The Ongoing Multi-Dimensional Impacts of COVID-19 on Wellbeing: Evidence from a Quasi-Longitudinal Survey in Israel

Fabian Israel (), Danielle Zaychik, Yonat Rein-Sapir, Eran Feitelson, Deborah Shmueli, Alex Altshuler, Pnina Plaut and Eli Salzberger
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Fabian Israel: Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
Danielle Zaychik: National Knowledge and Research Center for Emergency Readiness, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
Yonat Rein-Sapir: Department of Geography, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190501, Israel
Eran Feitelson: Department of Geography, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190501, Israel
Deborah Shmueli: Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
Alex Altshuler: School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
Pnina Plaut: Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
Eli Salzberger: Faculty of Law, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 24, 1-18

Abstract: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries implemented widespread restrictions in an effort to mitigate the spread of the virus. These measures had various impacts on the wellbeing of residents. This study explores the effects of the pandemic on wellbeing across different segments of the population in Israel, a country that rapidly administered vaccines and eased restrictions. Two online surveys were conducted on a representative sample of the population, one during the peak of the crisis and another 15 months later during the tail end. The analysis, conducted using multivariate statistical methods, revealed that the negative effects on wellbeing observed during the height of the crisis had largely diminished over time. The significant lifestyle changes prompted by the pandemic and governmental responses had mostly short-lived consequences on wellbeing. Yet, social connections continued to exhibit the strongest association with mitigating subjective wellbeing impacts. Additionally, this study found that the gap in wellbeing between disadvantaged and privileged groups widened as the crisis subsided, suggesting that some disasters may have an initial equalizing effect that wears off with time. The results emphasize the importance of considering the wellbeing impacts when implementing public health policies and providing ongoing support, particularly for disadvantaged populations, throughout the recovery period.

Keywords: COVID-19; pandemic; wellbeing; resilience and adaptation; disaster; public health social inclusion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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