Well-being disparities during the COVID-19 outbreak: Evidence from Malta.

Abstract

As governments struggled to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout, individuals across the globe experienced considerable impacts on their lifestyles and well-being. This study examines these impacts in Malta, where COVID-19 first broke out in early March 2020. Within days, government authorities had instituted a range of restrictions, culminating in lockdown for older persons. A survey undertaken toward the end of the month (1,821 respondents) yielded the necessary data to estimate an econometric model of subjective well-being. This sheds light on the considerable impact that COVID-19 had on self-assessed happiness and life satisfaction and on the resulting disparities that arose. Significant effects were experienced by those who were exposed to or concerned about the effects of COVID-19. A significant and negative association was also found to exist between old age and happiness. Working from home and having a university degree were found to be positively associated with happiness. Typically important positive predictors of well-being, such as social interaction and engagement in outdoor activities, failed to predict well-being at all during the COVID-19 outbreak in Malta. On the other hand, engaging in sport, artistic work or voluntary work continued to be associated with higher levels of self-assessed happiness and life satisfaction. These findings yield insights on the broader impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Natural environments, psychosocial health, and health behaviors in a crisis – A scoping review of the literature in the COVID-19 context

“…No difference compared to students with a courtyard or garden for collective use was observed (OR = 1.1, 95%CI = 0.8–1.7). Briguglio, Caruana, and Debono (2021) , Malta Adults and older adults (1821, n.a., n.a., n.a.) March 2020 Observational, cross-sectional, quantitative, online survey Investigate factors related to subjective well-being during COVID-19 Nature Frequency of going by the sea or nature Happinness Life satisfaction One item question, respectively Frequency of nature visits was related to happiness prior (B = 0.23, p < 0.001), but not during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

To Hell and Back: A Performer's mental health journey during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Locally, research undertaken during the acute stages of the pandemic identified changes in mental well‐being that were of concern. In particular, the increase in loneliness (Azzopardi et al, 2021) and a decline in happiness and life satisfaction (Briguglio et al, 2021) were evident. In a local document analysis study, 45 emotions and psychological attitudes to the pandemic were identified during the period March–June 2020, clearly highlighting the mental well‐being turmoil that the nation experienced (Grech & Grech, 2020).…”