Relationships between Physical and Social Behavioural Changes and the Mental Status of Homebound Residents in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

In Hong Kong, social distancing has been adopted in order to minimise the spread of COVID-19. This study aims to examine the changes in physical health, mental health, and social well-being experienced by local residents who were homebound during the pandemic. An online questionnaire in both Chinese and English versions was completed by 590 eligible participants from 24 April to 13 May 2020. The questionnaire found that individuals aged 18 to 25 years spent more time resting and relaxing but experienced more physical strain. Working status was associated with social contact, with participants working full-time jobs scoring higher in “maintaining social communication via electronic means” and “avoiding social activities outside the home”. Additionally, approximately one third of the participants (29.7%) had moderate to severe depression, and participants aged 18 to 25 were found to have higher scores in PHQ-9. Changes in physical health and social contact were significantly associated with developing depressive symptoms. From the results, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to exert a negative impact on the mental health status of individuals.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults: Rapid Review

“…Moreover, 15 (11.1%) studies included persons with specific conditions such as Alzheimer disease [ 33 - 35 ], Parkinson disease [ 36 ], frontotemporal lobar degeneration [ 37 ], severe cognitive impairments [ 38 ], ovarian cancer [ 39 ], gynecological cancer [ 40 ], patients with cancer actively treated with systemic therapy [ 41 ], pre-existing depression [ 42 ], chronic conditions [ 43 ], long-term respiratory conditions [ 44 ], migraine [ 45 ], epilepsy [ 46 ], and visual impairments [ 47 ]. A total of 29 (21.5%) studies were conducted in North America [ 40 , 42 , 43 , 48 - 73 ], 14 (10.3%) in China [ 46 , 74 - 86 ], 61 (45.1%) in Europe [ 33 - 38 , 41 , 44 , 87 - 139 ], 3 (2.2%) in Japan [ 140 - 142 ], 4 (3.0%) in Israel [ 143 - 146 ], 4 (3.0%) in Brazil [ 147 - 150 ], 4 (3.0%) in Australia [ 151 - 154 ], 2 (1.5%) in India [ 155 , 156 ], 1 (0.7%) in Malaysia [ 157 ], 2 (1.5%) in Kuwait [ 45 , 158 ], 1 (0.7%) in Saudi Arabia [ 159 ], 3 (2.2%) in Argentina [ 160 - 162 ], 1 (0.7%) in Cameroon [ 163 ], 1 (0.7%) in Russia [ 164 ], 1 (0.7%) in Ghana [ 47 ], 1 (0.7% in Cyprus [ 165 ], and 3 (2.2%) in multiple countries [ 39 , 166 , 167 ].…”

“…Older adults reported a presence or worsening of psychological symptoms, and greater loneliness because of pandemic-related social isolation [ 33 , 38 , 47 , 49 , 51 , 52 , 56 , 57 , 62 , 63 , 77 , 78 , 84 , 89 , 90 , 99 , 105 , 114 , 117 , 128 , 135 , 139 , 140 , 148 , 156 , 160 ]. Compared to younger age, older age (ie, ≥60 years) was, however, associated with fewer psychological symptoms [ 39 , 44 , 50 , 54 , 57 , 59 , 64 - 67 , 74 , 77 , 89 , 95 , 97 , 98 , 101 , 107 , 109 , 111 , 114 , 116 , 120 , 121 , 124 , 125 , 127 , 136 , 138 , 147 , 151 , 153 , 157 , 158 , 161 , 162 , 165 ], lower loneliness [ 92 , 95 , …”

“…A study indicated that a lot of time was spent learning about COVID-19 [ 87 ], and more time was spent using social media [ 56 ], internet [ 144 ], and electronic products [ 150 ]. One study reported a higher usage of electronic products by older people [ 149 ], whereas others reported contrasting findings [ 74 , 81 ]. Participants felt blessed , lucky , and fortunate to be able to stay in contact with others through social media [ 91 ].…”

One Year of Evidence on Mental Health Disorders in China during the COVID-19 Crisis - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…We also emailed the authors of 43 articles that missed critical information and were able to get the information to include 10 additional studies. Altogether, the process generated 131 articles for this meta-analysis (An et al, 2020; Ben-Ezra et al; Cai et al; Cao et al, 2020; Chen et al; Chen et al; Chen et al; Chen et al; Chen et al, 2020; Cheng et al; Choi et al; Dai, 2020; Dong et al, 2020; Du et al, 2020; Elhai et al, 2020; Fang et al, 2020; Feng et al, 2020; Fong et al, 2020; Fu et al, 2020; Gao, 2020; Guo et al, 2020; Guo, 2020; Han et al, 2020; Hong et al, 2020; Hou et al, 2020; Hu et al, 2020a; Hu et al, 2020b; Huang et al, 2020a; Huang et al, 2020c; Huang et al, 2020d; Jin et al, 2020; Juan et al, 2020; Lai et al, 2020; Lam et al, 2020; Lei et al, 2020; Leng et al, 2020; Li; Li et al, 2020a; Li et al, 2020b; Li et al, 2020c; Li, 2020a; Li et al, 2020d; Li et al, 2020e; Li, 2020b; Li et al, 2020f; Li et al, 2020g; Liang et al, 2020; Lin et al, 2020a; Lin et al, 2020b; Liu, 2020; Liu, in press; Liu et al, 2020a; Liu et al, 2020b; Liu et al, 2020c; Liu et al, 2020d; Liu et al, 2020e; Liu et al, 2020f; Lu et al, 2020a; Lu et al, 2020b; Lu et al, 2020c; Mi et al, 2020; Ni et al, 2020a; Ni et al, 2020b; Ning et al, 2020; Pan et al, 2020a; Pan et al, 2020b; Qi, 2020; Qian et al, 2020; Qian, 2020; Qiu et al, 2020; Que et al, 2020; Ren et al, 2020b; Shi et al, 2020; Si et al, 2020; Song et al, 2020; Song, 2020; Su et al, 2020; Sun et al, 2020a; Sun, 2020; Sun et al, 2020b; Sun et al, 2020c; Tan et al, 2020; Teng et al, 2020; Tu et al, 2020; Wang et al, 2020a;…”

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults: Rapid Review (Preprint)

“…A study indicated that a lot of time was spent learning about COVID-19 [87], and more time was spent using social media [56], internet [144], and electronic products [150]. One study reported a higher usage of electronic products by older people [149], whereas others reported contrasting findings [74,81]. Participants felt blessed, lucky, and fortunate to be able to stay in contact with others through social media [91].…”