A1 Journal article (refereed)
Personality Traits and Changes in Health Behaviors and Depressive Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic : A Longitudinal Analysis from Pre-pandemic to Onset and End of the Initial Emergency Conditions in Finland (2021)


Kekäläinen, T., Hietavala, E.-M., Hakamäki, M., Sipilä, S., Laakkonen, E. K., & Kokko, K. (2021). Personality Traits and Changes in Health Behaviors and Depressive Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic : A Longitudinal Analysis from Pre-pandemic to Onset and End of the Initial Emergency Conditions in Finland. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(15), Article 7732. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157732


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsKekäläinen, Tiia; Hietavala, Enni-Maria; Hakamäki, Matti; Sipilä, Sarianna; Laakkonen, Eija K.; Kokko, Katja

Journal or seriesInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

ISSN1661-7827

eISSN1660-4601

Publication year2021

Publication date21/07/2021

Volume18

Issue number15

Article number7732

PublisherMDPI AG

Publication countrySwitzerland

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157732

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessOpen Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77215


Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures targeting the transmission of the virus impacted everyday life in 2020. This study investigated pre- to in-pandemic changes in health behaviors and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of personality traits in these changes in Finland. Data from a larger population-based cohort study of 51–59-year-old Finnish women were used (n = 358). Self-reported questionnaires gathered information about depressive symptoms, eating behavior, physical activity, and alcohol consumption before the pandemic time, at the onset, and at the end of the COVID-19 emergency conditions. Information about personality traits (extraversion and neuroticism) and sociodemographic factors was available from the pre-pandemic baseline. Women reported more depressive symptoms and unhealthier eating habits at the end of the emergency conditions compared to the pre-pandemic time. An increase in depressive symptoms was associated with changing to unhealthier eating habits. Higher extraversion was associated with a perceived decrease in alcohol consumption and with changing to healthier eating habits. Women with higher neuroticism reported changing to either healthier or unhealthier eating habits. In general, some women reported healthier lifestyle changes while other women reported the opposite. Personality traits help to understand these individual differences in adaptation to the pandemic situation.


Keywordshealth behaviourCOVID-19lifestylefood habitsphysical activitypersonalitypersonality traitsalcohol usemental healthdepression (mental disorders)adaptation (change)pandemics

Free keywordsCOVID-19; lifestyle; mental health; exercise; eating; alcohol; personality


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Ministry reportingYes

Reporting Year2021

JUFO rating1


Last updated on 2024-10-03 at 20:35