JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Residential lockdowns were implemented in quite a few cities in China to contain the rapid spread of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although the excessively stringent regulation effectively slowed the spread of the disease, it might have challenged the well-being of the residents.

Objective:

This study aims to explore the effect of residential lockdown on subjective well-being (SWB) of individuals during COVID-19.

Methods:

The sample consisted of 1,790 lockdown residents (73.18% female) and 3,580 non-lockdown residents (gender matched with 1,790 lockdown residents) on Sina Weibo. In both the lockdown and non-lockdown groups, we calculated the SWB indicators during the 2 weeks before and after the enforcement date of residential lockdown, using individuals’ original posts on Sina Weibo. This calculation of SWB was via online ecological recognition (OER), which was based on established machine-learning predictive models.

Results:

Integral analysis (N = 5,370) showed that compared with non-lockdown group, the lockdown group scored lower in some negative SWB indicators. Comparison of residential lockdown areas with different economic development (N = 1,790) indicated that the SWB of residents in under-developed area remained more stable during residential lockdown.

Conclusions:

These findings increase the understanding of the psychological impact and cost of residential lockdown during epidemic, and could be helpful for more sophisticated anti-epidemic policies and more targeted psychological intervention.