Nearly two-thirds of Kiwi adults managed to find silver linings to last year's strict level 4 lockdown, over and above eliminating local transmission of COVID-19, according to a new study.
Among them were spending more time on hobbies, getting to know their neighbours, flexible working arrangements (that for many have persisted into 2021), no commuting, spending more time with family, a nicer environment and national pride.
Many Kiwis also appear to have taken on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's advice to "be kind" to one another.
"Lockdown represented a major flashpoint in people's lives and created an opportunity to stop, take stock and to reflect and connect with others," said lead researcher Matthew Jenkins of the University of Otago.
"Many people reported that kindness and helping behaviours became more common over this period. They described an 'old-fashioned sense of community and caring… that was not apparent before lockdown."
Just over 2000 people were interviewed in the study, which was published Friday morning in journal PLOS One. Asked the question, 'Have you experienced any silver linings, or positive aspects during the COVID-19 level 4 lockdown?' 64 percent said yes, either for themselves personally or for wider society.
"There was an increased sense of national unity, expressed by one participant as 'it's brought New Zealanders together, united in our shared COVID experience'," said Dr Jenkins.
The lockdown was successful, and New Zealand has spent most of the past year without any internal restrictions on movement. Unlike in most other nations, isolated outbreaks have been able to be brought under control quite quickly.
Another finding was many Kiwis found ways to socialise, despite being physically isolated in their bubbles.
"Because of the social distancing measures in place, technology became a major way for people to connect socially and for work via online services such as videoconferencing," said Dr Jenkins. "One participant reported they 'got to speak with my dad, who lives overseas, daily' while another joined a global online knitting group to maintain social interactions."
Previous research by Dr Jenkins and others at the University of Otago found the lockdown had a significant toll on Kiwis' mental wellbeing, particularly for young adults. Older adults, though more at risk of serious illness or death from the virus, were more stoic, that research found.
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There were rumours during the lockdown the suicide rate had spiked, which turned out to be false - the true number turned out to be lower than in previous years.
The University of Otago research has been described as unique. Few countries in the world have been through both a lockdown as strict as New Zealand's - at one point among the toughest in the world - as well as an extended period without any local transmission of the virus.
"Our findings show that in a time of turmoil, unrest and psychological distress, many people nonetheless found silver linings. We also speculate that, despite the impact of the lockdown, many people had their psychological needs for social connectedness and autonomy met, and these were likely to have influenced compliance with lockdown measures," said Dr Jenkins.
"Identifying these silver linings will help Governments and mental health practitioners identify the support required to help people survive and thrive during prolonged and stressful events, such as pandemics and lockdowns."
