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Measuring Pandemic and Lockdown Impacts on Wellbeing
1School of Government Victoria University of Wellington.
The Review of Income and Wealth
|May 23, 2022
Summary
New Zealand
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Public Health
- Economics
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic prompted Stats NZ to integrate wellbeing measures into the Household Labour Force Survey.
- Surveys captured data during national and regional lockdowns, including Auckland.
- Wellbeing indicators assessed included life satisfaction, health, income adequacy, social capital, and loneliness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns on population wellbeing in New Zealand.
- To analyze changes in life satisfaction, health, financial wellbeing, social capital, and loneliness.
- To investigate the differential effects of lockdowns based on individual characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Supplementation of the Household Labour Force Survey with General Social Survey wellbeing modules.
- Analysis of aggregated and individual-level survey data from June 2020 onwards.
- Statistical examination of the relationship between lockdown restrictiveness and wellbeing outcomes.
Main Results:
- Aggregated data showed improvements in life satisfaction, social capital, health, and financial wellbeing during 2020 compared to pre-pandemic levels.
- Loneliness increased across the population.
- Individual-level analysis revealed that more restrictive lockdowns were linked to decreased life satisfaction and increased loneliness, with varied impacts based on employment and household status.
Conclusions:
- While overall wellbeing indicators improved during the initial pandemic year, increased loneliness was observed.
- The restrictiveness of lockdowns significantly impacted individual life satisfaction and loneliness.
- Policy interventions should consider the nuanced effects of public health measures on diverse population segments.
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