Psychosocial and lifestyle predictors of distress and well-being in people with mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic

Justin J. Chapman; Eva Malacova; Sue Patterson; Nicola Reavley; Marianne Wyder; Wendy J. Brown; Emily Hielscher; Sarah Childs; James G. Scott

doi:10.1177/10398562211025040

Psychosocial and lifestyle predictors of distress and well-being in people with mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic

Justin J. Chapman^*, Eva Malacova, Sue Patterson, Nicola Reavley, Marianne Wyder, Wendy J. Brown, Emily Hielscher, Sarah Childs, James G. Scott

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

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Abstract

Objectives: People with mental illness may be vulnerable to psychological distress and reduced well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess psychosocial and lifestyle predictors of distress and well-being in people with mental illness during the pandemic.

Method: People with mental illness who participated in an exercise programme prior to the pandemic were invited to complete surveys about mental health and lifestyle corresponding to before and during the pandemic.

Results: Social support reduced, alcohol intake increased, and sleep quality and diet worsened during the pandemic, contributing to distress. Psychological distress was associated with the two or more mental illnesses, and negatively associated with having a physical disease. Better diet appeared to protect against increases in distress; loneliness hindered improvements in well-being.

Conclusions: Healthy lifestyle programmes designed to improve social connection may improve health for people with mental illnesses during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	617-624
Number of pages	8
Journal	Australasian Psychiatry
Volume	29
Issue number	6
Early online date	30 Jun 2021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562211025040
Publication status	Published - Dec 2021
Externally published	Yes

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Cite this

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title = "Psychosocial and lifestyle predictors of distress and well-being in people with mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic",

abstract = "Objectives: People with mental illness may be vulnerable to psychological distress and reduced well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess psychosocial and lifestyle predictors of distress and well-being in people with mental illness during the pandemic. Method: People with mental illness who participated in an exercise programme prior to the pandemic were invited to complete surveys about mental health and lifestyle corresponding to before and during the pandemic. Results: Social support reduced, alcohol intake increased, and sleep quality and diet worsened during the pandemic, contributing to distress. Psychological distress was associated with the two or more mental illnesses, and negatively associated with having a physical disease. Better diet appeared to protect against increases in distress; loneliness hindered improvements in well-being. Conclusions: Healthy lifestyle programmes designed to improve social connection may improve health for people with mental illnesses during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.",

author = "Chapman, {Justin J.} and Eva Malacova and Sue Patterson and Nicola Reavley and Marianne Wyder and Brown, {Wendy J.} and Emily Hielscher and Sarah Childs and Scott, {James G.}",

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doi = "10.1177/10398562211025040",

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AU - Chapman, Justin J.

AU - Malacova, Eva

AU - Patterson, Sue

AU - Reavley, Nicola

AU - Wyder, Marianne

AU - Brown, Wendy J.

AU - Hielscher, Emily

AU - Childs, Sarah

AU - Scott, James G.

PY - 2021/12

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N2 - Objectives: People with mental illness may be vulnerable to psychological distress and reduced well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess psychosocial and lifestyle predictors of distress and well-being in people with mental illness during the pandemic. Method: People with mental illness who participated in an exercise programme prior to the pandemic were invited to complete surveys about mental health and lifestyle corresponding to before and during the pandemic. Results: Social support reduced, alcohol intake increased, and sleep quality and diet worsened during the pandemic, contributing to distress. Psychological distress was associated with the two or more mental illnesses, and negatively associated with having a physical disease. Better diet appeared to protect against increases in distress; loneliness hindered improvements in well-being. Conclusions: Healthy lifestyle programmes designed to improve social connection may improve health for people with mental illnesses during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

AB - Objectives: People with mental illness may be vulnerable to psychological distress and reduced well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess psychosocial and lifestyle predictors of distress and well-being in people with mental illness during the pandemic. Method: People with mental illness who participated in an exercise programme prior to the pandemic were invited to complete surveys about mental health and lifestyle corresponding to before and during the pandemic. Results: Social support reduced, alcohol intake increased, and sleep quality and diet worsened during the pandemic, contributing to distress. Psychological distress was associated with the two or more mental illnesses, and negatively associated with having a physical disease. Better diet appeared to protect against increases in distress; loneliness hindered improvements in well-being. Conclusions: Healthy lifestyle programmes designed to improve social connection may improve health for people with mental illnesses during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

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JO - Australasian Psychiatry

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Psychosocial and lifestyle predictors of distress and well-being in people with mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

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