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Societal Movement Restrictions and Adverse Mental Health Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Chan, Ho Fai

    (Queensland University of Technology)

  • Cheng, Zhiming

    (University of New South Wales)

  • Mendolia, Silvia

    (University of Torino)

  • Paloyo, Alfredo R.

    (University of Wollongong)

  • Tani, Massimiliano

    (University of New South Wales)

  • Proulx, Damon

    (University of Newcastle, Australia)

  • Savage, David

    (University of Newcastle, Australia)

  • Torgler, Benno

    (Queensland University of Technology)

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have struggled to find the right balance between restrictive measures to contain the spread of the virus, and the effects of these measures on people's psychological wellbeing. This paper investigates the relationship between limitations to mobility and mental health for British population during the COVID-19 pandemic, combining the use of high frequency mobility data from Google and longitudinal monthly data collected during the pandemic. We show that more time spent at home predicts a worsening of mental wellbeing even when we account for the prevalence of COVID-19 in the region and the general stringency of the lockdown. There is some heterogeneity in these effects, with young healthy people, living alone, with an active working life, showing particularly high levels of distress.

Suggested Citation

  • Chan, Ho Fai & Cheng, Zhiming & Mendolia, Silvia & Paloyo, Alfredo R. & Tani, Massimiliano & Proulx, Damon & Savage, David & Torgler, Benno, 2022. "Societal Movement Restrictions and Adverse Mental Health Outcomes," IZA Discussion Papers 15111, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15111
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; mental health; human movement; mobility restriction; stay-at-home lockdowns;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I0 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - General
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

    NEP fields

    This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

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