Sansone-Pollock Mikaela, Mutrie Nanette, Guerra Cristóbal, Sechi Cristina, Mula Silvana, Calia Clara
School of Health in Social Science, The University of Edinburgh, Old Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG Scotland UK.
Moray House School of Education and Sport, The University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh (Holyrood Campus), Edinburgh, EH8 8AQ Scotland UK.
Trends Psychol. 2023 Apr 20:1-18. doi: 10.1007/s43076-023-00262-2.
COVID-19 restrictions could potentially induce poor mental health. This study considers opposing government restrictions on outdoor physical activity in Italy and the UK to evaluate participants' ability to conduct physical activity, the relationship between physical activity and mental health, and whether restrictions affect mental health as mediated by physical activity. Participants from the UK and Italy self-reported physical activity before and during restrictions, sociodemographic data, and symptoms of depressions, stress, and anxiety during restrictions. Changes in physical activity were analyzed by tests of differences, and relationships between mental health, physical activity, and the effect of country restrictions were evaluated through path analysis. Two hundred sixty-four participants (UK: 57%; Italy: 43%) responded. The model (χ2(2) = .429, > .05; RMSEA < .08; CFI > .90) confirmed the country's effect on physical activity. Participants from Italy significantly decreased physical activity while the least active individuals in the UK increased activity during restrictions. Decreases in physical activity had a significant effect on increased reports of stress and depression. Physical activity did not mediate mental health within the countries. Future policies may consider ways to support individuals in maintaining physical activity habits to minimize the possibility of worsening mental health.
新冠疫情限制措施可能会引发心理健康问题。本研究通过对比意大利和英国政府对户外体育活动的不同限制措施，来评估参与者进行体育活动的能力、体育活动与心理健康之间的关系，以及这些限制措施是否通过体育活动对心理健康产生影响。来自英国和意大利的参与者自行报告了限制措施实施之前和期间的体育活动情况、社会人口统计学数据，以及限制措施实施期间的抑郁、压力和焦虑症状。通过差异测试分析体育活动的变化情况，并通过路径分析评估心理健康、体育活动和国家限制措施的影响之间的关系。共有264名参与者做出回应（英国：57%；意大利：43%）。该模型（χ2(2) = .429， > .05；RMSEA < .08；CFI > .90）证实了国家对体育活动的影响。在限制措施实施期间，意大利参与者的体育活动显著减少，而英国最不活跃的参与者的体育活动有所增加。体育活动的减少对压力和抑郁报告的增加有显著影响。在各个国家内部，体育活动并未调节心理健康状况。未来的政策可能需要考虑如何支持个人保持体育活动习惯，以尽量减少心理健康恶化的可能性。
