TY - JOUR
AU - Williams, Lynn
AU - MacDonald, Bradley
AU - Rollins, Lesley-Anne
AU - Janssen, Xanne
AU - Fleming, Leanne
AU - Grealy, Madeleine
AU - Kirk, Alison
AU - Young, David
AU - Flowers, Paul
PY - 2021
DA - August
TI - Sharing positive behavior change made during COVID-19 lockdown: a mixed-methods co-production study
JO - Health Psychology
EP - 665
VL - 40
IS - 10
DO - https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0001130
AB - Objective: The negative consequences of COVID-19 national lockdowns have been well documented, including the worsening of mental health for many, and the amplification of pre-existing inequalities. As a counterpoint, the current study utilises a mixed-methods co-production approach to share psychosocial insights into the adoption of positive changes made during national lockdown in Scotland. The study examined: i) the psychosocial patterning of positive behavior changes, ii) the psychosocial processes by which positive change was realised, and worked with partner organizations to share these insights.  Methods: A sequential mixed-methods design included an online survey (n=2445) assessing positive changes in sleep and physical activity patterns, and the role of socio-demographics, mood, social support, coping, and resilience, with multivariate logistic regression analysis. Interviews were employed with a purposive diverse sub-sample of people self-reporting high levels of positive change (n=48) and used thematic analysis.  Results: The survey identified positive behavior change was significantly patterned by age, gender and vulnerability to COVID-19. Higher levels of positive reframing and active coping in relation to stress were associated with higher levels of positive behavior change. Higher symptoms of depression, planning, and self-distraction were associated with less positive behavior change. Thematic analysis showed the centrality of perceptions of time, opportunities to self-reflect and engage with the natural world, access support in diverse ways, actively build routine and purposefully build self-efficacy and a sense of control were key to initiating positive change.  Conclusions: The current study yields insights into achieving positive behavior change at a time of international crisis.
PB - American Psychological Association
UR - https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/77782/
KW - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
KW - Mental health and wellbeing
ER