Changes in work and life patterns associated with depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational study of health app (CALO mama) users

Abstract

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, many people refrained from going out, started working from home (WFH), and suspended work or lost their jobs. This study examines how such pandemic-related changes in work and life patterns were associated with depressive symptoms.MethodsAn online survey among participants who use a health app called CALO mama was conducted from 30 April to 8 May 2020 in Japan. Participants consisted of 2846 users (1150 men (mean age=50.3) and 1696 women (mean age=43.0)) who were working prior to the government declaration of a state of emergency (7 April 2020). Their daily steps from 1 January to 13 May 2020 recorded by an accelerometer in their mobile devices were linked to their responses. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Two-Question Screen.ResultsOn average, participants took 1143.8 (95% CI −1557.3 to −730.2) fewer weekday steps during the declaration period (from 7 April to 13 May). Depressive symptoms were positively associated with female gender (OR=1.58, 95% CI 1.34 to 1.87), decreased weekday steps (OR=1.22, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.45) and increased working hours (OR=1.73, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.26). Conversely, starting WFH was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (OR=0.83, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.99).ConclusionsDecreased weekday steps during the declaration period were associated with increased odds of depressive symptoms, but WFH may mitigate the risk in the short term. Further studies on the longitudinal effects of WFH on health are needed.

Association between family caregivers and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults in Japan: A cross-sectional study during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…In both the first and second surveys, depressive symptoms were assessed using the Two-Question Screen consisting of the following questions: (1) “During the past month, have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?” and (2) “During the past month, have you often been bothered by little interest or pleasure in doing things?” with possible responses of “Yes” or “No” ( Sato et al., 2021 ; Spitzer et al., 1994 ). Those who answered “Yes” to either or both questions were defined as showing depressive symptoms.…”

Effect of working from home on the association between job demands and psychological distress

“…Irrespective of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers may proactively provide opportunities to work from home to prevent psychological distress among employees. In addition, working from home may reduce the fear of infection at or on the way to work (Nguyen 2021; Sato et al 2021). Our previous study showed that the association between job demands and psychological distress may be strengthened by anxiety about COVID-19 infection in the workplace (Eguchi et al 2020).…”

Effect of Anxiety About COVID-19 Infection in the Workplace on the Association Between Job Demands and Psychological Distress

“…Considering previous findings that the number of workplace measures correlated positively with respondents' fear of and worry about COVID-19 (15), the quality of measures to reduce the fear of infection may be more important than the quantity of measures. Working from home may reduce the fear of infection at or on the way to work (26,27). Furthermore, limiting the frequency and amount of access to television and web-based media to obtain information about COVID-19 may be effective in preventing anxiety about COVID-19 infection (28).…”