How Has Your Life Been Affected by Over a Year Living With the COVID-19 Pandemic? Tell Us About Your Experience and Take Part in a Scientific Research Project!

[This blog post has been written by Liudmila Liutsko, postdoctoral researcher, y Ximena Goldberg, Assistant Research Professor, both at ISGlobal]

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of millions of people around the globe. In addition to having grave health consequences, the pandemic has also crushed our goals, upended our family dynamics and job roles and undermined out economic stability. As a result, the unprecedented global crisis caused by the pandemic has had a major impact on our mental health.

ISGlobal is taking part in COVIDiSTRESS, a worldwide study that started during the initial wave of COVID-19. To date, over 173,000 people from 48 countries have reported on their experiences during the pandemic. The results of the initial survey indicated that higher levels of stress were associated with being a woman, younger age, being single and having lower levels of education, caring for more children, and living in a country or area where the COVID-19 situation was more severe. These findings highlight the importance of public health interventions focused on helping the most vulnerable groups, who are particularly susceptible to higher levels of stress.

ISGlobal is taking part in COVIDiSTRESS, a worldwide study that started during the initial wave of COVID-19. To date, over 173,000 people from 48 countries have reported on their experiences during the pandemic

The study also analysed how different psychological and behavioural responses affected compliance with government measures imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The results revealed considerable differences between countries during the first wave. Participants from Western European countries were more concerned about COVID-19, more stressed and had less confidence in government efforts compared to participants living in other parts of the world. The more confident people were in their government’s efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus, the less stress they experienced.

Take Part in This Global Study

The second phase of this study is now under way. The aim of phase two is to continue to collect large-scale data on our life experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected our mental health and social well-being. The study is led by Sara Vestergren (University of Salford, UK) and more than 140 professionals from more than 50 countries are part of the consortium.

The second phase of this study is now under way. The aim of phase two is to continue to collect large-scale data on our life experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected our mental health and social well-being

How Can You Take Part? You can take part in the study by completing this online questionnaire. The survey is available in over 40 languages. The data is anonymous and anyone aged over 18 years can take part. The final date for inclusion is 8 August.

Why is your participation important? The results of this study could help us to develop more efficient responses to future pandemics, with a focus on people’s well-being. It is very important that the questionnaire reaches as many people so that we can collect the most representative information for each country and region.

Click here to take part in the study

Thank you for your time and contribution. Please help us to reach the largest number of people possible by sharing the link with anyone you know might be interested in taking part. Many thanks.