Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Lifestyle and Psychosocial Stress - An Online Survey

Abstract

Background: In addition to the socioeconomic problems, COVID-19 related lockdown may have profound mental health consequences. Aims and Objectives: The objectives were to assess the influence of lockdown on lifestyle, psychosocial stresses, and experienced quality of life (QOL). The study also assesses the association of the socio-demographic variables with lifestyle, psychosocial stress, and QOL. Methodology: An online survey on the lifestyle changes, psychosocial stress, and QOL were conducted using a validated questionnaire via the Google forms platform. The data collected were analysed using parametric and nonparametric tests. Results: The study included 263 respondents. The fear of developing COVID-19 was reported by 67.7%, 31.2% experienced weight gain, internet use was increased in 66.9%, and alcoholism and smoking decreased by 83.3% and 58.8%, respectively. Lockdown upset 48.3% moderately, and 36.1% experienced anxiety, 23.4% feared job loss, and 51.3% had financial worries. 91.1% of the study population reported fair to good QOL. Females showed significantly more religiosity, (Χ 2= 7.81; p= 0.02) did lesser exercise, (Χ 2= 10.9; p= 0.023) and had poor mood. (t=2.68; p=0.009) Older people were less afraid of COVID-19 infection and were less upset by the lockdown. The urban population was more fearful of COVID-19 and were more upset by the lockdown. Conclusion: Lockdown had a major effect on lifestyle and increased psychosocial stress, but people still experienced a fair QOL during this period.