Evaluates the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on well-being

A new nationwide study being conducted jointly by EPFL, the Idiap Research Institute and the University of Lausanne (UNIL) aims to understand the emotional effects of the lockdown on Swiss residents and what steps they are taking to cope with it. The findings will be used to develop better support strategies for the future. Being required to stay at home most of the day and night is prompting people across Switzerland to change their daily routines. Which changes are the most difficult? Which routines will they keep once the lockdown is over? Which people are suffering most from this unprecedented situation? In order to better understand how Swiss residents are coping with the lockdown, researchers from EPFL, Idiap and UNIL have created an online survey available in English, French, Italian and German. In addition to asking a series of questions, the survey displays emergency phone numbers, options for online chats and links to useful websites and videos in order to provide support resources to people who are distressed, bored or suffering from domestic violence. The survey results will be used to identify the inequalities that are arising in the face of the pandemic and to develop coordinated and collaborative strategies to avoid them in the future, should a similar situation arise. The survey takes around 15 minutes and is designed to get a better idea of what types of housing and living conditions make people more mentally resilient - or susceptible - to the lockdown. For instance, are women taking on more of the household chores and childcare responsibilities' If so, to what extent, under what conditions and predominantly in which areas of Switzerland?