May Tom, Aughterson Henry, Fancourt Daisy, Burton Alexandra
Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.
SSM Qual Res Health. 2023 Jun;3:100224. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2023.100224. Epub 2023 Jan 28.
There are concerns that the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including employment inactivity and job loss, will have consequences for the UK population's health and wellbeing. However, there is limited qualitative research into how financial adversity contributes to poor health outcomes in this context. This study aimed to explore forms of financial adversity experienced during the pandemic and their subsequent impacts for health and wellbeing.
Qualitative semi-structured interviews with 20 people who experienced a form of financial adversity during the pandemic and six service providers employed in social welfare support services. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Two main sources of financial adversity were identified: reductions in household incomes and increased living costs which engendered emotional and physical burdens. Coping strategies included increased financial borrowing, support from informal and formal networks and cutting back on energy use, food and non-essential items.
Our study highlighted exposure to multiple financial adversities because of the pandemic and how these experiences led to poor mental and physical health. The findings underline the importance of measures attending to the immediate needs of individuals, including accessible, co-located financial and psychological services, as well as broader measures that seek to reduce social and economic inequalities.
人们担心新冠疫情的经济影响，包括就业不活跃和失业，会对英国民众的健康和福祉产生影响。然而，关于在这种情况下经济困境如何导致健康状况不佳的定性研究有限。本研究旨在探讨疫情期间经历的经济困境形式及其对健康和福祉的后续影响。
对20名在疫情期间经历某种经济困境的人和6名从事社会福利支持服务的服务提供者进行了定性半结构化访谈。使用反思性主题分析法对数据进行了分析。
确定了经济困境的两个主要来源：家庭收入减少和生活成本增加，这带来了情感和身体负担。应对策略包括增加借贷、来自非正式和正式网络的支持以及减少能源使用、食物和非必需品消费。
我们的研究强调了疫情导致人们面临多种经济困境，以及这些经历如何导致身心健康不佳。研究结果强调了满足个人个人个人即时需求的措施的重要性，包括提供便捷的、集中的金融和心理服务，以及旨在减少社会和经济不平等的更广泛措施。
