PropertyValue
?:abstract
  • BACKGROUND: There is some evidence that loneliness may be linked to poorer health behaviours. Despite this, there has been little research to date on the relationship between loneliness and COVID-19 preventive behaviours. We studied these associations in a sample of the Japanese population. METHODS: Data were analysed from an online survey of 2000 adults undertaken in April and May 2020. Loneliness was assessed with the Three-Item Loneliness Scale. Information was also collected on 13 COVID-19 preventive behaviours. Regression analyses were used to examine associations. RESULTS: In linear regression models adjusted for demographic and mental health variables, both dichotomous and continuous loneliness measures were negatively associated with engaging in COVID-19 preventive behaviours. Logistic regression analyses further showed that loneliness was also associated with reduced odds for a variety of individual preventive behaviours including wearing a mask (odds ratio [OR]: 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62–0.95), disinfecting hands (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67–0.94) and social distancing when outdoors (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61–0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Loneliness is associated with lower engagement in COVID-19 preventive behaviours. Interventions to prevent or ameliorate loneliness during the ongoing pandemic may be important in combating the spread of the coronavirus.
?:creator
?:doi
  • 10.1093/pubmed/fdaa151
?:doi
?:journal
  • J_Public_Health_(Oxf)
?:license
  • no-cc
?:pdf_json_files
  • document_parses/pdf_json/510820e36d0e35fb582515e94e53b6080ad8b240.json
?:pmc_json_files
  • document_parses/pmc_json/PMC7499629.xml.json
?:pmcid
?:pmid
?:pmid
  • 32880635.0
?:publication_isRelatedTo_Disease
?:sha_id
?:source
  • Medline; PMC
?:title
  • Loneliness and COVID-19 preventive behaviours among Japanese adults
?:type
?:year
  • 2020-09-03

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