A qualitative study of living through the first New Zealand COVID-19 lockdown: Affordances, positive outcomes, and reflections

Abstract

This study thematically analyses free text responses from telephone interviews with 141 participants from the Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study (POIS-10/POIS-10 Māori) to explore their “lived experiences” of the COVID-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown in Aotearoa/New Zealand (NZ). Interviews occurred in March-April 2020, at which time, NZ underwent some of the most stringent COVID-19 public health measures internationally. This study provides “real time” insights into participants’ experiences and views during this time in NZ.Many participants experienced losses, limitations, and restrictions due to the COVID-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown. Nevertheless, positive outcomes and reflections were reported alongside, and sometimes in conjunction with, the negative. Although the lockdown was limiting for many participants, some highlighted that this unique environment facilitated certain affordances including positive experiences with work, supporting others, and being supported, family dynamics changing for the better, more free time and positive reflections such as enhanced feelings of unity, closeness to others and a sense of gratefulness.The identification of affordances facilitated by the lockdown environment has implications for future pandemic response management, as these may be leveraged by policymakers, health care practitioners and individuals, potentially resulting in more favorable outcomes in future lockdowns.