Australian National University researchers have for the first time studied the links between lockdowns and life satisfaction.
led to plunging life satisfaction, poor mental health and loneliness, negatively affecting the outlook of Australians more than higher case numbers and pandemic deaths. Australian National University researchers have for the first time studied the direct links between lockdowns and life satisfaction for , finding men had worse reactions to lockdowns while women felt increasing infection rates more acutely.
Eddie Jim Led by the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, and based on Oxford University’s COVID-19 Stringency Index, the study considered 6500 adults from across the country over more than two-and-a-half years.compared to older people, and on those states and territories that had multiple waves ofMelbourne was found to have the two strictest lockdowns in Australia, ahead of other cities including Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide.Demand for mental health services soared at the height of pandemic restrictions. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare research found that while the nation’s hospital system was not overwhelmed, Australians let slip healthy lifestyle choices, and alcohol intake and smoking grew. Nearly 10 per cent of Australians were shown to be experiencing severe psychological distress in April 2021, up from 8 per cent before the pandemic.said the stricter the lockdown imposed by state and territory governments, the higher the loss in life satisfaction. “There is no doubt lockdowns were essential to helping stop the spread of COVID-19 and limit case numbers and potential deaths. These measures were designed to keep Australians safe, and they did,” Professor Biddle said. “However, our findings also show that measures designed to help protect people from COVID-19 also have a clear impact on mental health and wellbeing. Whether this effect is long-lasting as we abandon strict lockdowns and adapt to ‘COVID normal’ remains to be seen.” The study found since the start of 2022 there has been a substantial increase in the level of subjective wellbeing in Australia. Higher levels of life satisfaction, lower rates of psychological distress, lower levels of loneliness, and a greater level of satisfaction were all recorded in August, along with approval of the direction of the country.It also showed that wellbeing measures have varied substantially across the COVID-19 period, with a number of peaks and troughs that subtly vary depending on the measure used. Study co-author Associate Professor Ben Edwards said there was also a clear connection between rising COVID-19 case numbers and lower life satisfaction. “From our findings it’s clear that increases in policy stringency and increases in cases are both associated with a worsening in people’s wellbeing and also led to a pronounced increase in how lonely people felt,” Associate Professor Edwards said. “However, the impact of strict lockdowns tended to be stronger and have more impact than an increase in COVID-19 case numbers.” On Wednesday, the Victorian government said face masks would no longer be required on public transport or in taxis or ride-share vehicles from midnight on Friday.Masks will instead be strongly recommended. NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia have already moved to scrap mask requirements for public transport. Mask requirements remain in place for visitors to hospitals, residential care facilities and allied health services, as well as for close contacts.
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