1
|
Moreels T, Cruyt E, De Baets S, Andries L, Arts-Tielemans M, Rodriguez-Bailon M, Bergström A, Boete K, Bormans I, Costa U, Declercq H, Dekelver S, Dekyvere V, Delooz E, Engels C, Helderweirt S, Jarrey M, Lenaerts A, Leyman A, Lim KH, Meynen L, Satink T, Schoenmakers F, Senn D, Slembrouck L, Van Meensel E, Vangenechten D, Van Paepeghem B, De Vriendt P, Van de Velde D. Self-Management Analysis in Chronic Conditions (SMACC) checklist: an international consensus-based tool to develop, compare and evaluate self-management support programmes. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e075676. [PMID: 38128945 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The Self-Management Analysis in Chronic Conditions (SMACC) checklist was developed as a guidance tool to support the development, comparison and evaluation of self-management support programmes for persons with a chronic condition. The checklist was based on a previously performed concept analysis of self-management. The aim of this study was to validate its content using an international Delphi study and to deliver a final version. DESIGN A two-round Delphi study was conducted between October 2022 and January 2023. Using the researchers' networks, professionals with research or clinical expertise in self-management support and chronic conditions were recruited via online purposive snowball sampling. Participants were asked to score each item of the checklist (16 items total) on 3 content validity indicators: (1) clarity and comprehensibility, (2) relevance and importance and (3) degree of alignment with the overall goal of the checklist to promote adequate and comprehensive self-management support programmes. A consensus threshold of 75% agreement was used. The participants were also asked general questions about the checklist as a whole and were asked to provide feedback considering its refinement. RESULTS Fifty-four professionals with an average 14.5 years of experience participated in round 1, 48 with an average 12.5 years of experience participated in round 2. The majority of professionals were from Western Europe. For the majority of items consensus was reached after round 1. In round 2, 3 of the 4 remaining items reached consensus, 1 last item was retained based on highly recurring feedback. CONCLUSIONS The SMACC checklist was considered a valid and comprehensive tool to aid the development, evaluation and comparison of self-management support programmes. It was acknowledged as a useful instrument to supplement existing frameworks and was seen as feasible to implement in both research and clinical settings. Further validation in the field, with input from patients and peer experts, will be valuable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Moreels
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
- Department of Nephrology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ellen Cruyt
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Stijn De Baets
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
- Department of Gerontology and Frailty in Ageing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Lore Andries
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Magelien Arts-Tielemans
- Department of Occupational Therapy, HAN University of Applied Science, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Aileen Bergström
- Karolinska Institutet Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kyara Boete
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Iris Bormans
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Ursula Costa
- Occupational Science, Health University of Applied Science Tyrol, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Hanne Declercq
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Sari Dekelver
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Virginie Dekyvere
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Eva Delooz
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Cynthia Engels
- Clinical Epidemiology and Ageing Unit, Université Paris Est Créteil (UPEC), Créteil, France
| | - Sam Helderweirt
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Mike Jarrey
- Occupational Therapy, Artevelde University College, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anneleen Lenaerts
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Anneleen Leyman
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Kee Hean Lim
- Department of Health Sciences, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, London, UK
| | - Louise Meynen
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Ton Satink
- Department of Occupational Therapy, HAN University of Applied Science, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Daniela Senn
- Occupational Therapy, ZHAW School of Health Professions, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Lise Slembrouck
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Emma Van Meensel
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Dani Vangenechten
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | | | - Patricia De Vriendt
- Department of Gerontology and Frailty in Ageing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
- Occupational Therapy, Artevelde University College, Ghent, Belgium
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cruyt E, De Vriendt P, De Geyter N, Van Leirsberghe J, Santens P, De Baets S, De Letter M, Vlerick P, Calders P, De Pauw R, Oostra K, Van de Velde D. The underpinning of meaningful activities by brain correlates: a systematic review. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1136754. [PMID: 37179882 PMCID: PMC10169732 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1136754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Engaging in meaningful activities contributes to health and wellbeing. Research identifies meaningfulness by analysing retrospective and subjective data such as personal experiences in activities. Objectively measuring meaningful activities by registering the brain (fNIRS, EEG, PET, fMRI) remains poorly investigated. Methods A systematic review using PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. Findings Thirty-one studies investigating the correlations between daily activities in adults, their degree of meaningfulness for the participant, and the brain areas involved, were identified. The activities could be classified according to the degree of meaningfulness, using the attributes of meaningfulness described in the literature. Eleven study activities contained all attributes, which means that these can be assumed to be meaningful for the participant. Brain areas involved in these activities were generally related to emotional and affective processing, motivation, and reward. Conclusion Although it is demonstrated that neural correlates of meaningful activities can be measured objectively by neurophysiological registration techniques, "meaning" as such has not yet been investigated explicitly. Further neurophysiological research for objective monitoring of meaningful activities is recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Cruyt
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Research Group, Physiotherapy and Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Patricia De Vriendt
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Research Group, Physiotherapy and Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, Ghent, Belgium
- Mental Health Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Frailty in Ageing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nele De Geyter
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Research Group, Physiotherapy and Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Janne Van Leirsberghe
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Research Group, Physiotherapy and Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Patrick Santens
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stijn De Baets
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Research Group, Physiotherapy and Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Frailty in Ageing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Miet De Letter
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Research Group, Physiotherapy and Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Vlerick
- Department of Work, Organization and Society, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Patrick Calders
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Research Group, Physiotherapy and Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Robby De Pauw
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Research Group, Physiotherapy and Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Lifestyle and Chronic Diseases, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kristine Oostra
- Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dominique Van de Velde
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Research Group, Physiotherapy and Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
De Baets S, Cruyt E, Calders P, Dewandele I, Malfait F, Vanderstraeten G, Van Hove G, van De Velde D. Societal participation in ehlers-danlos syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorder, compared to fibromyalgia and healthy controls. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269608. [PMID: 35709306 PMCID: PMC9202833 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder affect daily life. There is a lack of research that investigates how the disease affects aspects of participation. This study investigates whether there is a difference in the level of participation in society in persons with vascular EDS (N = 18), hypermobile EDS (N = 20), classical EDS (N = 4) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (N = 27), compared to a healthy control group (N = 69) and fibromyalgia (N = 69). In this retrospective case-control study, the Ghent Participation Scale was completed by all participants. Each patient with EDS and HSD was matched by age and sex to healthy controls. The hEDS and HSD group were compared with the healthy control group and a positive control group (persons with fibromyalgia). The results show that there was a significant lower overall participation score for persons with hEDS/HSD compared to the healthy control group. In addition, significant differences were observed in the subscores self-performed activities and delegated activities in the hEDS/HSD group compared to healthy controls, being HEDS/HSD patients who obtained the lower scores. Further research is needed to obtain representative results of the participation level for the EDS/HSD population. In this way, interventions can be set up for patients with EDS in an evidence-based way and that are appropriate to the patient’s level of participation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stijn De Baets
- Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy Program, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Ellen Cruyt
- Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy Program, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Patrick Calders
- Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Inge Dewandele
- Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fransiska Malfait
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guy Vanderstraeten
- Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert Van Hove
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Special Needs Education, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dominique van De Velde
- Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy Program, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vriendt PD, Cruyt E, Van de Velde D. Loss of meaning in activities during Covid-19 lockdown and association with low mental health in Belgian adults 50+. Eur J Public Health 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab164.793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Engagement in meaningful activities (MA) is significantly associated with morbidity, mental health and mortality, regardless age. However, it is known that a gender difference occurs in daily activities: men choose significantly more for leisure activities, work or study, while women opt more for domestic work and social activities. During the covid-19 lockdown, it can be expected that men and women experience the severe restrictions differently. In this study we wanted to identify differences regarding restriction in MA and mental health in particular for men and women 50 y and older.
Methods
In Belgium, strict measures were imposed between March 13 and May 4th. During this lockdown, a large-scale web-survey with more than 2000 Belgian respondents, has been carried out. In total, 420 people 50+ participated (237 women/183 men).
Results
The lockdown had a major impact on the daily activities and mental health of everyone, but slightly more on those of women 50+. They scored significantly lower in engaging in MA as measured by the Engagement in Meaningful Activities Scale (EMAS) (31.36; sd 7.09 versus 33.78; sd 6.35; p.001) and experienced worse mental health measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) (13.80; sd 6.70 versus 11.59; sd 5.87; p<.000) than men 50+. The correlation between EMAS en GHQ was respectively .510 and .540 (p <.000). The MA women attach more importance to could no longer be continued while the typical male activities still could be practiced (even more). Moreover, the daily caring activities, in which women are already more active anyway, interfered much more with the other activities than usual.
Conclusions
The extent to which activities remained meaningful during the lockdown was crucial. It was obvious that 50-+ women found less meaning in their activities during corona and experienced less mental health. Subsequently, women 50+ turned out to be slightly more vulnerable than men 50+ during the Covid-19 crisis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P De Vriendt
- Mental Health and Wellbeing and Frailty in Ageing Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Artevelde University College, Ghent, Belgium
| | - E Cruyt
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - D Van de Velde
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Artevelde University College, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cruyt E, Van de Velde D, De Vriendt P, Vlerick P, De Letter M, Oostra K, Calders P, De Pauw R. Meaningful activities during COVID-19 lockdown and association with mental health in Belgian adults. Eur J Public Health 2021. [PMCID: PMC8574236 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab165.576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The spread of COVID-19 has affected people's daily lives, and the lockdown may have led to a disruption of daily activities and a decrease of people's mental health.
Aim
To identify correlates of adults' mental health during the COVID-19 lockdown in Belgium and to assess the role of meaningful activities in particular.
Methods
A cross-sectional web survey for assessing mental health (General Health Questionnaire), resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale), meaning in activities (Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey), and demographics was conducted during the first Belgian lockdown between April 24 and May 4, 2020. The lockdown consisted of closing schools, non-essential shops, and recreational settings, employees worked from home or were technically unemployed, and it was forbidden to undertake social activities. Every adult who had access to the internet and lived in Belgium could participate in the survey; respondents were recruited online through social media and e-mails. Hierarchical linear regression was used to identify key correlates.
Results
Participants (N = 1781) reported low mental health (M = 14.85/36). In total, 42.4% of the variance in mental health could be explained by variables such as gender, having children, living space, marital status, health condition, and resilience (β= -.33). Loss of meaningful activities was strongly related to mental health (β= -.36) and explained 9% incremental variance (R2 change= .092, p<.001) above control variables.
Conclusions
The extent of performing meaningful activities during the COVID-19 lockdown in Belgium was positively related to adults' mental health. Insights from this study can be taken into account during future lockdown measures in case of pandemics.
Key messages
Performing meaningful activities during COVID-19 lockdown contributes to better mental health. The lockdown has led to a disruption of daily activities and a decrease of people’s mental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Cruyt
- Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - D Van de Velde
- Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - P De Vriendt
- Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- Mental Health Research Group, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
- Occupational Therapy, Artevelde, Ghent, Belgium
| | - P Vlerick
- Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - M De Letter
- Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - K Oostra
- Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - P Calders
- Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - R De Pauw
- Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cruyt E, De Vriendt P, De Letter M, Vlerick P, Calders P, De Pauw R, Oostra K, Rodriguez-Bailón M, Szmalec A, Merchán-Baeza JA, Fernández-Solano AJ, Vidaña-Moya L, Van de Velde D. Correction to: Meaningful activities during COVID-19 lockdown and association with mental health in Belgian adults. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1680. [PMID: 34526010 PMCID: PMC8442513 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11699-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Cruyt
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech-language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B3, entrance 46, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Patricia De Vriendt
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech-language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B3, entrance 46, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Occupational Therapy, Artevelde University College, Ghent, Belgium.,Mental Health Research group, Frailty in Ageing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Miet De Letter
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech-language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B3, entrance 46, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Vlerick
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Work, Organization and Society, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Patrick Calders
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech-language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B3, entrance 46, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Robby De Pauw
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech-language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B3, entrance 46, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kristine Oostra
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech-language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B3, entrance 46, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Arnaud Szmalec
- Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.,Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jose Antonio Merchán-Baeza
- Research group on Methodology, Methods, Models and Outcomes of Health and Social Sciences (M3O), Faculty of Health Science and Welfare, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVIC-UCC), 08500, Vic, Spain
| | - Ana Judit Fernández-Solano
- Department of Occupational Therapy. School of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Laura Vidaña-Moya
- Research Group GrEUIT, Escola Universitària d'Infermeria i Teràpia Ocupacional de Terrassa (EUIT), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Terrassa, Spain
| | - Dominique Van de Velde
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech-language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B3, entrance 46, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cruyt E, De Vriendt P, De Letter M, Vlerick P, Calders P, De Pauw R, Oostra K, Rodriguez-Bailón M, Szmalec A, Merchán-Baeza JA, Fernández-Solano AJ, Vidaña-Moya L, Van de Velde D. Meaningful activities during COVID-19 lockdown and association with mental health in Belgian adults. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:622. [PMID: 33785029 PMCID: PMC8009071 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10673-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The spread of COVID-19 has affected people's daily lives, and the lockdown may have led to a disruption of daily activities and a decrease of people's mental health. AIM To identify correlates of adults' mental health during the COVID-19 lockdown in Belgium and to assess the role of meaningful activities in particular. METHODS A cross-sectional web survey for assessing mental health (General Health Questionnaire), resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale), meaning in activities (Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey), and demographics was conducted during the first Belgian lockdown between April 24 and May 4, 2020. The lockdown consisted of closing schools, non-essential shops, and recreational settings, employees worked from home or were technically unemployed, and it was forbidden to undertake social activities. Every adult who had access to the internet and lived in Belgium could participate in the survey; respondents were recruited online through social media and e-mails. Hierarchical linear regression was used to identify key correlates. RESULTS Participants (N = 1781) reported low mental health (M = 14.85/36). In total, 42.4% of the variance in mental health could be explained by variables such as gender, having children, living space, marital status, health condition, and resilience (β = -.33). Loss of meaningful activities was strongly related to mental health (β = -.36) and explained 9% incremental variance (R2 change = .092, p < .001) above control variables. CONCLUSIONS The extent of performing meaningful activities during the COVID-19 lockdown in Belgium was positively related to adults' mental health. Insights from this study can be taken into account during future lockdown measures in case of pandemics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Cruyt
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech-language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B3, entrance 46, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Patricia De Vriendt
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech-language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B3, entrance 46, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Artevelde University College, Ghent, Belgium
- Mental Health Research group, Frailty in Ageing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Miet De Letter
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech-language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B3, entrance 46, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Vlerick
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Work, Organization and Society, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Patrick Calders
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech-language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B3, entrance 46, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Robby De Pauw
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech-language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B3, entrance 46, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kristine Oostra
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech-language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B3, entrance 46, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Arnaud Szmalec
- Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jose Antonio Merchán-Baeza
- Research group on Methodology, Methods, Models and Outcomes of Health and Social Sciences (M3O), Faculty of Health Science and Welfare, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVIC-UCC), 08500, Vic, Spain
| | - Ana Judit Fernández-Solano
- Department of Occupational Therapy. School of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Laura Vidaña-Moya
- Research Group GrEUIT, Escola Universitària d'Infermeria i Teràpia Ocupacional de Terrassa (EUIT), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Terrassa, Spain
| | - Dominique Van de Velde
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech-language Pathology/Audiology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B3, entrance 46, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|