Happiness Dynamics in the Age of Covid-19

This final chapter uses a panel sample spanning 2018 and the onset of Covid-19 in 2020. Over this interim, the distribution of happiness in America shifted significantly downward. The Covid-19 concern level was significantly associated with 2020 happiness, as well as a downward drop in happiness over 2018–2020. Network socializing also dropped but not significantly. Email use declined somewhat as television viewing rose. In 2020, the association of social class-happiness weakened considerably, and socializing-happiness was not statistically significant. The marriage effect on happiness remained clear and significant in the midst of Covid-19.