COVID-19 Home Confinement Negatively Impacts Social Participation and Life Satisfaction: A Worldwide Multicenter Study

Abstract

Public health recommendations and governmental measures during the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic have enforced numerous restrictions on daily living including social distancing, isolation, and home confinement. While these measures are imperative to mitigate spreading of COVID-19, the impact of these restrictions on psychosocial health is undefined. Therefore, an international online survey was launched in April 2020 to elucidate the behavioral and lifestyle consequences of COVID-19 restrictions. This report presents the preliminary results from more than one thousand responders on social participation and life satisfaction. Methods: Thirty-five research organizations from Europe, North-Africa, Western Asia, and the Americas promoted the survey through their networks to the general society, in 7 languages (English, German, French, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, and Slovenian). Questions were presented in a differential format with questions related to responses “before” and “during” confinement conditions. Results: 1047 participations (54% women) from Asia (36%), Africa (40%), Europe (21%), and others (3%) were included in the analysis. Findings revealed psychosocial strain during the enforced COVID-19 home confinement. Large decreases (p < 0.001) in the amount of social activity through family (−58%), friends/neighbors (−44.9%), or entertainment (−46.7%) were triggered by the enforced confinement. These negative effects on social participation were also associated with lower life satisfaction (−30.5%) during the confinement period. Conversely, the social contact score through digital technologies significantly increased (p < 0.001) during the confinement period with more individuals (+24.8%) being socially connected through digital technology. Conclusion: These preliminary findings elucidate the risk of psychosocial strain during the early COVID-19 home confinement period in 2020. Therefore, in order to mitigate the negative psychosocial effects of home confinement, implementation of national strategies focused on promoting social inclusion through a technology-based solution is strongly suggested.

Informal Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Perceive Additional Burden: Findings From an Ad-hoc Survey in Germany

“…Additionally, informal caregivers of persons with dementia who are more concerned about the pandemic were more likely to experience an overload or distress regarding to their role as caregiver [15]. A multicenter online survey regarding psychosocial consequences due to the COVID-19 restrictions (ECLB-COVID19) [20] also con rmed earlier ndings from before the pandemic, that informal caregivers have a higher burden regarding mental and physical health. The results also point out that their wellbeing and depression signi cantly worsened during lockdown compared to non-caregivers [18].…”

The Impact of COVID-19 on Women’s Physical Activity Behavior and Mental Well-Being

“…Specific physical activity programming that is inclusive of lifestyle physical activity and can engage children or provide support and opportunity for physical activity engagement is encouraged. Additionally, the use of digital technology may reduce the psychosocial strain of home confinement [4,5] by providing opportunity to engage in socially supportive physical activity. Future research should assess the long-term impact of the pandemic on women's physical activity and associated mental well-being as well objective measurement of physical activity.…”

“…A global pandemic was declared in March of 2020 due to coronavirus 19 (COVID-19), a potentially fatal respiratory virus, with the first cases reported in Wuhan, China. As well as the direct impact of the disease, there may be unintended negative health consequences due to public health restrictions such as reduced health-promoting behaviors and increased mental duress [1][2][3][4] due to social confinement [4,5]. Additionally, women may be disproportionately affected by the negative consequences of COVID-19 restrictions as they make up 70% of health and social-service workers worldwide [6] and are more likely to be in retail and service jobs.…”

COVID-19 Lockdown and Lifestyles – A Narrative Review

“…Restriction of movement during the pandemic has led to significant reduction in social activity among family, friends/neighbors, and for entertainment 62,63 . This reduction contributed to diminished life satisfaction in over 30% of participants in a large, multi-continent study involving 1,047 participants 63 . Prolonged social media use has had a deleterious effect on the overall social well-being of individuals as reported by a study in Saudi Arabia 62 .…”