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The Relationship Between Anxiety Levels, Sleep, and Physical Activity During COVID-19 Lockdown: An Exploratory Study
Roberta Frontini1,2, Ricardo Rebelo-Gonçalves3,4, Nuno Amaro2,3
1Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal.
Frontiers in Psychology
|April 16, 2021
Summary
This study found that during COVID-19 lockdown, females reported higher state and trait anxiety. Increased physical activity and better sleep quality were linked to lower anxiety levels in the Portuguese population.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on anxiety levels, remains a critical area of research.
- Understanding variations in anxiety across different demographic groups, including gender, is essential for targeted mental health interventions.
- The interplay between anxiety, sleep quality, and physical activity during public health crises requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize state and trait anxiety levels in the Portuguese population during the initial COVID-19 lockdown.
- To examine variations in anxiety based on gender, sleep quality, and physical activity levels.
- To explore the relationship between trait and state anxiety and the moderating role of gender.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional online study involving 1,332 Portuguese adults (aged 18-55) during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Data collection included sociodemographic information and the Portuguese version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).
- Statistical analyses were performed to identify gender differences and variations related to sleep and physical activity.
Main Results:
- Females reported significantly higher levels of both state anxiety (p < 0.001, d = 0.385) and trait anxiety (p < 0.001, d = 0.467).
- Increased physical activity and higher satisfaction with sleep quality were associated with lower state and trait anxiety levels (p < 0.001).
- Higher trait anxiety correlated with higher state anxiety, irrespective of gender.
Conclusions:
- Mental health interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic should address anxiety, considering gender differences and behavioral factors like sleep and physical activity.
- Health professionals should assess both situational (state) and dispositional (trait) anxiety to mitigate the psychological consequences of the pandemic.
- Promoting physical activity and improving sleep hygiene may be beneficial strategies for managing anxiety during public health crises.
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