TY - JOUR
T1 - The Role of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Altered Psychological Well-being, Mental Health and Sleep: An Online Cross-sectional Study
AU - Allen, Sarah
AU - Stevenson, Jodie
AU - Lazuras, Lambros
AU - Akram, Umair
PY - 2021/4/20
Y1 - 2021/4/20
N2 - Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic. Measures to reduce transmission of the virus have altered usual activities, routines, and livelihoods, and have had a significant impact on mental health. The current study aims to examine the potential alterations in psychological wellbeing, mental health, sleep and diurnal preference due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross sectional online questionnaire-based study with n=200 participants (aged 18-62; 7.86.0% female, 93.0% white, 92.5% UK-based, 73.5% students). Data were collected between 15th April and 8th June 2020. Participants answered questions on lifestyle changes and their concerns and worries about COVID-19, and completed the SCI, PHQ9, GAD7, PWB18, UCLA3 and MEQ. Results showed self-isolation was linked to lower psychological well-being, and increased loneliness, anxiety and depression. Home-working was related to a shift in diurnal preference. Reduced work/income was related to decreased psychological well-being and sleep quality and increased anxiety, depression, loneliness and. Intensity of worried thoughts and concerns about COVID-19 were positively correlated with anxiety, depression and negatively with sleep quality. In conclusion, the social, occupational and economic disruption due to COVID19 has had a negative impact on psychological well-being. However, the transition to home-working may have been somewhat beneficial for some individuals in terms of sleep. These findings should be taken into account by policy makers during the transition to the ‘new normal’ post-pandemic.
AB - Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic. Measures to reduce transmission of the virus have altered usual activities, routines, and livelihoods, and have had a significant impact on mental health. The current study aims to examine the potential alterations in psychological wellbeing, mental health, sleep and diurnal preference due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross sectional online questionnaire-based study with n=200 participants (aged 18-62; 7.86.0% female, 93.0% white, 92.5% UK-based, 73.5% students). Data were collected between 15th April and 8th June 2020. Participants answered questions on lifestyle changes and their concerns and worries about COVID-19, and completed the SCI, PHQ9, GAD7, PWB18, UCLA3 and MEQ. Results showed self-isolation was linked to lower psychological well-being, and increased loneliness, anxiety and depression. Home-working was related to a shift in diurnal preference. Reduced work/income was related to decreased psychological well-being and sleep quality and increased anxiety, depression, loneliness and. Intensity of worried thoughts and concerns about COVID-19 were positively correlated with anxiety, depression and negatively with sleep quality. In conclusion, the social, occupational and economic disruption due to COVID19 has had a negative impact on psychological well-being. However, the transition to home-working may have been somewhat beneficial for some individuals in terms of sleep. These findings should be taken into account by policy makers during the transition to the ‘new normal’ post-pandemic.
U2 - 10.1080/13548506.2021.1916963
DO - 10.1080/13548506.2021.1916963
M3 - Article
SN - 1354-8506
JO - Psychology, Health and Medicine
JF - Psychology, Health and Medicine
ER -