consumption (r = 0.163, p = 0.003), which in turn, correlated significantly to reporting a poorer perceived immune fitness (r = −0.165, p = 0.002). Poorer perceived immune fitness correlated significantly with increases in the presence and severity of COVID-19 symptoms (r = −0.313, p < 0.001, and r = −0.325, p < 0.001, respectively). The data provides evidence for significant relationships between changes in mood, stress and alcohol consumption during COVID-19 lockdown, and supports a model that links these changes to perceived immune fitness and susceptibility to experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Highlights
On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic [1]
Due to the nature of the transmission of this virus, multiple actions have been taken since its outbreak to prevent further spread of COVID-19
The objective of this study was to evaluate the proposed model describing the relationship between alcohol consumption and susceptibility to COVID-19 symptoms
Summary
On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic [1]. Important and effective measures were implemented, such as mandatory or advisory (partial) lockdown periods (i.e., stay at home), as well as quarantine for infected individuals (i.e., those experiencing symptoms and those suspected of infection). These measures were introduced with the aim to limit interpersonal contacts in order to reduce virus transmission. Across countries, during lockdown periods people were usually allowed to leave home for essential shopping only (e.g., grocery and pharmacy visits), had to work from home where possible, and were not allowed to socialize indoors with people from other households These measures were necessary and were implemented
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