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Open Access 01-12-2024 | COVID-19 | Research

Social support predicted subsequent subjective well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective study

Authors: Yanhui Mao, Junpeng Chen, Xinqi Liu, Junhua Dang, Helgi B. Schiöth

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Subjective well-being (SWB) is associated with social support in cross-sectional studies. However, it remains unclear whether and how social support predicts SWB longitudinally, especially during the COVID-19 contingency.

Methods

By adopting a prospective design, the current work addressed this research question in a sample of 594 participants from the U.K. The data were collected via the online platform, Prolific, at two time points (June, 2020 and August, 2021) with a 14-month interval. Descriptive analysis and a moderated mediation model were conducted to test the proposed hypotheses.

Results

Baseline social support was a significant predictor of subjective well-being (SWB) 14 months later, even after controlling for baseline SWB and other covariates such as personality traits. Additionally, affect balance (i.e., the affective component of SWB) fully mediated the link between baseline social support and subsequent life satisfaction (i.e., the cognitive component of SWB). Moreover, household income moderated this relationship, indicating a stronger mediation for individuals with lower monthly household income.

Conclusion

The present work sheds light on the underlying mechanism and boundary condition of the association between social support and different components of SWB during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Title: Social support predicted subsequent subjective well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective study
Authors: Yanhui Mao
Junpeng Chen
Xinqi Liu
Junhua Dang
Helgi B. Schiöth
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: COVID-19
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18473-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Social support predicted subsequent subjective well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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