Women reported decreased happiness during COVID-19 pandemic

A recent study found that during the COVID-19 pandemic women, especially mothers, spent more time on tasks such as childcare and household chores than men.

In turn, time spent completing household chores was linked to lower well-being and decreased happiness during the pandemic.

During the pandemic, women, especially mothers, spent more time on tasks such as childcare and household chores.

To the extent that women spent more time on chores than men, they reported lower happiness.

These data represent one of the most rigorous investigations of gender differences in time use during the forced lockdowns created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and point toward individual differences that should be considered when designing policies now and post-COVID-19.