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Confinement policies: controlling contagion without compromising mental health

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  • Ariadna García-Prado
  • Paula González
  • Yolanda F. Rebollo-Sanz

Abstract

A growing literature shows that confinement policies used by governments to slow COVID-19 transmission have negative impacts on mental health, but the differential effects of individual policies on mental health remain poorly understood. We used data from the COVID-19 questionnaire of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), which focuses on populations aged 50 and older, and the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker for 28 countries to estimate the effects of eight different confinement policies on three outcomes of mental health: insomnia, anxiety and depression. We applied robust machine learning methods to estimate the effects of interest. Our results indicate that closure of schools and public transportation, restrictions on domestic and international travel, and gathering restrictions did not worsen the mental health of older populations in Europe. In contrast, stay at home policies and workplace closures aggravated the three health outcomes analysed. Based on these findings, we close with a discussion of which policies should be implemented, intensified, or relaxed to control the spread of the virus without compromising the mental health of older populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Ariadna García-Prado & Paula González & Yolanda F. Rebollo-Sanz, 2025. "Confinement policies: controlling contagion without compromising mental health," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(33), pages 4844-4860, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:57:y:2025:i:33:p:4844-4860
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2024.2364100
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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