Key factors related to happiness and anxiety in Aotearoa New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

Aim: Mental wellbeing has been one of the most prominent health concerns in Aotearoa New Zealand and has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we explored factors associated with anxiety and happiness in a mid-pandemic climate in Aotearoa.

Methods: Analyses were performed on the anxiety and happiness scores from the wellbeing survey in December 2020 (Statistics NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa; 30,000 responders contacted for the Household Labour Force Survey). Correlations and general linear models were used to identify significant predictor variables related to anxiety and happiness scores.

Results: A number of factors correlated with both anxiety and happiness, including loneliness, physical health, family wellbeing, financial wellbeing, age and gender. After controlling for many ethnically stratified social burdens, Māori and Pacific populations demonstrated higher levels of happiness. Discrimination was only associated with anxiety, while generalised trust, trust in the police and in the health system all related to happiness.

Conclusion: Anxiety and happiness in a mid-pandemic environment shared many related variables spanning physical, social and financial domains. Additionally, anxiety was associated with greater levels of discrimination, and happiness with trust in public services. Here we provide a window into the state of mental wellbeing in Aotearoa during a global health crisis.