The Ongoing Multi-Dimensional Impacts of COVID-19 on Wellbeing: Evidence from a Quasi-Longitudinal Survey in Israel

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries implemented widespread restrictions in an effort to mitigate the spread of the virus. These measures had various impacts on the wellbeing of residents. This study explores the effects of the pandemic on wellbeing across different segments of the population in Israel, a country that rapidly administered vaccines and eased restrictions. Two online surveys were conducted on a representative sample of the population, one during the peak of the crisis and another 15 months later during the tail end. The analysis, conducted using multivariate statistical methods, revealed that the negative effects on wellbeing observed during the height of the crisis had largely diminished over time. The significant lifestyle changes prompted by the pandemic and governmental responses had mostly short-lived consequences on wellbeing. Yet, social connections continued to exhibit the strongest association with mitigating subjective wellbeing impacts. Additionally, this study found that the gap in wellbeing between disadvantaged and privileged groups widened as the crisis subsided, suggesting that some disasters may have an initial equalizing effect that wears off with time. The results emphasize the importance of considering the wellbeing impacts when implementing public health policies and providing ongoing support, particularly for disadvantaged populations, throughout the recovery period.