How a lockdown impacts our minds and relationships

The strict coronavirus lockdown measures implemented in March proved highly effective. And not just at slowing the spread of the virus: they also made a significant impact on our social lives and even our mental health. Researchers working with sociologist Christoph Stadtfeld at the Social Networks Lab used a longitudinal study to investigate the nature of this phenomenon amongst students. Their work was based on regular surveys, conducted as part of the Swiss StudentLife study, which asked Swiss university students to provide comprehensive information about how and with whom they were maintaining social contact and how they were doing mentally.

In order to determine the influence of lockdown, the researchers compared two sets of responses from the same group of students: one from September 2019 and another from April 2020, approximately two weeks after the “extraordinary situation” was declared, which included a ban on all gatherings and the mandated closure of universities. They also compared the responses with another cohort of students who had completed a similar survey one year prior to the coronavirus crisis.

Loneliness and anxiety

As far as the impact on social networks is concerned, the researchers concluded that most students participating in the survey were still well integrated socially after two weeks in lockdown. Nevertheless, over time many students experienced lower numbers of what they considered to be positive interactions and also did more studying alone than in a group. With respect to mental health, respondents were doing worse on average than before lockdown. Stress, anxiety and depression were more frequent, while students were also increasingly concerned about those around them andtheir family and friends as well as their professional futures. There were, however, positive aspects as well. For example, in April students reported feeling less anxious about missing out on things, and they seemed to feel less stressed about competition with their peers.

According to Stadtfeld, much of the results were in accordance with the research group’s expectations. Where it gets interesting, he says, is when you start to ask why the negative mental health effects hit some people harder than others. “It shows that a strong social network can mitigate these effects,” he says. For example, students in the study who didn’t have regular contact with others or who lived alone proved more susceptible. Gender also appeared to be a factor: female students reported feeling anxious, depressed and stressed during lockdown more frequently than male students did. “Women generally have stronger social networks,” explains Kieran Mepham, one of the study’s co-authors, “which might make it more stressful for them when their contact with these networks is then restricted.”

Setting the stage early

How can universities best help students who are struggling? The researchers think it would be most effective to start encouraging social inclusion as early as possible. Creating opportunities for students to get to know each other and engage in informal exchange would be of particular significance, for example at pre-study events like the ones held at ETH (see ETH News from 8 June 2020). In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the group is also considering how networking can take place online. But physical interaction can’t simply be replaced, Stadtfeld points out. “That’s why I think it’s such a good idea that ETH is making every effort to ensure that the upcoming Autumn Semester can begin with at least a certain amount of classroom-based teaching,” the professor concludes.