Disruption and adaptation in response to the coronavirus pandemic – Assets as contextual moderators of enactment of health behaviours

Notley, Caitlin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0876-3304, Belderson, Pippa, Hanson, Sarah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4751-8248, Ward, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7579-3215, Brown, Tracey J. and Naughton, Felix and the COVID-19 health behaviour, wellbeing tracker study group (2022) Disruption and adaptation in response to the coronavirus pandemic – Assets as contextual moderators of enactment of health behaviours. British Journal of Health Psychology, 27 (3). pp. 1153-1171. ISSN 1359-107X

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Abstract

Purpose: During the COVID-19 UK first national lockdown (March-July 2020) enactment of healthy behaviours was fundamentally changed due to social restrictions. This study sought to understand perspectives on health behaviour change, as part of a wider study tracking reported health behaviour change over time. Methods: A purposive sample were selected. N=40 qualitative interviews were conducted remotely (phone/video) from participants across England and Wales, and transcribed verbatim. Descriptive case studies were shared at regular analysis meetings. Inductive reflexive thematic coding was undertaken and coding was discussed using a team approach to agreeing analytical codes. A multiple lens theoretical perspective was adopted to illuminate the perceived influences and restrictions on participants reports of health behaviour change. Results: There was a clear progressive narrative for all participants, through initial responses and reactions to the pandemic, framed as ‘disruption’, then, as lockdown was acclimatized to, evidence of ‘adaptation’. Adaptation was seen in terms of modification, substitution, adoption, discontinuation/cessation, stultification, maintenance and recalibration of health behaviours. An illustrative case study exemplifies the narrative encompassing these features and demonstrating the complex non-linear interactions between context and enacted health behaviours. Conclusions: Individuals responded to pandemic related social restrictions in complex ways. Those in contexts with existing social assets, community links and established patterns of healthy behaviours were able to respond positively, adapting by modifying behaviour and using technology to engage in healthy behaviours in new and innovative ways. For those in more vulnerable contexts, enacting (negative) health behaviour change was an expression of frustration at the limitations imposed by social restrictions.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Acknowledgements: This study was funded by the University of East Anglia Impact and innovation funding, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, with additional funding from the UEA Health and Social Care partnership. We sincerely thank all research participants who freely and candidly shared their experiences in reflecting on health behaviour change during the UK covid‐19 lockdowns.
Uncontrolled Keywords: health behaviour change,pandemic response,qualitative research,applied psychology ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3200/3202
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Epidemiology and Public Health
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Public Health and Health Services Research (former - to 2023)
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Promotion
Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Research on Children and Families
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Behavioural and Implementation Science
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health
Related URLs:
Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 09 Mar 2022 09:30
Last Modified: 25 Oct 2023 02:07
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/83943
DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12592

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