Loneliness and income disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

Abstract

Although substantial evidence links loneliness and social isolation to adverse mental health outcomes, their socioeconomic implications remain less understood. This study examined the association between feelings of loneliness or social isolation and household income disruption among Canadian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were drawn from the 2021 Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health conducted between February 1 and May 7, 2021 (N = 8,032). Self-reported changes in household income were categorized as decreased, increased, or no change (reference category). Weighted multinomial logistic regression models were estimated while adjusting for sociodemographic, health, COVID-19-related, and community-level factors. Individuals reporting feelings of loneliness or social isolation were significantly more likely to report a decrease in household income relative to no change (relative risk ratio [RRR] = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.07–1.59). No significant association was observed between loneliness/social isolation and increased household income (RRR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.71–1.39). These findings suggest that loneliness and social isolation were closely linked to economic vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the importance of addressing social disconnection in future public health and socioeconomic interventions.