Lopes, B. and Kamau-MItchell, C. (2024). Anxiety, depression, working from home, and health-related behaviours during COVID-19: structural equation modelling and serial mediation of associations with angina, heart attacks and stroke. Journal of Health Psychology (in press). [FULL TEXT]

2024, Journal of Health Psychology

Based on the vulnerability-stress model and coping theory, this study of 1,920 people in Scotland investigated how sex, age, occupational factors, anxiety, depression, and maladaptive coping behaviours are associated with cardiovascular health. Structural equation modelling and serial Sobel mediation tests were conducted. Anxiety was associated with past arrhythmia, whereas depression was associated with past heart attacks, stroke, and angina. Females reported more anxiety, past arrhythmia, confectionary and alcohol consumption, whereas males had more heart attacks. Confectionary consumption was associated with past arrhythmia, and alcohol consumption was associated with past heart attacks. Being older was associated with depression, past stroke, arrhythmia, and alcohol consumption. Being younger was associated with anxiety and smoking. Depression and smoking mediated the relationship between type of working and cardiovascular health history, potentially because of socioeconomic factors. Clinicians can use these results to advise clients about cardiovascular risks associated with anxiety, depression, demographics, and health-related coping behaviours.