The COVID-19 pandemic and subjective well-being: longitudinal evidence on satisfaction with work and family

Abstract

This paper provides a timely evaluation of whether the main COVID-19 lockdown policiesremote work, short-time work and closure of schools and childcarehave an immediate effect on the German population in terms of changes in satisfaction with work and family life. Relying on individual level panel data collected before and during the lockdown, we examine (1) how family satisfaction and work satisfaction of individuals have changed over the lockdown period, and (2) how lockdown-driven changes in the labour market situation (i.e. working remotely and being sent on short-time work) have affected satisfactions. We apply first-difference regressions for mothers, fathers, and persons without children. Our results show a general decrease in family satisfaction. We also find an overall decline in work satisfaction which is most pronounced for mothers and those without children who have to switch to short-time work. In contrast, fathers' well-being is less affected negatively and their family satisfaction even increased after changing to short-time work. We conclude that while the lockdown circumstances generally have a negative effect on the satisfaction with work and family of individuals in Germany, effects differ between childless persons, mothers, and fathers with the latter being least negatively affected.

The impact of the coronavirus crisis on European societies. What have we learnt and where do we go from here? – Introduction to the COVID volume

“…While this seems fine to get a first thorough impression, we should (and authors did) nevertheless treat findings based on such data with some caution. Future research could make use of existing panels and start collecting more representative data, which can also allow for replication and thus support more robust conclusions (Hoenig and Wenz 2020;Möhring et al 2020). In turn, some of the qualitative (small-N) studies were confronted with difficulties in terms of gaining access to particular social groups, particularly while social distancing measures were in place.…”

“…Thus, these authors suggest that physically demanding domestic work is compounded by a mental (over)load since women tend to be more concerned about chores and childcare. Reduced well-being for various groups was further reported in Germany: mothersmore so than fathersand childless people, in particular, reported lower levels of satisfaction with family in the aftermath of the pandemic (Möhring et al 2020). Work satisfaction among mothers declined more, compared to fathers, according to another study from Germany (Hipp and Bünning 2020).…”

Differential effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on well-being: interaction between age, gender and chronotype

“…Studies in Germany reported that during the COVID-19 lockdown men were more concerned about paid work while women were more worried about childcare and shouldered more childcare work 51,52 . Furthermore, mothers experienced a greater decline in employment satisfaction while fathers' well-being was less affected and their family satisfaction even increased 53 . Another factor that could affect stress levels is domestic violence against women, which according to Israeli Police data, increased during lockdowns.…”

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Increased meaningful activity while social distancing dampens affectivity; mere busyness heightens it: Implications for well-being during COVID-19

“…In another U.S. study [13], social distancing was associated with significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and insomnia, compared to levels measured before social distancing. Finally, in a German study [14], women reported a decrease in family and work satisfaction during lockdown compared to pre-lockdown levels.…”