House purchase intention during pandemic COVID-19 in Surabaya, Indonesia

PurposeSince the COVID-19 occurred, large-scale social restriction (Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar-PSBB) has taken place, and that has led family members to carry out their activities at home. This condition impacts both directly and indirectly the intention of house purchase, as a result of lifestyle changes during the pandemic. A house now serves as a residence, office, as well as school. This study aims to determine the influences of physical attributes, neighborhood preferences, financial concerns, financial risk preferences, health risk preferences, and COVID anxiety towards house purchase intention.Design/methodology/approachThis associative study was carried out from February to May 2021 in the residents of Surabaya aged 20–34 years old as prospective first-home buyers, with relatives at risk of contracting COVID-19 (belong in the susceptible group or live with a family member who is prone to the COVID-19 virus, including having a comorbidity, elderly (= 60 years old), having a low immune system or autoimmune disease, obese). Data were gathered using online questionnaires from which 226 respondents were acquired. Data were analyzed using the PLS-SEM 3.0 technique.FindingsThe results showed that physical attributes, neighborhood preferences, financial concerns, financial risk preferences, and COVID anxiety significantly influence house purchase intention. Furthermore, neighborhood preferences, financial risk preferences, and COVID anxiety as moderating variables also significantly influence house purchase intention.Practical implicationsThis study was carried out in Surabaya as the second-largest city after Jakarta with the highest COVID-19 mortality rate, which is useful for exploring the lifestyle changes and property demand as a result of the pandemic;Developers gain a business opportunity by offering properties that are multifunction and health-oriented.Originality/valueThe COVID-19 pandemic becomes a trigger for a change in the property market that needs to be studied further.

House purchase intention during pandemic COVID-19 in Surabaya, Indonesia

Purpose Since the COVID-19 occurred, large-scale social restriction (Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar-PSBB) has taken place, and that has led family members to carry out their activities at home. This condition impacts both directly and indirectly the intention of house purchase, as a result of lifestyle changes during the pandemic. A house now serves as a residence, office, as well as school. This study aims to determine the influences of physical attributes, neighborhood preferences, financial concerns, financial risk preferences, health risk preferences, and COVID anxiety towards house purchase intention. Design/methodology/approach This associative study was carried out from February to May 2021 in the residents of Surabaya aged 20-34 years old as prospective first-home buyers, with relatives at risk of contracting COVID-19 (belong in the susceptible group or live with a family member who is prone to the COVID-19 virus, including having a comorbidity, elderly (= 60 years old), having a low immune system or autoimmune disease, obese). Data were gathered using online questionnaires from which 226 respondents were acquired. Data were analyzed using the PLS-SEM 3.0 technique. Findings The results showed that physical attributes, neighborhood preferences, financial concerns, financial risk preferences, and COVID anxiety significantly influence house purchase intention. Furthermore, neighborhood preferences, financial risk preferences, and COVID anxiety as moderating variables also significantly influence house purchase intention. Practical implications This study was carried out in Surabaya as the second-largest city after Jakarta with the highest COVID-19 mortality rate, which is useful for exploring the lifestyle changes and property demand as a result of the pandemic;Developers gain a business opportunity by offering properties that are multifunction and health-oriented. Originality/value The COVID-19 pandemic becomes a trigger for a change in the property market that needs to be studied further.

University Students' Mental Health and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from the UniCoVac Qualitative Study.

The worldwide spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in early 2020 affected all major sectors, including higher education. The measures to contain the spread of this deadly disease led to the closure of colleges and universities across the globe, disrupting the lives of millions of students and subjecting them to a new world of online learning. These sudden disturbances coupled with the demands of a new learning system and the experiences of living through a pandemic have placed additional strains on the mental health of university students. Research on university students' mental health, conducted during the pandemic, have found high levels of stress, anxiety and depression among students. In this qualitative study, we aimed to understand how pandemic experiences have affected student well-being by conducting in-depth interviews with 34 undergraduate students enrolled in a UK university. All interviews were conducted through Microsoft Teams and recorded with prior permission. Transcripts of recorded interviews were thematically analysed which identified two broad themes: (i) University students' mental health and well-being experiences during the pandemic; (ii) factors that influenced students' mental health and well-being. These factors were further distributed across six sub-themes: (a) isolation; (b) health and well-being; (c) bereavement; (d) academic concerns; (e) financial worries and; (f) support, coping, and resilience. Our study identifies the importance of mental health support to university students during pandemics and calls for measures to improve access to support services through these crisis points by universities. Findings can also inform students' mental health and risk assessments in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Left alone outside: A prospective observational cohort study on mental health outcomes among relatives of COVID-19 hospitalized patients.

Hospitalization due to COVID-19 bears many psychological challenges. While focusing on infected patients, their relatives are being largely neglected. Here, we investigated the mental health implications of hospitalization among relatives, over a one-month course. A single center study was conducted to assess relatives of COVID-19 patients during the first month from their admission to the hospital, and elucidate risk and protective factors for mental health deterioration. Ninety-one relatives of the first patients to be hospitalized in Israel were contacted by phone and screened for anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) at three time points (25-72 hours, 7-18 days, and one month). We found that anxiety and depression decreased significantly during the first month from their admission. Risk factors for deteriorated mental health at one month included feelings of mental exhaustion, financial concerns, and social disconnection. Being an ultra-orthodox was a protective factor for anxiety and depression but not for PTSS. Our findings emphasize the importance of addressing the mental health status of close relatives and adjust support for the unique setting of COVID-19.