The impact of out-of-home leisure before quarantine and domestic leisure during quarantine on subjective well-being

ABSTRACT

The great majority of Chinese underwent home quarantine because of SARS-CoV-2. Present research aims to find the effects of different types of leisure before or during outbreak on subjective well-being. Young people (n = 284) were investigated through an online questionnaire measuring self-rated well-being, out-of-home leisure before quarantine, domestic leisure during quarantine, information on the home environment and demographics. Subjective well-being comprises overall well-being, as well as mental, functional and social components. Four independent multivariate linear regressions reveal that individuals who frequently joined outside activities exhibit lower sense of overall and mental well-being, but higher functional and social well-being. In addition, active individuals before quarantine are more likely to explore new things during quarantine to heighten social well-being. Privatised outdoor space, like balcony, yard or terrace, is negatively correlated with well-being suggesting its weak ability to replace the public spaces. In conclusion, present research highlights the crucial role of leisure activities in well-being during COVID-19.

KEYWORDS:

• Leisure activity
• quarantine
• subjective well-being
• young people

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest in the preparation of this manuscript.

Compliance with ethical standards

The authors followed standard protocols of Peking University for the preparation of the research and the treatment of data from participants. The website clearly indicates that participation in the online survey is voluntary and may be stopped at any time. Participation is anonymous. In keeping with APA guidelines, anonymity and volunteering to participate after reading the introductory statement at the website, informed consent is deemed to have been obtained.

Informed consent

The introductory statement at the website lays out the origins of the survey and its eventual use. Participation was indicated as voluntary and anonymous, according to the survey website practice. Informed consent was deemed to be obtained upon voluntary participation. Note that participants were not solicited individually but responded from the website’s invitation to participate. There was full disclosure of the origins and purposes of the survey.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kangfu Zhuo

Kangfu Zhuo is a Master candidate in the College of Architecture and Landscape at Peking University, with interests in public space in China.

John Zacharias

John Zacharias is Chair Professor at the College and studies human response to planned environments.