The impact of Covid-19 on physical activity and mental health
A mixed-methods approach
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4228532 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Wai Tung Hung (0009-0005-7166-4589, University College London, London, UK), Vaughan Bell (0000-0001-8616-4847, University College London, London, UK), Keri Ka-Yee Wong, Keri Ka‐yee Wong (0000-0002-2962-8438, University College London, London, UK) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 808-822 |
| Publication date | 2025-03-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Health Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1359-1053 • E-ISSN: 1461-7277 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1177/13591053241275599 |
| PMID | 39277580 |
| OpenAlex | W4402553485 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 51 |
This mixed-methods study investigated how and why physical activity (PA), anxiety, depression and self-perceived loneliness are related, and the feasibility of social prescribing (SP). Whilst SP may involve PA with broader effects on health and wellbeing, there is little research exploring perceptions of this intervention. Data from the UCL-Penn Global COVID Study wave 1 (17 April-17 July 2020, N = 1037) were analysed. Twenty-one UK adults who self-identified as low ( n = 15) and high ( n = 6) on PA at wave 1 were interviewed at wave 4 (18 March-1 August 2022). At wave 1, depression was associated with higher odds of low-PA (OR = 1.05; 95% CI 1.01-1.10, p = 0.02). Both high/low-PA groups cited the threat of contracting COVID-19, general impacts of COVID-19 policies and heightened awareness of the mind-body connection. Five recommendations are made to address challenges in engaging with SP
2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Environmental health · Infectious disease (medical specialty · Mental health · Outbreak · Pandemic · Psychiatry · Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Medicine · Physical Activity and Health · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Virology
Factors associated with psychological distress during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic on the predominantly general population
Validity of the Brief Patient Health Questionnaire Mood Scale (PHQ-9) in the general population
A meta-analysis of self-determination theory-informed intervention studies in the health domain
Anxiety Disorders in Primary Care
Epidemiology of mental health problems in Covid-19
Loneliness in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic
The effect of age, gender, income, work, and physical activity on mental health during coronavirus disease (Covid-19) lockdown in Austria
Changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviours from before to during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown
Social cognitive theory and physical activity
Is Physical Activity Associated with Less Depression and Anxiety During the Covid-19 Pandemic? A Rapid Systematic Review
A meta-meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety in non-clinical adult populations
Prospective prediction of health-related behaviours with the Theory of Planned Behaviour
Physical inactivity is associated with a higher risk for severe Covid-19 outcomes
A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016
International Physical Activity Questionnaire
The PHQ-9
The PHQ-9
World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour
Ucla Loneliness Scale (Version 3)
Physical Activity as a Coping Strategy for Mental Health Due to the Covid-19 Virus
Systematic review of psychometric properties and cross-cultural adaptation of the University of California and Los Angeles loneliness scale in adults
Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being
Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour
Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Response to Covid-19 and Their Associations with Mental Health in 3052 US Adults
A Pandemic within the Pandemic? Physical Activity Levels Substantially Decreased in Countries Affected by Covid-19
Physical Activity among Adults Residing in 11 Countries during the Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown
Physical Activity during the Covid-19 Pandemic in the UK
Mental health symptoms in relation to socio-economic conditions and lifestyle factors – a population-based study in Sweden
It makes me feel not so alone”
Relations Between Anhedonia and Physical Activity
Impact of Covid-19 ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ Orders on Function among Older Adults Participating in a Community-Based, Behavioral Intervention Study
Validation and Standardization of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7) in the General Population
A global panel database of pandemic policies (Oxford Covid-19 Government Response Tracker)
Using thematic analysis in psychology
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |