Lockdown Lives: A Longitudinal Study of Inter-Relationships Among Feelings of Loneliness, Social Contacts, and Solidarity During the COVID-19 Lockdown in Early 2020

Abstract

We examine how social contacts and feelings of solidarity shape experiences of loneliness during the COVID-19 lockdown in early 2020. From the PsyCorona database, we obtained longitudinal data from 23 countries, collected between March and May 2020. The results demonstrated that although online contacts help to reduce feelings of loneliness, people who feel more lonely are less likely to use that strategy. Solidarity played only a small role in shaping feelings of loneliness during lockdown. Thus, it seems we must look beyond the current focus on online contact and solidarity to help people address feelings of loneliness during lockdown. Finally, online contacts did not function as a substitute for face-to-face contacts outside the home—in fact, more frequent online contact in earlier weeks predicted more frequent face-to-face contacts in later weeks. As such, this work provides relevant insights into how individuals manage the impact of restrictions on their social lives.

The global evolution of mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies

“…In total, 8 studies reported loneliness means (Ahrens et al, n.d.; Fanari and Segrin, 2021 ; Groarke et al, 2021 ; Lee et al, 2020 ; Rumas et al, 2021 ; Saidur et al, 2021 ; Stevenson and Wakefield, 2021 ; van Breen et al, 2021 ). One study of reported the mean of loneliness in 23 countries( van Breen et al, 2021 ).…”

“…In total, 8 studies reported loneliness means (Ahrens et al, n.d.; Fanari and Segrin, 2021 ; Groarke et al, 2021 ; Lee et al, 2020 ; Rumas et al, 2021 ; Saidur et al, 2021 ; Stevenson and Wakefield, 2021 ; van Breen et al, 2021 ). One study of reported the mean of loneliness in 23 countries( van Breen et al, 2021 ). Five studies reported the means in two waves, one paper reported it in three waves, one study reported the means in 8 waves, and one paper reported it in four waves (the paper with a report in 23 countries; each country was included in the analysis, separately).…”

Investigating the social embeddedness of criminal groups: Longitudinal associations between masculine honour and legitimizing attitudes towards the Camorra

“…For instance, local crime events could have made participants more reluctant to answer items about mafia groups. However, it should also be considered that, in line with research employing the RI‐CLPM in other contexts (e.g., Osborne & Sibley, 2020; Liekefett et al., 2021; Van Breen et al., 2021), within‐person effects are typically smaller and less stable over time compared with between‐person effects, or those obtained by traditional CLPMs. Additional multi‐wave longitudinal studies employing a variety of different measures are needed to investigate further changes in adolescents’ perceptions of criminal groups.…”

Newspaper coverage on solidarity and personal responsibility in the COVID-19 pandemic: A content analysis from Germany and German-speaking Switzerland

“…In a white paper written through the COVID-19 Rapid Response Impact Initiative, Cammett and Lieberman stressed the importance of solidarity-promoting public messaging already in March 2020, emphasizing the central role of mass media and societal leaders in that context ( Cammett & Lieberman, 2020 ). Studies conducted in the early phases of the pandemic, as well as during and after lockdown measures, particularly referred to solidarity as a crucial concept to overcome the pandemic (e.g., Marzana et al, 2021 ; McCormick, 2020 ; Moss & Sandbakken, 2021 ; Peng & Berry, 2021 ; van Breen et al, 2021 ). Relatedly, there were repeated calls for global solidarity to overcome regional resource bottlenecks and for pandemic containment ( Jecker & Atuire, 2021 ; Zagefka, 2021 ).…”