Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown might increase anxiety and depressive symptoms, but some behaviors may protect against them.Method
To provide a preliminary evidence of the behaviors associated with decreased symptoms in the current COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, we conducted a survey of 5545 adult individuals from the Spanish general population, two weeks after an official lockdown was established across the country.Results
Sixty-five percent of the sample reported anxiety or depressive symptoms. Following a healthy/balanced diet and not reading news/updates about COVID-19 very often were the best predictors of lower levels of anxiety symptoms. Following a healthy/balanced diet, following a routine, not reading news/updates about COVID-19 very often, taking the opportunity to pursue hobbies, and staying outdoors or looking outside were the best predictors of lower levels of depressive symptoms.Limitations
Cross-sectional nature and use of sample of convenience.Conclusions
This study suggests that "simple" coping behaviors may protect against anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.
SUBMITTER: Fullana MA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7329680 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Fullana Miquel A MA Hidalgo-Mazzei Diego D Vieta Eduard E Radua Joaquim J
Journal of affective disorders 20200702
<h4>Background</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown might increase anxiety and depressive symptoms, but some behaviors may protect against them.<h4>Method</h4>To provide a preliminary evidence of the behaviors associated with decreased symptoms in the current COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, we conducted a survey of 5545 adult individuals from the Spanish general population, two weeks after an official lockdown was established across the country.<h4>Results</h4>Sixty-five percent of the sample ...[more]