Centre for Research in Nursing and Health, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW, Australia.
Centre for Evidence Based Initiatives in Health Care: A JBI Centre of Excellence, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
BMC Public Health. 2022 Dec 22;22(1):2406. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14896-x.
COVID-19 has created global disruption, with governments across the world taking rapid action to limit the spread of the virus. Physical distancing and lockdowns abruptly changed living conditions for many, posing specific challenges of social isolation and lack of connectedness due to being physically and socially isolated from family and friends. Social capital is the bonding of individuals within a society that facilitates and shapes social interactions. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore the impact that existing social capital has on Australians' experience of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect this has had on their wellbeing and quality of life.
Participants from various socioeconomic areas within Australia were purposively selected to participate in semi-structured interviews conducted via videoconferencing or telephone. Inductive thematic analysis of the data was undertaken.
A total of 20 participants were interviewed ranging in age from 21 to 65 years, including 50% (n = 10) females, 40% (n = 8) males, 5% (n = 1) non-binary and 5% (n = 1) transgender. Three main themes emerged from the analysis of the data: No person is an island; Social engagement; and Loneliness and isolation. Individuals who resided in low socioeconomic areas, those who lived alone and had reduced social support expressed feelings of poorer wellbeing.
This study describes the lived-experiences of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australians' social capital and wellbeing. The findings highlight the need for interventions to increase social support, social cohesion, and social connectedness, especially among Australians from low socioeconomic areas, to enhance their overall wellbeing.
COVID-19 造成了全球性的混乱，世界各国政府迅速采取行动限制病毒传播。身体上的距离和封锁突然改变了许多人的生活条件，由于与家人和朋友在身体和社会上隔离，他们面临着社交孤立和缺乏联系的特殊挑战。社会资本是社会中个人之间的联系，它促进和塑造社会互动。本研究的目的是定性探讨现有的社会资本对澳大利亚人在 COVID-19 大流行期间封锁经历的影响，以及这对他们的幸福感和生活质量的影响。
从澳大利亚各种社会经济领域中选择参与者进行半结构式访谈，通过视频会议或电话进行。对数据进行归纳主题分析。
共采访了 20 名参与者，年龄从 21 岁到 65 岁不等，其中 50%（n=10）为女性，40%（n=8）为男性，5%（n=1）为非二元性别，5%（n=1）为跨性别。数据分析得出了三个主要主题：没有人是孤岛；社会参与；孤独和孤立。居住在社会经济水平较低地区、独居且社会支持减少的人表示幸福感较差。
本研究描述了 COVID-19 大流行对澳大利亚人社会资本和幸福感的影响。研究结果强调需要采取干预措施，增加社会支持、社会凝聚力和社会联系，特别是针对来自社会经济水平较低地区的澳大利亚人，以提高他们的整体幸福感。
