Island Global Research is undertaking research to understand the impact that COVID-19 is having on people in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
This is their own research and each week they will release selected findings that are of interest.
Survey Results released 6 April 2020:
The latest results report on: 1) views on the level of threat and 2) impact on our mental wellbeing.
Views on the level of threat:
Around 80% of respondents think COVID-19 poses a high or very high threat to their island.
- 79% of respondents in Jersey perceive the threat of COVID-19 as high or very high
- 77% of respondents in Guernsey perceive the threat of COVID-19 as high or very high
- 72% of respondents in the Isle of Man perceive the threat of COVID-19 as high or very high
Although the number of positive cases has been increasing over the past week, perceptions of the level of threat remain relatively stable, and if anything dropped slightly.
The comments suggest that respondents tended to feel there is less threat this week due to:
- Feeling more adjusted to new routines, having processed some of the shock that was evident in the first week.
- Having tighter stay at home and social distancing measures now in place.
- Additional precautions food retailers are now taking to maintain social distance and cleanliness.
- Increased confidence that other people are now adhering to the social distancing guidelines more effectively.
Respondents consider the level of threat to be higher for family members than they do for themselves. They also tend to be more worried about family and friends in the UK than those living locally, who they can more easily support if needed.
Perceptions of the threat on family are similar across the different age groups, but the perceived threat on themselves increases with age. Around a quarter of under 30s believe COVID-19 poses a high/very high threat to them compared to half of those aged 70+.
Impact on our mental wellbeing:
Not surprisingly, COVID-19 is having an impact on our mental wellbeing. There’s been a significant drop in how satisfied respondents feel with their life now when compared to the beginning of the year.
- 72% of respondents were ‘thriving’ at the start of 2020, but now just 25% of people feel this way.
- Life satisfaction has also decreased since the stay at home requirements were introduced: 25% of respondents who rated their life as 8 or higher out of 10 (‘thriving’) last week, compared to 30% in the week before.
- Around 1 in 5 respondents are ‘suffering’, rating their life as 4 or less out of 10.
- Older generations tend to have a more positive outlook: 34% of over 70s were ‘thriving’ compared to 15% of those under 30.
- The comments reveal that a number of respondents have been experiencing stress, anxiety, depression and/or other mental wellbeing issues as a result of COVID-19. This includes those with and without a history of mental health problems.
Surveys on the ‘Impact of COVID-19’ were undertaken by Island Global Research in w/c 23 March and w/c 30 March. The latest survey was completed by 1,831 residents in the Crown Dependencies. (736 Guernsey, 585 Jersey, and 510 in the Isle of Man).
The latest survey (w/c 6 April) focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on wellbeing in more detail, and hopes to learn what strategies people are taking to stay positive during these challenging times.
Island Global Research is running a similar survey each week to track the impact of COVID-19 on islanders. As always the survey is anonymous.
Those resident in Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man are eligible to participate. There is no obligation to complete the survey every time, but the more people that take part each week, the better a picture Island Global Research will have of how residents are being affected.
This week’s survey (W/C 6 April) is now live and available at this link or via the news page of the website:
Direct Survey Link: https://survey.islandglobalresearch.com/s3/COVID19-Apr6
