Differences in self-control, self-efficacy and depressive symptoms between active and inactive middle-aged and older adults after 1 year of COVID restrictions

• Published in: Aging & mental health Vol. 27; no. 3; pp. 483 - 488
• Main Authors: Camp, Nicola, Fernandes Ramos, Ana Catarina, Hunter, Kirsty, Boat, Ruth, Magistro, Daniele
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 04.03.2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Active control; Activity level; Adults; Age differences; Aged; Communicable Disease Control; Constrictions; COVID-19; Depression - psychology; depressive symptoms; Effectiveness; Exercise; Geriatric psychiatry; Humans; Leisure; Mental depression; Middle age; Middle Aged; Motivation; Older people; Pandemics; Physical activity; Psychology; quantitative methods and statistics; Responses; Restrictions; Self control; Self Efficacy; Variables; Variance analysis; United Kingdom > UK; Self-control; depressive symptoms; quantitative methods and statistics; motivation; self-efficacy; physical activity
• ISSN: 1360-7863; 1364-6915; 1364-6915
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2022.2046691

The psychological impact of the prolonged lockdown measures in the UK as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic is unclear. Our aim was to determine if there are significant differences in self-control, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms and leisure motivation between UK older adults with differing levels of physical activity, and which of these variables can be used to predict activity level after 1 year of lockdown restrictions, 521 adults aged 50-92 years completed an online survey consisting of several validated measures relating to physical activity, self-control, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and leisure motivation. Participant's responses were grouped into active (≥150minutes activity per week) and inactive (<150minutes activity per week). Data was analysed using ANOVA, Pearson's Correlation and Multiple Regression (forward stepwise). We found significant differences in self-efficacy, self-control, and depressive symptoms between physically active vs inactive subjects. High levels of self-control and self-efficacy were associated with higher levels of activity and fewer depressive symptoms. Self-control, amotivation, depressive symptoms and self-efficacy were predictors of physical activity level. Psychological variables including self-control, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms and amotivation can be used to predict physical activity levels in UK middle-aged and older adults following 1 year of Covid restrictions.