Adult quality of life patterns and trajectories during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany

Abstract

Early investigations of subjective well-being responses to the COVID-19 pandemic indicated average deterioration but also high variability related to vulnerability of population groups and pandemic phase. Thus, we aimed to gain new insights into the characteristics of certain groups and their differences in subjective well-being response patterns over time. First, we performed Latent Class Analyses with baseline survey data of 2,137 adults (mean age = 40.98, SD = 13.62) derived from the German CORONA HEALTH APP Study to identify subgroups showing similarity of a comprehensive set of 50 risk and protective factors. Next, we investigated the course of quality of life (QoL) as an indicator of subjective well-being grouped by the identified latent classes from July 2020 to July 2021 based on monthly and pandemic phase averaged follow-up survey data by means of Linear Mixed-Effects Regression Modeling. We identified 4 latent classes with distinct indicators and QoL trajectories (resilient, recovering, delayed, chronic) similar to previous evidence on responses to stressful life events. About 2 out of 5 people showed a resilient (i.e., relative stability) or recovering pattern (i.e., approaching pre-pandemic levels) over time. Absence of depressive symptoms, distress, needs or unhealthy behaviors and presence of adaptive coping, openness, good family climate and positive social experience were indicative of a resilient response pattern during the COVID-19 pandemic. The presented results add knowledge on how to adapt and enhance preparedness to future pandemic situations or similar societal crises by promoting adaptive coping, positive thinking and solidary strategies or timely low-threshold support offers.

Fatigue, Depression and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Post-Myocardial Infarction during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from the Augsburg Myocardial Infarction Registry

“…Comparisons with previous literature and comparable studies on AMI patients before the pandemic are difficult, as similar studies are unavailable. A population-based German study covering roughly the same period showed that the actual HRQoL was slightly lower than German adult normative values from 2004 [51]. In line with other studies [52], one could conclude that the COVID-19 pandemic may not have manifested in substantial average HRQoL change or affected adult HRQoL levels equally.…”

A study on optimism as a psychological strength in nurses through a prospective study from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic to two years later

“…Studies have found, specifically in working mothers, that resilience plays the role of mediator between openness to experience and well-being ( Uysal Irak et al 2022 ). During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was found that the presence of adaptive coping, openness, good family climate and positive social experiences were indicative of a resilient response pattern ( Cohrdes et al 2022 ). However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have been carried out specifically linking openness to experience with hardiness in explaining optimism in a prospective design such as the one proposed in our model.…”

“…The few studies carried out with this trait in the pandemic seem to support this hypothesis. Its role as a risk factor in adherence to confinement measures ( Staneva et al 2022 ) or its role as a protective factor linked to a positive attitude towards vaccination ( Umucu et al 2022 ) and in general with greater resilience and emotional regulation ( Cohrdes et al, 2022 ; Drake et al 2022 ). Although more research is necessary in this regard, previous literature insists on the need to attend to the different components involved in openness to experience to understand its relationships with other concepts ( Connelly et al 2014 ).…”

“…In the general population, in global terms, openness has been shown to be a protective variable. Although in the early stages of COVID-19 (specifically during confinement), it has acted as a risk factor ( Staneva et al 2022 ), whilst in later stages it has been associated with protective health behaviors (such as a positive attitude towards vaccination) ( Umucu et al 2022 ) and in general with greater resilience and emotional regulation ( Cohrdes et al 2022 ; Drake et al 2022 ).…”

Directed content analysis: A life course approach to understanding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic with implications for public health and social service policy

“…A German study exploring adolescent well-being and transitions to post-secondary education [30] explored the impact of the pandemic on mental health, educational and career plans. A second identified the importance of social relationships and coping skills on adult quality of life [31] and made recommendations to mitigate the effects of these for future pandemics. A third study in pre-publication explores the concept of self-efficacy and valence as it pertains to life satisfaction [32].…”