Having a Break or Being Imprisoned: Influence of Subjective Interpretations of Quarantine and Isolation on Boredom

Silke Ohlmeier, Corinna Klingler, Isabell Schellartz and Holger Pfaff
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Silke Ohlmeier: Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Science, University of Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany
Corinna Klingler: Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
Isabell Schellartz: Institute of Health Care Research, Rhineland State Council, LVR-Institut für Versorgungsforschung, 51109 Cologne, Germany
Holger Pfaff: Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Science, University of Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: Boredom has been identified as one of the greatest psychological challenges when staying at home during quarantine and isolation. However, this does not mean that the situation necessarily causes boredom. On the basis of 13 explorative interviews with bored and non-bored persons who have been under quarantine or in isolation, we explain why boredom is related to a subjective interpretation process rather than being a direct consequence of the objective situation. Specifically, we show that participants vary significantly in their interpretations of staying at home and, thus, also in their experience of boredom. While the non-bored participants interpret the situation as a relief or as irrelevant, the bored participants interpret it as a major restriction that only some are able to cope with.

Keywords: boredom; COVID-19; quarantine; social constructivism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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