Mental well-being profiles and physical activity in times of social isolation by the COVID-19: a latent class analysis

ABSTRACT

The aim was to identify mental well-being profiles emerged during the COVID-19 home isolation. Given the multifaceted and multidirectionality of mental well-being, depressive symptoms, affect and resilience were selected as factors (indicators) and gender, age, Body Mass Index and physical activity as correlates. A second goal was to uncover the connections between these profiles and physical activity practice. 2423 Spanish citizens (870 males, 1553 females), age range 16–88 years, participated. They answered an online questionnaire released one week after the shelter-at-home health order (14 March 2020), and data were collected during one full week (21–28 March 2020). Latent class analyses showed three mental well-being profiles: High: Class 3, 22.1% population, 40–54 years, men=women, normal weight, significantly lower depressive symptoms and negative affect, and higher resilience. Low: Class 1, 18.7% population, 40 years, more females, intermediate levels in all variables. Results also showed that more individuals in the High group performed physical activity prior to the confinement (81.1%), significantly more vigorous and moderate physical activity during the isolation and met WHO recommendations on physical activity practice (60%). On the contrary, in the Low group, fewer individuals performed physical activity prior to the confinement (69.6%), significantly less vigorous and moderate physical activity during the isolation and met WHO recommendations (30.5%). Conclusion, resilience and physical activity seemed to act as “protective elements” in stressful situations. They should be promoted.

KEYWORDS:

• Depression
• affect
• resilience
• exercise

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).