Well-Being, Loneliness, and Quality of Relationships Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Botswana

This paper explored the determinants of well-being, quality of relationships (QOR), and loneliness among people of Botswana before and during the novel COVID-19 pandemic. It also examined whether there were significant differences between participants’ well-being, loneliness, and QOR before and duri...

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Main Authors: Magen Mhaka-Mutepfa, Md Jabuyer Biswas, Leonne M. Mfolwe, Kesego D. Mathoothe, M. Tasdik Hasan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2024-05-01
Series:SAGE Open
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241251540
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author Magen Mhaka-Mutepfa
Md Jabuyer Biswas
Leonne M. Mfolwe
Kesego D. Mathoothe
M. Tasdik Hasan
author_facet Magen Mhaka-Mutepfa
Md Jabuyer Biswas
Leonne M. Mfolwe
Kesego D. Mathoothe
M. Tasdik Hasan
author_sort Magen Mhaka-Mutepfa
collection DOAJ
description This paper explored the determinants of well-being, quality of relationships (QOR), and loneliness among people of Botswana before and during the novel COVID-19 pandemic. It also examined whether there were significant differences between participants’ well-being, loneliness, and QOR before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors associated with the well-being, loneliness, and QOR of the Botswana population before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were also explored. A cross-sectional design was used to collect information on the three variables before and during the COVID-19 pandemic using online platforms. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants ( N  = 422) using the WHO-5, Three-Item Loneliness Scale, and the Relationship Quality Index (RQI). Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate mixed-effects linear models. Age, relationship status, concern about own and family health, difficulty switching on and off media reporting on COVID, change in lifestyle, participation in sports, and resting were significantly associated with well-being ( p  < .001) and loneliness ( p  < .05). Sleep was associated with QOR. There were significant differences in the well-being, QOR, and loneliness scores before COVID-19 conditions and during COVID-19 conditions. Stakeholders should take cognizance of the impact of predictor variables on well-being and loneliness to mitigate the impact of current and future pandemics.
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spelling doaj-art-db51edbbba6845438be142cb76a8e86c2025-08-20T02:22:25ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open2158-24402024-05-011410.1177/21582440241251540Well-Being, Loneliness, and Quality of Relationships Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in BotswanaMagen Mhaka-Mutepfa0Md Jabuyer Biswas1Leonne M. Mfolwe2Kesego D. Mathoothe3M. Tasdik Hasan4University of Botswana, Gaborone, BotswanaInternational Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, BangladeshUniversity of Botswana, Gaborone, BotswanaUniversity of Botswana, Gaborone, BotswanaAction Lab, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Melbourne, AustraliaThis paper explored the determinants of well-being, quality of relationships (QOR), and loneliness among people of Botswana before and during the novel COVID-19 pandemic. It also examined whether there were significant differences between participants’ well-being, loneliness, and QOR before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors associated with the well-being, loneliness, and QOR of the Botswana population before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were also explored. A cross-sectional design was used to collect information on the three variables before and during the COVID-19 pandemic using online platforms. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants ( N  = 422) using the WHO-5, Three-Item Loneliness Scale, and the Relationship Quality Index (RQI). Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate mixed-effects linear models. Age, relationship status, concern about own and family health, difficulty switching on and off media reporting on COVID, change in lifestyle, participation in sports, and resting were significantly associated with well-being ( p  < .001) and loneliness ( p  < .05). Sleep was associated with QOR. There were significant differences in the well-being, QOR, and loneliness scores before COVID-19 conditions and during COVID-19 conditions. Stakeholders should take cognizance of the impact of predictor variables on well-being and loneliness to mitigate the impact of current and future pandemics.https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241251540
spellingShingle Magen Mhaka-Mutepfa
Md Jabuyer Biswas
Leonne M. Mfolwe
Kesego D. Mathoothe
M. Tasdik Hasan
Well-Being, Loneliness, and Quality of Relationships Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Botswana
SAGE Open
title Well-Being, Loneliness, and Quality of Relationships Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Botswana
title_full Well-Being, Loneliness, and Quality of Relationships Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Botswana
title_fullStr Well-Being, Loneliness, and Quality of Relationships Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Botswana
title_full_unstemmed Well-Being, Loneliness, and Quality of Relationships Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Botswana
title_short Well-Being, Loneliness, and Quality of Relationships Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Botswana
title_sort well being loneliness and quality of relationships before and during the covid 19 pandemic in botswana
url https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241251540
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