Psychological health and wellbeing during the COVID 19 outbreak

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having a profound effect on many aspects of society, including mental, physical health and wellbeing. Nevertheless, the burden of this infection and its ramifications on global mental health need to be better understood. This project will help us to understand the impact of the COVID-19 and lock-down situation on mental health, diet and alcohol consumption and identify effective and ineffective coping strategies.  

Objectives:  

To explore demographics and socioeconomic status differences in relation to stress, coping and resilience during the COVID19 pandemic.  

To examine alcohol intake cross –sectionally and over the duration of the study (4 time points over 9 months) and to evaluate any mediating effect of stress, coping, resilience, psychological flexibility, loneliness and diet quality on alcohol consumption and its direct consequences (hangover). 

To examine the effect of diet quality on mental health (stress, coping, resilience, psychological flexibility, loneliness) both cross- sectionally and longitudinally (4 time points over 9 months). 

Design:  

Surveys are being circulated across the UK in waves via a variety of online social media platforms including inter alia Facebook, twitter, and Email. 

Findings:  

Analysis of phase one cross-sectional data will begin following the first wave (in September) and this will be compared with data being collated by other institutions internationally for comparison. The study is currently underway and presently recruiting and we encourage all who are willing to please take part. To participate in the study please visit: https://tinyurl.com/y73f274q. 

Team: Dr Lauren Owen, Dr Lynne Marrow, and Sam Royle