At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, digital devices were used for entertainment purposes, such as watching television, movies, and series through streaming services (e.g., Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO). In general, research indicates an increase in the amount of self-reported screen time using technological devices. Other studies have analyzed the effects of the pandemic in other leisure behaviors including the use of social media and technological devices. with 1114 people, results showed an increase of sedentary behavior and decreased physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, in a study in Qatar carried out by Hermassi et al. in Kuwait, results indicated that around 34% of the sample exercised more irregularly than before the COVID-19 outbreak and only half (48.8%) reported exercising for at least 30 minutes three or more days a week. Research in other countries has shown similar results. In addition, the authors reported correlations between decreased physical activity, higher screen time, and higher depressive symptoms, loneliness, stress, and lower positive mental health. found a reduction in the weekly physical activity levels among those who reported being physically active prior to the pandemic, whereas it remained unchanged for those who were not physically active. In another study with 3052 US participants, Meyer et al. However, they did not find differences in the levels of physical activity. using a sample of 2303 US adults, the authors found that participants whose employment status changed due to COVID-19 (i.e., those who worked from home, or lost their job), reported higher sedentary behavior and screen time. Research related to the effects of COVID-19 on people’s lifestyle is still in its initial stages.
Nevertheless, further research is needed to validate the direction of the associations found in this study. Overall, results indicate that self-esteem is a relevant psychological factor to consider in the development of psychological interventions directed at promoting healthy lifestyles. Our model indicated that psychological factors significantly predicted the amount of time spent in leisure activities and satisfaction. Structural equation modeling was used to test the direct and indirect effects of the psychological variables on satisfaction variables mediated by the time engaged in leisure activities. The analyses were conducted using the responses of 9500 persons (65.95% women, 34.05% men). Data for this article were retrieved as part of a cross-sectional international study conducted in eleven Spanish-speaking countries between March and September 2020. This study aimed to analyze the effects of several psychological factors (self-esteem, self-control, and emotional stability) over lifestyle-related variables (time spent on leisure activities) and the levels of satisfaction (family, friends, work, and leisure satisfaction) experienced during the COVID-19 outbreak. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of millions of people worldwide.