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Self-Perceived Life Satisfaction during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sweden : A Cross-Sectional Study

Brogårdh, Christina LU ; Hammarlund, Catharina Sjödahl LU ; Eek, Frida LU ; Stigmar, Kjerstin LU ; Lindgren, Ingrid LU ; Schouenborg, Anna Trulsson LU and Hansson, Eva Ekvall LU (2021) In International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18(12).
Abstract

Currently, there is limited knowledge on how the Swedish strategy with more lenient public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced people's life satisfaction. Here, we investigated self-reported life satisfaction during the first wave of the pandemic in Sweden, and perceived changes in life satisfaction in relation to various sociodemographic factors. A total of 1082 people (mean age 48 (SD 12.2); 82% women) responded to an online survey during autumn 2020 including the "Life Satisfaction Questionnaire-11". A majority (69%) were satisfied with life as a whole, and with other important life domains, with the exception of contact with friends and sexual life. An equal share reported that life as a whole had either... (More)

Currently, there is limited knowledge on how the Swedish strategy with more lenient public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced people's life satisfaction. Here, we investigated self-reported life satisfaction during the first wave of the pandemic in Sweden, and perceived changes in life satisfaction in relation to various sociodemographic factors. A total of 1082 people (mean age 48 (SD 12.2); 82% women) responded to an online survey during autumn 2020 including the "Life Satisfaction Questionnaire-11". A majority (69%) were satisfied with life as a whole, and with other important life domains, with the exception of contact with friends and sexual life. An equal share reported that life as a whole had either deteriorated (28%) or improved (29%). Of those that perceived a deterioration, 95% considered it to be due to the pandemic. Regarding deteriorated satisfaction with life as a whole, higher odds were found in the following groups: having no children living at home; being middle aged; having other sources of income than being employed; and having a chronic disease. The Swedish strategy might have contributed to the high proportion of satisfied people. Those who perceived a deterioration in life satisfaction may, however, need attention from Swedish Welfare Authorities.

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author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
COVID-19, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Pandemics, Personal Satisfaction, SARS-CoV-2, Sweden/epidemiology
in
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
volume
18
issue
12
publisher
MDPI AG
external identifiers
  • pmid:34207621
  • scopus:85107405012
ISSN
1660-4601
DOI
10.3390/ijerph18126234
project
Hälsoeffekter av restriktioner på grund av covid-19 – med fokus på fysisk aktivitet.
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
13d07f25-a0e8-4f43-b9a3-dcf1a20a4660
date added to LUP
2021-10-15 14:24:44
date last changed
2024-04-06 10:46:17
@article{13d07f25-a0e8-4f43-b9a3-dcf1a20a4660,
  abstract     = {{<p>Currently, there is limited knowledge on how the Swedish strategy with more lenient public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced people's life satisfaction. Here, we investigated self-reported life satisfaction during the first wave of the pandemic in Sweden, and perceived changes in life satisfaction in relation to various sociodemographic factors. A total of 1082 people (mean age 48 (SD 12.2); 82% women) responded to an online survey during autumn 2020 including the "Life Satisfaction Questionnaire-11". A majority (69%) were satisfied with life as a whole, and with other important life domains, with the exception of contact with friends and sexual life. An equal share reported that life as a whole had either deteriorated (28%) or improved (29%). Of those that perceived a deterioration, 95% considered it to be due to the pandemic. Regarding deteriorated satisfaction with life as a whole, higher odds were found in the following groups: having no children living at home; being middle aged; having other sources of income than being employed; and having a chronic disease. The Swedish strategy might have contributed to the high proportion of satisfied people. Those who perceived a deterioration in life satisfaction may, however, need attention from Swedish Welfare Authorities.</p>}},
  author       = {{Brogårdh, Christina and Hammarlund, Catharina Sjödahl and Eek, Frida and Stigmar, Kjerstin and Lindgren, Ingrid and Schouenborg, Anna Trulsson and Hansson, Eva Ekvall}},
  issn         = {{1660-4601}},
  keywords     = {{COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pandemics; Personal Satisfaction; SARS-CoV-2; Sweden/epidemiology}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{06}},
  number       = {{12}},
  publisher    = {{MDPI AG}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}},
  title        = {{Self-Perceived Life Satisfaction during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sweden : A Cross-Sectional Study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126234}},
  doi          = {{10.3390/ijerph18126234}},
  volume       = {{18}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}