Coping behaviors associated with decreased anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.

Miquel A Fullana, Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei, Eduard Vieta, Joaquim Radua

Journal: Journal of affective disorders 2020;275():80-81

PMID: 32658829

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Plain Language Summary

Worldwide, COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown might increase anxiety and depressive symptoms. The authors conducted an online survey of the general Spanish adult population two weeks after an official lockdown was established across the country as a quarantine. Results showed that: - sixty-five percent of the participants (mean age = 47 years; 73% females) reported anxiety or depressive symptoms (anxiety: 39% mild, 11% moderate, 4% severe; depressive: 29% mild, 9% moderate, 6% severe). - following a balanced diet and not reading news/updates about COVID-19 very often were the best predictors of lower levels of anxiety symptoms. - following a 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. Authors conclude that simple coping behaviours may protect against anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.

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.

Address: Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain; Adult Psychiatry and Psychology Department, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain; Adult Psychiatry and Psychology Department, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain; Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-detection (EPIC) Laboratory, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatric Research and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.06.027

Patient Centred Factor

Triggers: Anxiety and depressive symptoms

Physical Environment

Psychosocial influences

Clinical Imbalances

Neurological

Modifiable Lifestyle Factors

Diet

Nutrition Evidence Keywords

Healthy Nutrition Balanced diet

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MeSH Terms: Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Anxiety, COVID-19, Coronavirus Infections, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Pandemics, Pneumonia, Viral, Surveys and Questionnaires