Health behaviors and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal population-based survey in Germany.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To understand the mental health response to repeated and prolonged stress during the COVID-19 related lockdown and the role of specific health behaviors to buffer against this stress.

Methods

In a longitudinal study with several measurement points covering three months during the COVID-19 pandemic, about 3500 randomly selected participants representative of the German population reported on their mental health (anxiety, depression, loneliness) and health behaviors (screen time, snack consumption, physical activity).

Results

Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and loneliness were highest shortly after the lockdown came into effect. Over time, the symptoms were stable or went down slightly, corresponding to patterns of habituation. Among people with higher vulner

SUBMITTER: Mata J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8479385 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature