Impact of loneliness on health-related factors in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective study.

ABSTRACT: COVID-19 pandemic and its associated social and physical distancing restrictions may have had a severe impact on health. In the present study, we investigate the changes in physical, social and mental health, as well as the health literacy of Australians subsequent to the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, and examine the influence of loneliness on these health-related factors. Using a retrospective cross-sectional study design, 607 Australian adults completed a self-report online survey which assessed their health-related factors before and after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (data collected between June 2020 to November 2020). Australians reported statistically significant increase in a number of (poorer) health-related factors (e.g., weight gain, sleeping difficulties, poor somatic health, hi

SUBMITTER: Vasan S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9353389 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature