Individual Differences on Wellbeing Indices during the COVID-19 Quarantine in Greece: A National Study

Christos Pezirkianidis (), Christina Parpoula, Christina Athanasiades, Katerina Flora, Nikolaos Makris, Despina Moraitou, Georgia Papantoniou, Stephanos Vassilopoulos, Maria Sini and Anastassios Stalikas
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Christos Pezirkianidis: Laboratory of Positive Psychology, Department of Psychology, Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, Syggrou Ave. 136, 17671 Athens, Greece
Christina Parpoula: Department of Psychology, Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, Syggrou Ave. 136, 17671 Athens, Greece
Christina Athanasiades: Department of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Katerina Flora: Department of Psychology, University of Western Macedonia, 50100 Kozani, Greece
Nikolaos Makris: Department of Primary Education, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
Despina Moraitou: Department of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Georgia Papantoniou: Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Stephanos Vassilopoulos: Department of Educational Sciences and Social Work, University of Patras, 26110 Patras, Greece
Maria Sini: Laboratory of Positive Psychology, Department of Psychology, Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, Syggrou Ave. 136, 17671 Athens, Greece
Anastassios Stalikas: Laboratory of Positive Psychology, Department of Psychology, Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, Syggrou Ave. 136, 17671 Athens, Greece

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 24, 1-22

Abstract: The impact of COVID-19 and the associated lockdown measures on people’s physical and mental wellbeing, as well as their daily lives and functioning, has been extensively studied. This study takes the approach of investigating the consequences of COVID-19 on a national scale, considering sociodemographic factors. The main objective is to make a contribution to ongoing research by specifically examining how age, gender, and marital status influence the overall impact of COVID-19 and wellbeing indicators during the second lockdown period that was implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Greek population. The study involved a sample of 16,906 individuals of all age groups in Greece who completed an online questionnaire encompassing measurements related to personal wellbeing, the presence and search for meaning in life, positive relationships, as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Additionally, to gauge the levels of the perceived COVID-19-related impact, a valid and reliable scale was developed. The results reveal that a higher perception of COVID-19 consequences is positively associated with psychological symptoms and the search for meaning in life, while being negatively correlated with personal wellbeing and the sense of meaning in life. In terms of individual differences, the findings indicate that unmarried individuals, young adults, and females tend to report higher levels of psychological symptoms, a greater search for meaning in life, and a heightened perception of COVID-19-related impact. These findings are analyzed in depth, and suggestions for potential directions for future research are put forth.

Keywords: wellbeing; individual differences; COVID-19; quarantine; meaning in life; social relationships; depression; anxiety; stress; Greece (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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