Residents of Finland said knock-on effects of the coronavirus crisis had caused a deteriorating economy, increased feelings of loneliness and reduced daily exercise, according to preliminary data of the FinSote survey released by the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) on Wednesday.
The study found that the epidemic, along with the restrictions and recommendations it caused, has affected people differently, largely depending on where they live.
Part of broader surveys of the population, the study aims to see how the coronavirus epidemic and related restrictions have impacted residents regarding their economic and employment situations, social inclusion, quality of life--as well as the health and experiences within social services of people with disabilities.
The study--which queried some 16,600 residents--found that the biggest impacts of the epidemic were seen among people living in areas with the largest proportions of coronavirus cases.
It was found that the largest number of people who said they had cancelled doctor appointments lived in Uusimaa, which has so far seen the largest number of cases. Cancellations were most common in Eastern Uusimaa, where one-third of appointments were called off. In the rest of the country just over one-fifth (22 percent) of doctors' visits were postponed.
One quarter of respondents over the age of 55 in Helsinki, Vantaa and Western Uusimma said they had cancelled or postponed appointments. Regions with the fewest cancellations, around 15 percent, were reported in Northern Ostrobothnia.
Respondents also reported declines in social interactions during the crisis, with a noted increase in feelings of loneliness.
Loneliness among old and young
Residents in the capital-- around 44 percent--were most likely to say their levels of loneliness had increased, compared to an average of about 32 percent of respondents living in the rest of the country.
The resulting increase in employees working from home had caused feelings of loneliness, according to the survey. An average of 74 percent of respondents in Helsinki said they had increased the amount of telecommuting, compared to around 48 percent in the rest of the country.
Loneliness was seen among older respondents but was also reported by people in their 20s and 30s, according to THL specialist researcher Katja Ilmarinen.
"Older people experienced an increase in loneliness and sleeping problems. About one-in-five [of that group] said that falling asleep had become more difficult and also reported an increase in nightmares," Ilmarinen explained.
Older respondents also reported that their exercise levels had declined during the pandemic, but on the other hand 10 percent of people over the age of 80 said they were doing more physical activity. Around 20 percent of seniors said they had been concerned about being infected with coronavirus.
Ilmarinen said that some of the loneliness reported among older respondents may be linked to having less computer skills than their younger counterparts, noting that the group may not have joined the recent rise in popularity of digital communications.
"The elderly also obediently complied with social distancing recommendations, so that was certainly reflected in the experiences of loneliness," she said, adding that a lack of regular contact with children and grandchildren due to the guidance was also a likely reason behind feelings of loneliness.
Not just in capital region
On the other hand, people have increasingly headed outdoors during the crisis, including going on hikes in the woods, meeting with friends and attending outdoor events and activities.
Ilmarinen said that younger adults experienced loneliness for different reasons.
"They are in an active phase of their lives, so the restrictions brought on by the coronavirus were specifically aimed at many of their lifestyles. It caused changes, and subsequent loneliness," she explained.
The crisis has also affected people's livelihoods. The survey found that 20 percent of adults aged 20-74 felt that the epidemic had worsened their economic situations, at least to some extent.
Respondents in Uusimaa, which includes Helsinki, reported the most negative economic impacts. But in addition to the capital region, people in Lapland and Southwest Finland also reported deterioration of their financial situations at a slightly higher rate than in the rest of the country.
THL's leading expert Anna-Mari Aalto said that the decline in tourism in Lapland affected the daily lives of many residents in the region.
