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The Relationship between Psychological Stress and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors during COVID-19 among Students in a US Midwest University

Author

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  • Terence Moriarty

    (Department of Kinesiology, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614, USA)

  • Kelsey Bourbeau

    (Department of Kinesiology, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614, USA)

  • Fabio Fontana

    (Department of Kinesiology, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614, USA)

  • Scott McNamara

    (Department of Kinesiology, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614, USA)

  • Michael Pereira da Silva

    (Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande 90040-060, Brazil)

Abstract

The gripping coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has imposed dramatic changes to many areas of daily living in all sectors of society across the world. We examined the relationship between perceived stress and health behaviors among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey with measures of psychological stress, physical activity and exercise, and sleep and social connectedness was distributed in June and July of 2020. The survey was completed by 550 college students (mean age: 21.3 ± 3.8 years, 74.2% female, 94.4% Caucasian). Being female and unemployed and having a lower annual income were significantly associated with higher levels of stress. In addition, regression analysis found that reduced exercise and sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly predicted the levels of stress of participants after controlling for gender, employment status, and annual income. University officials should aim to implement health-promotion strategies directed at preventing reductions in exercise and sleep duration, especially in those at greater risk of increased perceived stress such as females and economically disadvantaged students.

Suggested Citation

  • Terence Moriarty & Kelsey Bourbeau & Fabio Fontana & Scott McNamara & Michael Pereira da Silva, 2021. "The Relationship between Psychological Stress and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors during COVID-19 among Students in a US Midwest University," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4752-:d:546135
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Fabio Fontana & Kelsey Bourbeau & Terence Moriarty & Michael Pereira da Silva, 2022. "The Relationship between Physical Activity, Sleep Quality, and Stress: A Study of Teachers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-9, November.
    2. Irene Zapata & José Luis Maté-Muñoz & Alfonso Higueras & Juan Hernández-Lougedo & Natalia Martín-Fidalgo & Pablo García-Fernández & María Victoria Redondo-Vega & Jaime Ruiz-Tovar, 2022. "Toxic Habits and Well-Being Measures in Spanish Healthcare University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-15, October.
    3. James McMahon & David R. Thompson & Kevin Brazil & Chantal F. Ski, 2022. "Co-Design of an eHealth Intervention to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Male Taxi Drivers: ManGuard," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Alessandra Patrono & Stefano Renzetti & Angela Manco & Paola Brunelli & Stefanny M. Moncada & Mark J. Macgowan & Donatella Placidi & Stefano Calza & Giuseppa Cagna & Matteo Rota & Maurizio Memo & Maur, 2022. "COVID-19 Aftermath: Exploring the Mental Health Emergency among Students at a Northern Italian University," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-16, July.
    5. Shoji Konda & Issei Ogasawara & Kazuki Fujita & Chisa Aoyama & Teruki Yokoyama & Takuya Magome & Chen Yulong & Ken Hashizume & Tomoyuki Matsuo & Ken Nakata, 2022. "Variability in Physical Inactivity Responses of University Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Monitoring of Daily Step Counts Using a Smartphone Application," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-12, February.

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