Time-use and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a panel analysis of 55,204 adults followed across 11 weeks of lockdown in the UK

Abstract

There is currently major concern about the impact of the global COVID 19 outbreak on mental health. But it remains unclear how individual behaviors could exacerbate or protect against adverse changes in mental health. This study aimed to examine the associations between specific activities (or time use) and mental health and wellbeing amongst people during the COVID 19 pandemic. Data were from the UCL COVID 19 Social Study; a panel study collecting data weekly during the COVID 19 pandemic. The analytical sample consisted of 55,204 adults living in the UK who were followed up for the strict 11 week lockdown period from 21st March to 31st May 2020. Data were analyzed using fixed effects and Arellano Bond models. We found that changes in time spent on a range of activities were associated with changes in mental health and wellbeing. After controlling for bidirectionality, behaviors involving outdoor activities including gardening and exercising predicted subsequent improvements in mental health and wellbeing, while increased time spent on following news about COVID 19 predicted declines in mental health and wellbeing. These results are relevant to the formulation of guidance for people obliged to spend extended periods in isolation during health emergencies, and may help the public to maintain wellbeing during future pandemics.

Psychosocial impact on frontline health and social care professionals in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study

“…We recruited health and social care professionals from across the UK using social media, personal contacts, newsletters and from a sample of participants taking part in a large, nationwide, quantitative survey study: the UCL COVID-19 Social Study. 23 This research forms a qualitative component of this larger study. Twenty-five participants, from a range of frontline professions within health and social care, were recruited and interviewed between 1 May and 17 September ( table 1 ).…”

Music Listening Predicted Improved Life Satisfaction in University Students During Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…A single item was used to measure participant life satisfaction on each questionnaire ( Bu et al, 2020 ). This item was phrased as, “All things considered, how satisfied have you been with life as a whole this past week?” (or in the case of the first questionnaire, “prior to any lifestyle changes due to COVID-19?”).…”

“…In order to successfully protect both physical and psychological health during COVID-19, individuals were required to adapt to new circumstances and develop new routines ( Bu et al, 2020 , p. 2). There is clear evidence of changes to people’s behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…There is clear evidence of changes to people’s behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, people’s leisure activities were sharply curtailed, with many activities, such as shopping and sport participation, prohibited ( Bu et al, 2020 , p. 2). People spent considerably more time (than pre-COVID-19) at home, exercised less, and consumed more alcohol ( Koopmann et al, 2020 ; Zheng et al, 2020 ).…”

Smoking, distress and COVID-19 in England: cross-sectional population surveys from 2016 to 2020

“…The increase in levels of both moderate and severe distress among smokers is likely caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and associated stay-at-home restrictions that have affected work and social life in England. 29 Moreover, while mental health has deteriorated in the overall population as a result of COVID-19 12 , our analysis using exclusively April-July 2020 data highlighted that smokers specifically continue to display elevated levels of distress compared with non-smokers. Together these findings have concerning implications for existing smoking-related health inequalities considering the strong and potentially bidirectional associations between smoking and mental illness.…”