Life Before and After COVID-19: Changes in Relationships, Technology Use, and Well-being

Oregon Convention Center 

Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant changes in everyday life. Leveraging the rich longitudinal data provided by the General Social Survey (GSS), we analyze the profound impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on American life, specifically focusing on changes in interpersonal relationships, computer and technology usage, and subjective well-being. By analyzing trends before and during the pandemic, we identify significant shifts in the reported behaviors and psychological state of survey respondents. We present novel interactive visualizations to explore these trends. We also construct statistical models to assess the degree to which changes in subjective well-being can be explained by the changes in interpersonal relationships and technology use. These analyses inform societal responses to pandemics and could also guide policies and interventions to mitigate negative social effects brought on by COVID-19 and future pandemics.

statistical social science

data visualization

COVID-19 

Section on Statistical Computing