Using time use diaries to track changing behavior across successive stages of COVID-19 social restrictions

Abstract

We present analyses of 24-hour time use diary records of the UK population’s activities, their social context and their location, collected in real time from four successive waves of representative UK samples, both before, and during, the current COVID-19 pandemic. We show changes in behavioral response to social restrictions at three time-points during the pandemic, including across two nationwide lockdowns. Comparing samples across the four waves, we find evidence of substantial changes in the population’s activities, locations and social interactions, which may be interpreted as direct responses to changes in regulations. One of our main motivations was to compare risk-related behavior across the first and second lockdowns. We find suggestive evidence that the second lockdown (recorded late November 2020) was less strictly adhered to than the first (recorded May- June 2020). Holding constant gender, age and social grade, the population spent on average 32 more minutes per day in high risk activities in late November 2020 than in first lockdown. Disaggregating by gender and age group, the difference was found to be statistically significant for all groups, with the exception of those aged 55 and over.Significance statementWhat do people do during lockdown? This set of data is unique in providing time use diary information in real time on changing behavior in the UK in response to each major change in social restrictions. This enables us to directly compare 24-hour continuous and comprehensive information on the populations’ activities, their social context and their location, comparing risk- related behavior during different phases of social restrictions. Holding constant gender, age and social grade, we show that the UK population spent on average 32 more minutes per day in high risk activities in the second UK lockdown in November 2020 than in first lockdown (starting March 2020). This difference was statistically significant.

Work from home, time allocations, and wellbeing: The impact of lockdowns

“…Del Boca et al (2020) noted increased domestic workload for Italian women, while Andrade and Petiz Lousã (2021) analyzed WFH's impact on work-life balance. Sullivan et al (2021) studied evolving pandemic impacts on time management and virus exposure risks in the UK. Blahopoulou et al (2022) focused on Spanish workers, highlighting the role of immediate satisfaction in WFH's well-being and performance.…”

Intentional Travel Groups and Social Networks during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Yet, to our knowledge, little research has concerned how realized physical social interactions and corresponding social networks reacted to the pandemic. Some other studies particularly examined how individuals' sociability and behaviors changed given the fear of infection based on empirical data, e.g., interviews, surveys, and time-use diaries (Chou et al, 2020;Amram et al, 2022;Sullivan et al, 2021). Physical human interactions were still found essential during the pandemic, which could sustain and even improve people's mental health and working e ciency (Lee et al, 2022;Glaeser, 2020).…”