Social capital and wellbeing among Australian adults' during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study.
COVID-19
Social capital
Social determinants of health
Wellbeing
Journal
BMC public health
ISSN: 1471-2458
Titre abrégé: BMC Public Health
Pays: England
ID NLM: 100968562
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
22 12 2022
22 12 2022
Historique:
received:
15
06
2022
accepted:
19
12
2022
entrez:
22
12
2022
pubmed:
23
12
2022
medline:
27
12
2022
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
COVID-19 has created global disruption, with governments across the world taking rapid action to limit the spread of the virus. Physical distancing and lockdowns abruptly changed living conditions for many, posing specific challenges of social isolation and lack of connectedness due to being physically and socially isolated from family and friends. Social capital is the bonding of individuals within a society that facilitates and shapes social interactions. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore the impact that existing social capital has on Australians' experience of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect this has had on their wellbeing and quality of life. Participants from various socioeconomic areas within Australia were purposively selected to participate in semi-structured interviews conducted via videoconferencing or telephone. Inductive thematic analysis of the data was undertaken. A total of 20 participants were interviewed ranging in age from 21 to 65 years, including 50% (n = 10) females, 40% (n = 8) males, 5% (n = 1) non-binary and 5% (n = 1) transgender. Three main themes emerged from the analysis of the data: No person is an island; Social engagement; and Loneliness and isolation. Individuals who resided in low socioeconomic areas, those who lived alone and had reduced social support expressed feelings of poorer wellbeing. This study describes the lived-experiences of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australians' social capital and wellbeing. The findings highlight the need for interventions to increase social support, social cohesion, and social connectedness, especially among Australians from low socioeconomic areas, to enhance their overall wellbeing.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
COVID-19 has created global disruption, with governments across the world taking rapid action to limit the spread of the virus. Physical distancing and lockdowns abruptly changed living conditions for many, posing specific challenges of social isolation and lack of connectedness due to being physically and socially isolated from family and friends. Social capital is the bonding of individuals within a society that facilitates and shapes social interactions. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore the impact that existing social capital has on Australians' experience of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect this has had on their wellbeing and quality of life.
METHODS
Participants from various socioeconomic areas within Australia were purposively selected to participate in semi-structured interviews conducted via videoconferencing or telephone. Inductive thematic analysis of the data was undertaken.
RESULTS
A total of 20 participants were interviewed ranging in age from 21 to 65 years, including 50% (n = 10) females, 40% (n = 8) males, 5% (n = 1) non-binary and 5% (n = 1) transgender. Three main themes emerged from the analysis of the data: No person is an island; Social engagement; and Loneliness and isolation. Individuals who resided in low socioeconomic areas, those who lived alone and had reduced social support expressed feelings of poorer wellbeing.
CONCLUSIONS
This study describes the lived-experiences of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australians' social capital and wellbeing. The findings highlight the need for interventions to increase social support, social cohesion, and social connectedness, especially among Australians from low socioeconomic areas, to enhance their overall wellbeing.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36550458
doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14896-x
pii: 10.1186/s12889-022-14896-x
pmc: PMC9772589
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
2406Informations de copyright
© 2022. The Author(s).
Références
Public Health Nurs. 2021 Nov;38(6):942-952
pubmed: 34403525
BMJ. 2022 Feb 9;376:e067068
pubmed: 35140066
BMJ Open. 2019 Nov 14;9(11):e033137
pubmed: 31727668
Health Soc Care Community. 2022 Nov;30(6):e5293-e5304
pubmed: 35899552
J Community Health. 2020 Aug;45(4):689-695
pubmed: 32468155
Soc Sci Med. 2020 Nov;265:113308
pubmed: 32905965
BMC Psychiatry. 2018 May 29;18(1):156
pubmed: 29843662
J Health Commun. 2020 Apr 2;25(4):323-332
pubmed: 32508245
SSM Popul Health. 2019 Jun 07;8:100425
pubmed: 31431915
Soc Sci Med. 2001 May;52(10):1501-16
pubmed: 11314847
Fam Process. 2021 Sep;60(3):1002-1015
pubmed: 33220082
Am J Health Promot. 2020 Nov;34(8):942-944
pubmed: 32394721
Scand J Public Health. 2018 Mar;46(2):194-203
pubmed: 28914587
J Psychoactive Drugs. 2021 Jan-Mar;53(1):1-9
pubmed: 33111650
Alcohol Alcohol. 2022 Mar 12;57(2):198-202
pubmed: 34414405
Soc Sci Humanit Open. 2020;2(1):100069
pubmed: 34173500
Curr Opin Psychol. 2020 Jun;33:227-232
pubmed: 31765930
BMC Public Health. 2021 Oct 7;21(1):1801
pubmed: 34620136
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 04;19(9):
pubmed: 35564968
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Oct 29;17(21):
pubmed: 33138131
BMC Public Health. 2020 Mar 14;20(1):329
pubmed: 32171286
Res Nurs Health. 2010 Feb;33(1):77-84
pubmed: 20014004
Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2020 Jun 14;56:38-42
pubmed: 32562476
J Crim Justice. 2021 May-Jun;74:101806
pubmed: 36281275
BMJ Open. 2020 Aug 11;10(8):e034967
pubmed: 32788184
PLoS One. 2020 Dec 31;15(12):e0244809
pubmed: 33382859
Soc Sci Med. 2020 Nov;265:113501
pubmed: 33203551
Health Soc Care Community. 2022 Nov;30(6):e4345-e4354
pubmed: 35561090
Health Soc Care Community. 2021 Sep;29(5):1439-1449
pubmed: 33084083
SSM Popul Health. 2019 Apr 29;7:100403
pubmed: 31080870
JMIR Form Res. 2021 Jul 6;5(7):e28656
pubmed: 34133315
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2020 Jul;55(7):789-791
pubmed: 32529475
BMC Public Health. 2021 Nov 8;21(1):2037
pubmed: 34749704
Res Nurs Health. 2017 Feb;40(1):23-42
pubmed: 27686751