Understanding the people confined by the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative analysis

On 15 March 2020, the Spanish population was obliged to confine at home, with no time to prepare. The objective of this study was to analyse the effects this confinement had on the population. 1,044 citizens (aged 16-84) agreed to participate. The study followed a phenomenological, qualitative research design, and a non-probabilistic snowball sampling was used to recruit the sample. Seven days after the confinement began, a questionnaire including one open question was distributed through social networks, email and the media to an initial wave of participants. They were asked to redistribute it among their contacts to reach a larger and less biased sample. Three positive topics emerged from the data: calm, hope/optimism and spirituality;and 11 negative topics: concern, weariness, stress/irritability, suspicion, anxiety, sadness, longing, indignation, pessimism, depression;and two that reflected both sides: emotional alternation and resignation. Because significant psychological consequences were observed (post-traumatic stress symptoms, confusion and anger), we believe monitoring the Spanish population's mental health is necessary. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) (Spanish) El 15 de marzo de 2020, la poblacion espanola fue obligada a confinarse en casa, sin tiempo para prepararse. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los efectos del confinamiento en la poblacion confinada. 1044 ciudadanos (16-84 anos) accedieron a participar. Se siguio un diseno de investigacion cualitativo de tipo fenomenologico y un muestreo no-probabilistico 'bola de nieve' para reclutarlos. Siete dias despues de iniciarse el confinamiento, un cuestionario con una pregunta abierta fue distribuido a traves de redes sociales, correo electronico y medios de comunicacion a una primera oleada de participantes. Se les pidio que lo re-distribuyeran entre sus contactos para obtener varias oleadas y lograr una muestra amplia y menos sesgada. De los datos emergieron tres temas positivos: tranquilidad, esperanza/optimismo y espiritualidad, 11 negativos: preocupacion, hastio, estres/irritabilidad, desconfianza, ansiedad, tristeza, anoranza, indignacion, pesimismo, soledad y depresion, y dos que reflejan ambas caras: alternancia emocional y resignacion. Muestran consecuencias psicologicas importantes (sintomas de estres postraumatico, confusion y enojo), por lo que se hace preciso una vigilancia del estado de animo de la poblacion espanola. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

COVID-19, psychological well-being and physical activity levels in older adults during the nationwide lockdown in Spain

Objective: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has forced nationwide lockdowns in many countries. As a result, most of the Spanish population had to self-isolate at home. The physical and psychological consequences of this unexpected scenario could be particularly worrisome for people older than 60 years. This study is aimed to examine the psychological well-being of older adults during the home isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to investigate whether meeting the World Health Organization's global recommendations on physical activity (PA) for health is associated with their resilience, affect, and depressive symptoms. Design, setting, and participants: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 483 citizens whose ages ranged from 60 to 92 years (overall sample: M = 65.49, SD = 5.14) were recruited via a snowball sampling strategy to answer to an online questionnaire. Measurements: The four instruments used were The Connor-Davidson CD-RISC resilience scale, The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the six-item self-report scale of Depressive Symptoms, and The international Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: Results showed that older adults who regularly engaged in vigorous (VPA) and moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during the quarantine reported higher scores in resilience (Locus, Self-efficacy, and Optimism), positive affect, and lower in depressive symptoms. Conclusion: These finding are the first quantitative evidence pointing toward a link between engagement in VPA and/or MVPA and resilience, positive affect, and depressive symptoms within the COVID-19 restrictions in Spain. Acknowledging these associations may be important in developing health promotion programs for older people during the remaining period of confinement or future ones. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

Physical Activity and Prevention of Depressive Symptoms in the Spanish Population during Confinement due to COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: In March 2020, the Spanish government established an official lockdown across the country in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and confined the population to their homes, restricting their mobility. The objectives of the study are twofold: a) to examine dose-response relationships between physical activity (PA) components (volume, intensity, frequency, duration) and depressive symptoms of the population during confinement, and b) to identify the optimal levels of PA to mitigate notable depressive symptoms (NDS). METHODS: 4,811 (2,952 women) Spanish citizens, age range 16-92 years, completed an online questionnaire (snowball sampling) to measure their levels of depressive symptoms, PA, and various anthropometric and sociometric variables. Volume (METs-min/week), frequency (days/week), and duration (hours) were examined using logistic regressions with restricted cubic splines. RESULTS: The PA components were inversely associated with NDS. Performing at least 477 METs-min/week was associated with a 33% decrease in probability of NDS, and reaching 3,000 METs-min/week was associated with the lowest risk of NDS (47%). As for frequency, with 10 times/week the probability of NDS was 56% lower. At 10 hours of weekly practice, the probability of NDS was 39% lower. CONCLUSIONS: A range and optimal amount of PA is suggested to reduce the appearance of SDN during confinement.

Resilience and physical activity in people under home isolation due to COVID-19: A preliminary evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The recent shelter-in-place order issued by the Spanish government (due to the outbreak of the COVID-19) forced the Spanish population to self-isolate at home. The psychological and social effects of this new situation are unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the impact of such scenario on citizens' resilience, as well as the connections between resilience, physical activity (PA), gender, weight and body mass index (BMI) before and after confinement, and COVID-19-related information. METHODS: A total of 1795 people answered an online questionnaire conducted on March 21st, , 2020, seven days after the mandatory shelter-in-place health order was issued. RESULTS: Results showed that individuals who regularly engaged in Vigorous PA during the first week of confinement reported higher resilience in terms of higher locus of control, higher self-efficacy, and higher optimism. Moreover, inter-personal resilience differences were observed based on gender, age groups, BMI, weight, and people living with dependent persons or under health risk conditions. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, these findings are the first quantitative evidence pointing towards a link between engagement in Vigorous PA and resilience within the COVID-19 restrictions in Spain. These findings may have important implications for general population during the course of this pandemic, or future ones.

Weight changes during the COVID-19 home confinement. Effects on psychosocial variables.

INTRODUCTION: The goal was to assess individuals' weight changes and their connections with depressive symptoms, optimism and physical activity. METHOD: 4379 Spanish citizens, 16-84 years, participated. RESULTS: Most participants declared no weight changes. Males, young and obese individuals had greater weight variability. Depressive symptoms were linked to larger weight changes. Optimism and MVPA followed a descending pattern from ≥-3 kg. MVPA minutes/week and fulfilling physical activity recommendations were inversely associated to weight changes. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 confinement impacted individuals' weight, expanding depreobesity to include weight loss. Optimism and physical activity seemed to be "protective elements".