Purpose
This rapid evidence review was commissioned and undertaken by the Ministry of Social Development to aid an all of government COVID-19 response planning and delivery. The review identifies the likely immediate and medium-term social and psychosocial impacts of COVID-19 in Aotearoa New Zealand and responses to mitigate these impacts, and discusses how the impacts vary across different population groups.
This evidence review was produced at speed, between late March and late April 2020, for the purpose of informing the all-of-government COVID-19 response plan. It was not intended as an academic publication. This review was started as New Zealand entered Level 4 lockdown and completed as New Zealand moved into Alert Level 3, before it was known how long New Zealand would remain at each Alert Level. The literature and evidence cited was current at the time of review (late April 2020) but since then newer literature, evidence and data has emerged. This review will not be updated.
Methodology
An inductive approach was taken to identify immediate impacts and affected population groups from a literature review and then impacts were categorised into key impact domains. Medium-term impacts are likely to be an extension or exacerbation of immediate-term impacts and are dependent on the social and economic conditions under which Aotearoa New Zealand will be operating for the next 12 months (to April 2021).
Key Results
The review identifies the likely immediate and medium-term social and psychosocial impacts of COVID-19 in Aotearoa New Zealand and responses to mitigate these impacts, and discusses how the impacts vary across different population groups.
The range of likely immediate social and psychosocial impacts identified from the literature have been grouped into four domains:
- Social disconnection, isolation and crowding
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Family violence and domestic violence
- Child wellbeing, child development and child protection
Before considering the social and psychosocial impacts within the four domain headings listed above, the evidence review first considers the impacts on Māori as well as Māori strengths and resilience.