[Household environment, living alone, and health-related quality of life during the COVID-19 lockdown in Germany].

BACKGROUND

To contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, between March and May 2020 the stay-at-home order and contacts of people in Germany were severely restricted. Studies worldwide allow the assumption that social isolation ordered by the crisis can have a significant influence on the well-being of those affected. To better understand the health consequences of the COVID-19 lockdown and to be able to counteract them preventively, the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adults living in Germany was investigated in connection with the housing situation and the subjectively perceived household environment during this period.

METHODS

A sample of  = 541 adults (M = 34 years; 67% female), recruited nationwide by four different strategies, was interviewed with standardized instruments on HRQoL and household environment during the lockdown using an online survey.

RESULTS

In the investigated sample, an overall moderate HRQoL during the lockdown was found, which was significantly predicted by the subjectively perceived household environment ( < 0.001). Participants living alone reported significantly lower HRQoL than participants living with other people in the same household. The household environment predicted 26% of the variance in HRQoL; sociodemographic characteristics clarified an additional 5% variance.

CONCLUSION

The evidence that a better perceived household environment was associated with higher HRQoL during the lockdown emphasizes the importance of the domestic environment during social isolation. Future pandemic containment measures that limit social contact should raise awareness of the link between well-being and household environment and ensure that assistance remains accessible to people with a conflict-ridden home environment.