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A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Kinesiology & Health Studies, University of Regina. ix, 180 p COVID-induced restrictions may have detrimental effects on the mental and physical health of adolescents, a critical period of rapid growth in both these domains. The purpose of the present study was to assess mental (stress, social isolation) and physical (physical activity, sedentary and screen time, dietary and sleeping patterns) health of youth in grades 7-12 in the Regina and Greater Regina area during the early months (March – August 2020) of the COVID- 19 pandemic and associated restrictions, as well as perceptions of remote learning (March-June 2020) and return to in-person school in September 2020. The study used a cross-sectional study design from data collected between July 25 and September 7, 2020 from an online survey. The survey included COVID-specific mental health questions, globally used questionnaires for physical health (International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]; Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants [REAP]; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]), and a variety of open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze closed-ended survey responses and physical health questionnaires, and multiple linear regression investigated relationships between mental and physical health. Qualitative thematic analysis of open-ended questions regarding physical health (e.g., physical activity, sedentary behaviour, dietary habits and sleeping patterns) was framed using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) model of behaviour change. The sample of 51 participants (age: 14.73±1.72 years) was 64.0% female; six participants participated in the follow-up interview. Overall, COVID-induced restrictions had a moderate negative effect on mental health and created “quite a bit” of stress regarding the future. Physical activity levels and recreational screen time were not in accordance with Canadian guidelines, and mean dietary patterns and sleep quality were “healthy” and “poor,” respectively. Individuals with a higher negative impact on mental health were more likely to have unhealthy dietary patterns and poor sleep quality. Common themes for changes in lifestyle behaviours were “having more time” during school closures that gave opportunities to either engage in physical activity or sedentary behaviour, and the capability to “eat healthier and more frequently” and “make changes to bedtime routines”. Remote school delivery was reportedly “much less enjoyable” compared to in-person classes and participants were mostly excited to return to inperson school in September 2020. Findings from the present pilot study indicate that adolescents in Regina and the Greater Regina area were negatively affected regarding their mental and physical health in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions. Further, remote school delivery was “much less enjoyable” compared to in-person school. These results can be used to design future cross-sectional and longitudinal studies assessing mental and physical health of adolescents in a larger sample size and across different socio-demographics that can be useful for developing interventions and policies promoting mental health and lifestyle behaviours in adolescents. Furthermore, schools should consider modifying remote learning to increase virtual engagement and connectedness for adolescents. Student yes |
