Gender Inequalities in Life Satisfaction During COVID-19
Author Information
Author(s): Moreno-Agostino Darío, Chanfreau Jenny, Knowles Gemma, Pelikh Alina, Das-Munshi Jayati, Ploubidis George B.
Primary Institution: ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King's College London, UK
Hypothesis
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect gender differences in long-term life satisfaction trajectories?
Conclusion
The study found that women experienced a more significant decline in life satisfaction during the pandemic compared to men, reversing their previous advantage.
Supporting Evidence
- Women had higher life satisfaction than men before the pandemic.
- Women experienced a more accelerated decline in life satisfaction with the pandemic onset.
- Time-use differences did not explain the decline in women's life satisfaction.
Takeaway
The pandemic made women less happy than before, even though they used to be happier than men. This change happened because of the pandemic, not because of how they spent their time.
Methodology
Data from the 1970 British Cohort Study was analyzed using piecewise latent growth curve models to assess life satisfaction trajectories.
Potential Biases
Potential recall bias and social desirability effects may have influenced the self-reported time-use data.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported measures, which may introduce bias, and the wording of life satisfaction questions varied slightly over time.
Participant Demographics
Participants were adults born in Great Britain in 1970, with 56.2% being women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.087–0.340
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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