Depression, Anxiety and Stress During COVID-19 [COVID-19 and Physical Activity Series]
Depression, Anxiety and Stress During COVID-19 by Dr. Stanton and co-authors is an online survey of 1,491 Australian adults. Data was collected in April 2020, after the March 2020 enactment of physical distancing restrictions, including the closure of usual places to be physically active such as health & fitness centers and outdoor recreation facilities. Previous studies have demonstrated strong positive associations between physical activity and lower psychological distress, indicating that beginning or continuing physical activity during the pandemic could aid in reducing psychological distress. Psychological distress was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS 21) and physical activity was assessed using the Active Australia Survey (AAS). Dr. Stanton and co-authors found negative changes reported for physical activity (48.9%), sleep (40.7%), alcohol (26.6%) and smoking (6.9%) since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also found that negative changes in physical activity, sleep, smoking and alcohol intake were associated with higher depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. Specifically, participants who reported a negative change in physical activity were more likely to have higher depression (adjusted OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.11), anxiety (adjusted OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.05, 1.13), and stress (adjusted OR = 1.08, 95% CI=1.05, 1.11) symptoms. Health-promotion strategies directed at adopting or maintaining positive health-related behaviors should be utilized to address increases in psychological distress during the pandemic.
Stanton, R., To, Q. G., Khalesi, S., Williams, S. L., Alley, S. J., Thwaite, T. L., ... & Vandelanotte, C. (2020). Depression, Anxiety and Stress during COVID-19: Associations with Changes in Physical Activity, Sleep, Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Australian Adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(11), 4065.
