COVID-19 Social Study

The COVID-19 Social Study was the largest study exploring the psychological and social effects of the pandemic on the UK population. Despite the availability of extensive literature on social isolation and its consequences, enforced social isolation in the form of lockdowns for COVID-19 were unique in many features, sharing only some similarities with quarantine measures used during previous epidemics. In addition, the unprecedented nature of the virus’s fast global spread made the social and psychological effects of COVID-19 unpredictable.

Our aim was to map how mental health and wellbeing changed alongside social restrictions, case rates, and death rates on an ongoing basis. Specifically, we set out to:

1. Understand the psychological and social impact of COVID-19
2. Map how the psychosocial impact evolved over time as social distancing and lockdown measures were introduced and eased
3. Determine which groups were at greatest risk of adverse effects
4. Explore the interaction between psychosocial impact and adherence to healthy and protective behaviours
5. Identify protective activities during isolation that could buffer against adverse effects

We analysed data in real-time and shared the results each week across the pandemic with key decision makers in Government, NHS England, the World Health Organization and Public Health England, along with hundreds of mental health organisations, community groups and charities, so the results had an impact every day.

Summaries and resources

Read our summary report: “Tracking the Psychological and Social Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic across the UK Population – Findings, Impact, and Recommendations from the COVID-19 Social Study“ (March 2020 – April 2022). Part I of this report is a synthesis of our key findings from the study. Part II describes in narrative form the impact the study has had both within and beyond academia.

You can also take a look at our opinion piece for the BMJ: “Is this social isolation?—we need to think broadly about the impact of social experiences during covid-19″ by Dr Daisy Fancourt & Prof Andrew Steptoe. You can view the table referenced in the blog here. (Notes: Light grey = some similarities to isolation during COVID-19. Dark grey = substantial similarities to isolation during COVID-19. *Opportunities/services available but likely great variation in how they are taken up by different individuals).

The COVID-19 Social Study has now completed data collection. A fully anonymised version of the dataset is archived on the UK Data Service to support continued scientific analyses. Any scientists who wish to undertake research using the data can apply for safeguarded permission-only access. Find out more.

You can also download the study protocol and user guide here.

Throughout the COVID-19 Social Study we published weekly and monthly reports sharing our latest findings and spotlighting different themes. You can find and explore the full list of these reports here.

Scientific articles from the COVID-19 Social Study can be browsed in our Research Papers Library, just go to the filter “Social topics”, select “COVID-19 & social restrictions” and then click search.

Policy and media

The study’s research team has given over two dozen keynote speeches, presented at conferences around the world, and informed 1,000 media pieces. We have also consulted to the Cabinet Office, multiple government departments, the World Health Organization, and more than 100 third sector bodies. Today, the COVID-19 Social Study is one of the most widely used social science datasets from the pandemic informing national policy.

The Study won the ‘Outstanding Societal Impact’ Prize in 2022 from the Economic and Social Research Council.

In 2021 we were also commissioned by Arts Council England to use data from the study to look at how the pandemic affected audiences and arts behaviours, as well as exploring how and why the arts helped people to cope during the pandemic, and more. Read the report here.