Modelling the complexity of pandemic-related lifestyle quality change and mental health: An analysis of a nationally representative UK general population sample

Sarah Butter, Philip Hyland, Orla McBride, Jamie Murphy, M Shevlin, Todd Hartman, K Bennett, Jilly Gibson‐Miller, Liat Levita, A. Martinez, Liam Mason, R. M. McKay, Thomas VA Stocks, Frederique Vallieres, Richard Bentall

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the way many individuals go about their daily lives. This study attempted to model the complexity of change in lifestyle quality as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its context within the UK adult population.

Methods
Data from the COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium Study (Wave 3, July 2020; N = 1166) were utilised. A measure of COVID-19-related lifestyle change captured how individuals’ lifestyle quality had been altered as a consequence of the pandemic. Exploratory factor analysis and latent profile analysis were used to identify distinct lifestyle quality change subgroups, while multinomial logistic regression analysis was employed to describe class membership.

Results
Five lifestyle dimensions, reflecting partner relationships, health, family and friend relations, personal and social activities, and work life, were identified by the EFA, and seven classes characterised by distinct patterns of change across these dimensions emerged from the LPA: (1) better overall (3.3%), (2) worse except partner relations (6.0%), (3) worse overall (2.5%), (4) better relationships (9.5%), (5) better except partner relations (4.3%), (6) no different (67.9%), and (7) worse partner relations only (6.5%). Predictor variables differentiated membership of classes. Notably, classes 3 and 7 were associated with poorer mental health (COVID-19 related PTSD and suicidal ideation).

Conclusions
Four months into the pandemic, most individuals’ lifestyle quality remained largely unaffected by the crisis. Concerningly however, a substantial minority (15%) experienced worsened lifestyles compared to before the pandemic. In particular, a pronounced deterioration in partner relations seemed to constitute the more severe pandemic-related lifestyle change.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages14
JournalSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Early online date16 Dec 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished online - 16 Dec 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The initial stages of this project were supported by start-up funds from the University of Sheffield (Department of Psychology, the Sheffield Methods Institute and the Higher Education Innovation Fund via an Impact Acceleration grant administered by the university) and by the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences at Ulster University. The research was subsequently supported by the ESRC (grant ref. ES/V004379/1): ‘A longitudinal mixed-methods population study of the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: Psychological and social adjustment to a global threat’.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s).

Keywords

  • Lifestyle
  • COVID-19
  • Latent variable modelling
  • Mental health
  • Relationships
  • Pandemic
  • UK
  • Covid-19
  • Latent Variable Modelling

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