Self-perceived health and life satisfaction during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess both self-perceived health and life satisfaction during one of COVID-19 pandemic peaks and to reveal their correlates among the study characteristics. Materials and methods. An online survey was conducted at the end 
of 2020 among 930 participants recruited via Facebook. Results. A quarter of the participants (26.2%) rated their own health as very good, 47.1% – as good, for 22.8% it was satisfactory, 2.9% claimed it as bad and 0.9% as very bad. Life satisfaction was measured by a 
10-point scale ranging from 1 “very unsatisfied” to 10 – “very satisfied“. The median level of satisfaction was 6 (IQR 3-8). With the decrease of self-perceived health a significant drop of life satisfaction was observed (Kendall’s tau = 0.172, p < 0.001). No significant difference was noticed in both self-perceived health and life satisfaction between patients who had suffered from COVID-19 and those who had not (p > 0.05). Self-perceived health was positively correlated with self-perceived living standard (Kendall’s tau = 0.118, p < 0.001) and negative with age (Kendall’s tau = -0.112, p < 0.001). Females’ health was significantly worse (p=0.006) and also single, divorced and widowed reported significantly worse health compared to married/in a steady relationship (p = 0.019). Life satisfaction was positively correlated with net monthly income (Kendall’s tau = 0.199, p < 0.001), self-perceived living standard (Kendall’s tau = 0.246, p < 0.001) and education (Kendall’s tau = 0.101, p < 0.001). Married or in a steady relationship reported significantly higher life satisfaction than single, divorced and widowed (p = 0.001). Conclusion. Better economic status and living with spouse or having a steady partner (instead of being single, divorced or widowed) helps individuals to maintain better health and subjective well-being during pandemics.