Relationship between personality, adherence to (mental) health behaviours and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. (1st June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pereira, A.T.; Cabacos, C.; Soares, S.; Araújo, A.; Manão, A.; Amaral, A.P.; Sousa, R.; Macedo, A.
• Is Part Of: European psychiatry. Volume 65:Supplement 1(2022)
• Page Start: S499
• Page End: S500
• Publication Date: 2022-06-01
• Subjects: Covid-19 -- Adherence (to the Recommendations for Mental Health -- personality; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.1270
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0924-9338

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Public health authorities around the world have been disseminating messages to support mental health and psychosocial well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the Portuguese guidelines, we have developed the Adherence Scale to the Recommendations for Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic (ASR-MH-COVID19) to better understand this health behaviour. Objectives: To analyse the relationship between sociodemographics, personality traits, Adherence (to the Recommendations for Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic) and psychological distress. Methods: 413 individuals (69.2% female; mean age=31.02±14, 272) completed an on-line survey, in September-December 2020, including sociodemographic questions, ASR-MH-COVID19, NEO-FFI-20 and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Health Perception Scale. Results: Adherence scores did not significantly differ by gender, age and years of education. Women presented higher DASS and Neuroticism scores (p<.01). Adherence were negatively correlated with Neuroticism (r=-.247) and with Depression/Anxiety/Stress (all r».-200), positively with Openness to Experience (r=.174), Conscientiousness (r=.194) and Perceived Health (Physical, r=.173 and Psychological, r=.215) (all p<.01). Mediation analysis (Hays' Macro Process - Model 4) revealed that Adherence is a partial mediator between Openness and DASS and Conscientiousness and DASS; when considering Neuroticism, only the direct effect was significant. The effect of Perceived Health (both Physical and Psychological) on DASS was also mediated by Adherence. Conclusions: The Health Behaviour Model proposes a pathway linking personality and health that applies to these results about adherence and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Personality and perceived health (also a trait) influence both adherence to mental health behaviours and psychological distress. Understanding personality is vital for health care providers. Disclosure: No significant relationships.