Public asked to participate in self-isolation research

Published: 26 March 2020 at 15:53

A depiction of the COVID-19 virus

ARU study is investigating the wider health and wellbeing implications of COVID-19

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and Ulster University are conducting research to determine the public health implications of COVID-19, specifically how self-isolation is affecting the health and behaviour of UK residents.

Anyone aged 18 or over and who is self-isolating during the COVID-19 outbreak is able to support the research by completing a short survey. The research is focusing on how individuals are adapting their behaviour, such as changes to their diet, levels of exercise, and smoking and drinking habits.

Dr Lee Smith, Reader in Public Health at ARU, said:

“During this global pandemic, it is important to investigate the impact of self-isolation on health, behaviour and wellbeing. 

“This will help us to understand the health implications of this current outbreak, separate to the effects of COVID-19 itself, and ensure that governments and health bodies are better informed if a similar event was to happen in the future.
 
“Anyone in the UK aged 18 or over and is self-isolating is able to take part. This includes individuals who are self-isolating after displaying symptoms of coronavirus infection, people who are self-isolating due to their age or underlying medical conditions, as well as anyone in the wider community who is no longer travelling to work due to recent social distancing restrictions.”

The research, which involves a simple online questionnaire, takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. The questionnaire can be accessed at https://angliaruskin.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/effect-of-covid-19corona-virus-associated-self-isolation.

Lead researcher Dr Lee Smith can be contacted at [email protected]



Coronavirus research at ARU

We've responded to the coronavirus pandemic by leading research projects into health, wellbeing and interventions. Read more about the work of our Covid-19 Research Group.


Reader in Physical Activity and Public Health at ARU, Dr Lee Smith, has been leading research on COVID-19's impact on behaviour and mental health. Read more about Dr Smith's COVID-19 and wellbeing research group.