Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Lifestyle and Psychosocial Stress - An Online Survey

Abstract

Background: In addition to the socioeconomic problems, COVID-19 related lockdown may have profound mental health consequences. Aims and Objectives: The objectives were to assess the influence of lockdown on lifestyle, psychosocial stresses, and experienced quality of life (QOL). The study also assesses the association of the socio-demographic variables with lifestyle, psychosocial stress, and QOL. Methodology: An online survey on the lifestyle changes, psychosocial stress, and QOL were conducted using a validated questionnaire via the Google forms platform. The data collected were analysed using parametric and nonparametric tests. Results: The study included 263 respondents. The fear of developing COVID-19 was reported by 67.7%, 31.2% experienced weight gain, internet use was increased in 66.9%, and alcoholism and smoking decreased by 83.3% and 58.8%, respectively. Lockdown upset 48.3% moderately, and 36.1% experienced anxiety, 23.4% feared job loss, and 51.3% had financial worries. 91.1% of the study population reported fair to good QOL. Females showed significantly more religiosity, (Χ 2= 7.81; p= 0.02) did lesser exercise, (Χ 2= 10.9; p= 0.023) and had poor mood. (t=2.68; p=0.009) Older people were less afraid of COVID-19 infection and were less upset by the lockdown. The urban population was more fearful of COVID-19 and were more upset by the lockdown. Conclusion: Lockdown had a major effect on lifestyle and increased psychosocial stress, but people still experienced a fair QOL during this period.

Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on lifestyle behaviour: A review of studies published in India

“…1 represents the steps taken for literature search. A total of 11 cross-sectional studies (10 community based [ 3 , 4 , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] ] and 01 hospital based [ 5 ]), conducted among the Indian population, with a varying sample size from 110 to 1026 subjects, conducted between the duration of March 29, 2020, to August 30, 2020, were included.…”

“…Out of all 11 articles (N = 5957, age group 18–70 years, comprising males and females) included in the present review 9 [ [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] ], 8 [ 3 , [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] ] and 6 [ 3 , 5 , [7] , [8] , [9] , 11 ] articles were stressed studying about eating or dietary behaviour, sleep and physical activity or exercise status respectively. Whereas, psychosocial or any kind of mental stress was found common among all 11 articles [ [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] ] ( Table 1 ).…”

“… S. No. Author and Year Sample Size Study design Study Period Diet Physical Activity Stress Sleep Type of study Nair DR et al., 2020 [ 3 ] 263 Cross-sectional (Online Survey) April 30, 2020, to May 12, 2020 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ C Paul G et al., 2020 [ 4 ] 1026 Cross-sectional, observational study (Online Survey) The first week of May ✓ ✓ C Sankar P et al., 2020 [ 5 ] 110 Cross-sectional, observational study (Direct Interview) May 2020 (third week) to June 2020 (third week) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ H Basu S et al., 2020 [ 6 ] 1011 Cross-sectional (Online survey) – ✓ ✓ ✓ C Dey S et al., 2020 [ 7 ] 234 Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study Last week of May ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ C Chopra S et al., 2020 [ 8 ] ...…”

“… S. No. Author and Year Diet Nair DR et al., 2020 [ 3 ] Among all 17.9% increased their food consumption, and 8.3% ate lesser than earlier Paul G et al., 2020 [ 4 ] Increased consumption of fruit was observed among 52% of general public participants and 61% of health care workers, to boost immunity Increased intake of vitamins, herbal tonics, and people turning to be vegan was also observed to boost immunity. Sankar P et al., 2020 [ 5 ] Unhealthy dietary pattern was observed among younger patients compared to older patients (p = 0.001) Increased consumption of vegetables, fruits by 80.9%, 42.7%, and a decrease in unhealthy snacking by 63% were observed respectively.…”

Living in fear: The relationship between fear of COVID-19, distress, health, and marital satisfaction among Israeli women

“…For example, women reported a greater psychological impact as a result of the lockdown, and expressed higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression during the initial phase of the COVID-19 outbreak in China (Wang et al, 2020) and 25 European countries (Limcaoco et al, 2020). In addition, women expressed higher levels of worry, concern, and fear of contracting COVID-19 in studies conducted in several countries such as Turkey (Bakio glu et al, 2020) and India (Nair et al, 2020).…”