Abstract
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.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to have multidimensional effects, endangering not just health, and economic stability, civil rights, and mental health [1]
Stanton et al found that adults who reported negative changes in physical activity, sleep, alcohol intake, and cigarette smoking demonstrated higher psychological distress, which was expressed in terms of more severe depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms [15]
In light of the above findings, our second research hypothesis was that the level of COVID-related stressors moderates the association between lifestyle changes due to COVID-19 and psychological distress, whereby there is a stronger association in those who perceive the event as more stressful (Figure 1)
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to have multidimensional effects, endangering not just health, and economic stability, civil rights, and mental health [1]. Stanton et al found that adults who reported negative changes in physical activity, sleep, alcohol intake, and cigarette smoking demonstrated higher psychological distress, which was expressed in terms of more severe depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms [15]. This finding led the authors to recommend that the public be encouraged to make behavioral changes related to adopting a healthier lifestyle. The study focuses on changes in five behaviors associated with health: cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, sleep quality, and eating habits. In light of the above findings, our second research hypothesis was that the level of COVID-related stressors moderates the association between lifestyle changes due to COVID-19 and psychological distress, whereby there is a stronger association in those who perceive the event as more stressful (Figure 1)
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