Were Perceptions of Physical Activity Impact on Mental Health Associated With Actual Mental Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic?
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Authors
Yousufi, Sameer
Date
2024-07-12
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Epidemiology , Mental Health , COVID-19 , Perception
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background: With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic announced in March 2020, many
studies reported deteriorating changes in physical, social, and mental wellbeing. Physical activity
an established determinant of social and mental health, changed during the pandemic. This thesis
examined the role of positive and negative perceptions of physical activity’s impact on mental
health on severe mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: The first objective was to determine if there was an association between the perceived impact of physical activity on mental health status and severe mental distress. The
second objective was to determine whether this relationship varied over time as the COVID-19
pandemic progressed. Methods: Cross-sectional data from April 2021 to April 2022 collected by Mental Health
Research Canada (MHRC) was used, involving 24,144 adult Canadian survey respondents across
seven polls. The main exposure variable was the perception of physical activity impact on mental
health (positive, negative, neutral), and the outcome variable of interest was mental health status
corresponding to severe levels of mental distress. The exposure variable used an ordinal scale to
assess perceptions. Severe levels of mental distress were measured using the PHQ-9 and the
GAD-7, recoded to reflect severe symptoms of either. Logistic regression models were created to
examine associations between the main study variables of interest while controlling for
covariates. A stratified analysis of the final logistic regression model was conducted to examine
findings by each survey poll. Results: Negative perceptions of physical activity impact on mental health were associated with
higher odds of severe mental distress when compared to neutral perceptions, with effects modified by gender but not income (Men-high income: OR= 3.27, 95% CI = [2.25, 4.76], Men low income: OR= 3.10, 95% CI = [2.27, 4.22], Women-high income: OR= 1.87, 95% CI = [1.43, 2.45], Women-low income: OR= 1.88, 95% CI = [1.49, 2.38]). However, positive perceptions of
physical activity impact on mental health were not associated with severe mental distress when
compared to neutral perceptions for women.
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Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.