The association between work situation and life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic: prospective cohort study in Norway

  1. Ellen Øen Carlsen
  2. Ida Henriette Caspersen
  3. Helga Ask
  4. Ragnhild Eek Brandlistuen
  5. Lill Trogstad
  6. Per Magnus
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Abstract

Objectives

To analyse the population effects on life quality of being laid off from work, having to work from home, or having been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Design

Nationwide population-based cohort study.

Setting

Norway.

Participants

We followed more than 80,000 participants in an ongoing cohort study, the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) during the COVID-19 pandemic. We analysed current life satisfaction in April and again in September/October 2020 for subjects whose work situation and infection status had changed.

Main outcome measures

Self-reported satisfaction with life, using a scale from 0 (worst) to 10 (best).

Results

Temporary and permanent layoffs, working from a home-based office, and getting a COVID-19 diagnosis were associated with modestly, but significantly lower concurrent life satisfaction, both on a population level and for subjects who changed status. The associations with change in work situation were stronger for men. For men with permanent job loss, the adjusted odds ratio for low life satisfaction (<6) was 3.2 (95% CI 2.4 to 4.2) in April and 4.9 (95% CI 3.5 to 6.9) in autumn. A suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis was associated with an adjusted odds ratio for low life satisfaction of 1.9 (95% CI 1.6 to 2.3) in spring. The strength of associations between work situation and life satisfaction did not vary much across socio-economic strata, but layoffs were more common among those with low education.

Conclusion

Layoffs, home office and infection status had clear impact on the quality of life as measured with a global life satisfaction scale. These findings suggest that social differentials in quality of life, are increasing during the pandemic.

Funding

This work was funded by the Norwegian Research Council’s Centres of Excellence Funding Scheme (no. 262700) and by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH).

SUMMARY BOXES

What is already known on this topic

  • <label>−</label>

    Being laid off from work or having to work from a home-based office is usually associated with reduced life quality.

  • <label>−</label>

    The population effect has not been estimated during the present surge in cases of COVID-19 in Europe.

What this study adds

  • <label>−</label>

    This population-based study shows that life satisfaction in Norway has been stable from the first to the second wave of the pandemic, but that both layoffs and working from home is associated with reduced life satisfaction, especially among men.

  • <label>−</label>

    The reduced life satisfaction in people working from a home-based office implies that large proportions of the population are affected.

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