An 18-month follow-up of the Covid-19 psychology research consortium study panel: Survey design and fieldwork procedures for Wave 6.

OBJECTIVES: Established in March 2020, the C19PRC Study monitors the psychological and socio-economic impact of the pandemic in the UK and other countries. This paper describes the protocol for Wave 6 (August-September 2021). METHODS: The survey assessed: COVID-19 related experiences; experiences of common mental health disorders; psychological characteristics; and social and political attitudes. Adult participants from any previous wave (N = 3170) were re-invited, and sample replenishment procedures helped manage attrition. Weights were calculated using a survey raking algorithm to ensure the on-going original panel (from baseline) was nationally representative in terms of gender, age, and household income, amongst other factors. RESULTS: 1643 adults were re-interviewed at Wave 6 (51.8% retention rate). Non-participation was higher younger adults, those born outside UK, and adults living in cities. Of the adults recruited at baseline, 54.3% (N = 1100) participated in Wave 6. New respondent (N = 415) entered the panel at this wave, resulting in cross-sectional sample for Wave 6 of 2058 adults. The raking procedure re-balanced the longitudinal panel to within 1.3% of population estimates for selected socio-demographic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: This paper outlines the growing strength of the publicly available C19PRC Study data for COVID-19-related interdisciplinary research.

Factors of the resilience of small businesses under external shocks in Russia (based on the longitudinal study data)

Goal: this article analyzes the impact of a number of factors of a different nature on the financial and economic "resilience" of the business of Russian small entrepreneurs during the period of external shocks (Pandemic, situation across Ukraine). Methodology: the empirical base of the papers consist of the data of five waves of small business longitudinal study (initial number - 750 people), implemented in 2021-2022 by the Foundation "Public Opinion". To analyze the panel data, multinomial logistical regression with fixed effects was chosen (FE-model). Findings: the article shows that: the age of the business is not a significant factor that can explain the resilience of the business reaction to external shocks;the larger the market, the higher the likelihood that the business will either be sustainably developing even during shocks, or will perform resiliently under external shocks;opportunity driven motivation is more likely to promote resilience than necessity driven motivation, and is more often typical for entrepreneurs whose businesses are even growing under external shocks;the use of innovations does not lead to business resilience under external shocks - at least on the materials of the available panel of respondents. Originality and contribution: the paper's contribution to the existing literature consists of following. First, it is the first attempt to differentiate several factors which presumably might affect SMEs resilient reaction on external shocks taking the dynamics of their behavior, but not basing on the data of a one-time study. It came out that neither the age of business, nor the use of innovative solutions have any prolonged impact on it. Moreover, the share of resilient businesses led by entrepreneurs driven by the opportunity to increase their income is similar to those necessity driven entrepreneurs, while IDO entrepreneurs it is much higher. The finding that the volume of the market is positively connected with the resilience during shocks confirms the importance of studying the effects of the volume of businesses' operations on its stable performance. The limitation of the study is as a relatively short period of observation (July 2021 - July 2022).

Pandemic Depression: COVID-19 and the Mental Health of the Self-Employed: ET&P

We investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-employed people's mental health. Using representative longitudinal survey data from Germany, we reveal differential effects by gender: whereas self-employed women experienced a substantial deterioration in their mental health, self-employed men displayed no significant changes up to early 2021. Financial losses are important in explaining these differences. In addition, we find larger mental health responses among self-employed women who were directly affected by government-imposed restrictions and bore an increased childcare burden due to school and daycare closures. We also find that self-employed individuals who are more resilient coped better with the crisis.

Fake news in a time of plague: Exploring individuals' online information management in the COVID-19 era

Online health information is critical during pandemics. Previous research has focused on examining antecedents or consequences of particular information behaviors (e.g., seeking, sharing), but the process by which one information behavior influences or transforms into other information behaviors remains poorly understood. Guided by theories of information behavior and the literature on online misinformation, this study proposes an interaction model of online information behaviors that theorizes relationships among online information scanning, misinformation exposure, misinformation elaboration, information sharing, and information avoidance. Conducting a two-wave representative panel survey in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 1501), we found that online information scanning at Wave 1 had a direct, positive impact on misinformation exposure and information sharing at Wave 2, while it did not have an impact on information avoidance at Wave 2. Additionally, misinformation exposure was positively related to both information sharing and information avoidance at Wave 2. Importantly, we underlined that evaluations of crisis-related misinformation are aided by misinformation elaboration, which plays a moderating role in catalyzing appropriate information behaviors. Results of this study could help scholars and practitioners propose evidence-based interventions for enhancing the public's ability to manage crisis information on the Internet in times of heightened uncertainty. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd

Stability and change in genetic and environmental influences on depressive symptoms in response to COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The rapid spread of the new Coronavirus and the consequent restrictions to contain transmission generated an unprecedented psychological impact on the general population. The Italian Twin Registry performed a longitudinal study to investigate to what extent genetic and environmental influences contributed to changes in depressive symptoms. Methods: Data from adult twins were collected. All participants completed an online questionnaire including the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) just before (February 2020) and immediately after the Italian lockdown (June 2020). Genetic modeling based on Cholesky decomposition was used to estimate the role of genetic (A) and both shared (C) and unshared (E) environmental factors in the observed longitudinal course of depressive symptoms. Results: Longitudinal genetic analysis was based on 348 twin pairs (215 monozygotic and 133 dizygotic pairs) with a mean age of 42.6 years (range 18-93 years). An AE Cholesky model provided heritability estimates for depressive symptoms of 0.24 and 0.35 before and after the lockdown period, respectively. Under the same model, the observed longitudinal trait correlation (0.44) was approximately equally contributed by genetic (46%) and unshared environmental (54%) influences, while longitudinal environmental correlation was lower than genetic correlation (0.34 and 0.71, respectively). Conclusions: Although the heritability of depressive symptoms was rather stable across the targeted time window, different environmental as well as genetic factors seemed to act before and after the lockdown, which suggests possible gene-environment interaction.

Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on household diet diversity in rural Bihar, India: a longitudinal survey.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted livelihoods and diets across the world. This study aimed to assess changes in household diet diversity and food consumption between the pre-COVID-19 period (December 2019-January 2020) and during the lockdown (March-May 2020), and to identify the socio-economic characteristics that determine these changes in rural Bihar, India. METHODS: Households that had provided their phone numbers in the pre-COVID-19 household survey (n = 1797) were contacted for interviews during the lockdown telephonic survey in a longitudinal survey in two districts (Gaya and Nalanda) in Bihar. In total, 939 households were interviewed. Using data on food consumption from both surveys, 876 households were included in the analysis. Food and Agriculture Organization's household diet diversity score (HDDS) was used to compare diet diversity between the pre-COVID-19 period and during the lockdown. Logistic regression was used to identify factors affecting household diet diversity and food consumption in the study households. RESULTS: Low diet diversity increased from 51.6% (95% CI 48.3-54.9) to 75.8% (95% CI 73.0-78.6) from the pre-COVID-19 to the lockdown period. Reduced food consumption was reported across all foods with nearly a quarter of the households reporting reduced consumption of fruits (27%), pulses (25%) and cereals (21%). Nearly 60% and above reported stopping consumption of nutrient-rich foods such as chicken, fish and eggs although the population was predominantly non-vegetarian. Logistic regression analysis revealed that taking a loan from neighbours/relatives (OR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.3-2.5) and belonging to lower social groups (OR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.1-2.9) increased odds of low HDDS. While those possessing ration cards had lower odds of reduced consumption of all food items, it was not associated with stopping consumption of any food item. In an unadjusted analysis, receipt of cash transfer during lockdown was also not associated with diet diversity (OR = 1.2; 95% CI 0.9-1.7). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 has impacted the consumption of nutrient-rich foods among already low-income rural households in India. Maintaining diet diversity among socio-economically vulnerable households during periods when food consumption is most threatened by shocks such as COVID-19 would need sustained government support in terms of social protection coverage and benefit transfers in rural communities.

COVI-Prim Longitudinal Survey: Experiences of Primary Care Physicians During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: General practitioners (GPs) are the mainstay of primary care and play a critical role in pandemics. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, this international study aimed to explore changes in the workload of general practitioners, as well as their interactions with patients and colleagues, and their self-confidence and concerns. Methods: An online survey was conducted among GPs in Austria and Germany. Participants were asked to answer a basic questionnaire and participate in a subsequent longitudinal survey containing closed and open-ended items. All data were pseudonymized. Results: Overall, 723 general practitioners from Austria and Germany took part in the longitudinal survey over a period of 12 weeks (April 3-July 2, 2020). The majority of GPs had less direct contact with patients at the beginning of the survey (96 vs. 49% at the end of the study period). At first, doctors were mainly concerned with pandemic-related issues and had to care for the patients of GP colleagues that were in quarantine, which meant they had less time for routine work such as screenings and treating chronic diseases. Over the survey period, GPs' self-confidence increased and their concerns about income loss decreased. Conclusions: Following a difficult initial phase when protective equipment and information were lacking, physicians in primary care adapted quickly to new situations. Experience with telemedicine should help them face future challenges and may help prevent a decline in the delivery of routine health care and care for chronically ill patients. Registration: Trial registration at the German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00021231.

In-person, pick up or delivery? Evolving patterns of household spending behavior through the early reopening phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Consumer reactions to COVID-19 pandemic disruptions have been varied, including modifications in spending frequency, amount, product categories and delivery channels. This study analyzes spending data from a sample of 720 U.S. households during the start of deconfinement and early vaccine rollout to understand changes in spending and behavior one year into the pandemic. This paper finds that overall spending is similar to pre-pandemic levels, except for a 28% decline in prepared food spending. More educated and higher income households with children have shifted away from in-person spending, whereas politically conservative respondents are more likely to shop in-person and via pickup.

The Factors Associated With Telehealth Use and Avoidance During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Survey.

BACKGROUND: Social distancing requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic saw a rapid increase in the delivery of telehealth consultations as an alternative to face-to-face health care services. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to assess the use and acceptability of telehealth during the early stages of the pandemic and identify factors associated with telehealth avoidance during this period. METHODS: Data were obtained from waves 4 and 7 of a longitudinal survey designed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and behavior of a representative sample of Australian adults. Participants reported on their use or avoidance of telehealth during the assessment period, as well as the mode of telehealth used and acceptability. RESULTS: Approximately 30% of participants reported using telehealth during the assessment periods, with the most common telehealth modality being the telephone. Acceptance of telehealth was generally high and was higher among those who used telehealth compared with those who did not. Approximately 18% of participants reported avoiding health care due to telehealth. Across assessment waves, avoidance was associated with younger age, speaking a language other than or in addition to English, having a current medical diagnosis, and lower levels of telehealth acceptability. CONCLUSIONS: While most participants in this study were accepting of telehealth services, there remain barriers to use, especially among those from particular sociodemographic groups. At a population level, avoidance of health services in nearly one in five adults may have considerable long-term impacts on morbidity and potentially mortality. Targeted efforts to promote engagement with telehealth services are critical if these adverse outcomes are to be avoided, particularly during periods when access to face-to-face services may be limited.

Non-participation to a longitudinal and interventional survey on the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers (PSYCOVER) in France

Introduction: We conducted a national longitudinal survey among healthcare workers in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, (1) to assess mental health and (2) to describe the results of an intervention to improve capacity of resilience. Non-participation is rarely studied despite being an important methodological matter when performing studies on mental health. Objective(s): The study aims to describe and identify the factors associated with non-participation of healthcare workers to the intervention part of a national longitudinal study on the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method(s): Participants were recruited from April to October 2021 via an Internet link widely disseminated. Data collected include participant' socio-demographic, occupational and working conditions, general health, professional burnout and mental health. The intervention proposed the use of tools for self-management of stress and resilience (PsySTART-Responder and Anticipate.Plan.DeterTM program). A robust Poisson regression was used to identify factors associated with non-participation. Result(s): Among 724 participants, 41% participated to the intervention part. Factors associated to non-participation to the intervention were to work with few or no COVID-19 patients, and low scores in the anxiety scale. Social determinants, occupational characteristics or general health were not associated with non-participation. Conclusion(s): Our study provides a better understanding of the participation of healthcare workers that was not frequently studied. The results logically suggest lower participation among those with better mental health and not directly concerned with management of COVID-19 patients. Non-participation to the intervention was not associated with social factors, which is an argument in favour of using such a design/intervention in a socially heterogeneous population.

Satisfaction with Covid-19 Measures and Financial Expectations in Turkey

With the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, many countries and the World Health Organization (WHO) began to take urgent measures to control the disease and its effects. This article explains and evaluates satisfaction with the measures taken by Turkey and WHO against COVID-19 and the impact of the pandemic on financial prospects. The level of satisfaction and financial expectations of Turkish citizens towards COVID-19 were compared with Chi-square analysis in terms of age, gender, education, social class, and occupations. According to the results of the analysis among Turkish citizens, individuals over the age of 56 and those in the middle class differ significantly from others in terms of satisfaction with the measures taken by the government. In terms of satisfaction with the measures taken by WHO, the middle class, high school graduates, and skilled workers aged 26-35 are proportionally more satisfied than others. Moreover, the difference in these categories was statistically significant (p<0.05). Categories of gender, social class, and occupation show statistically significant differences in terms of those who expect a serious impact of Covid-19 on the personal financial situation of individuals. Among those who think that the country's economy will be seriously affected, education, social class, and occupation categories show statistically significant differences (p<0.05). Turkey has taken many radical economic, administrative, and legal measures, especially in the field of health, to combat COVID-19. While the measures taken by the government were received with general approval, satisfaction with the measures taken by the World Health Organization was found to be lower. The expectation is high that COVID-19 will have a serious financial impact, however, statistically significant differences were found between social classes in the analysis in terms of both satisfaction and financial expectations (p<0.05).

Burnout among hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic: Longitudinal results from the international Cope-Corona survey study.

OBJECTIVE: Long-term changes in burnout and its predictors in hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated in an international study. METHODS: Two online surveys were distributed to hospital staff in seven countries (Germany, Andorra, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Romania, Iran) between May and October 2020 (T1) and between February and April 2021 (T2), using the following variables: Burnout (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization), job function, age, gender, and contact with COVID-19 patients; individual resources (self-compassion, sense of coherence, social support) and work-related resources and demands (support at the workplace, risk perception, health and safety at the workplace, altruistic acceptance of risk). Data were analyzed using linear mixed models repeated measures, controlled for age. RESULTS: A total of 612 respondents were included (76% women). We found an increase in burnout from T1 to T2. Burnout was high among personnel with high contact with COVID-19 patients. Individual factors (self-compassion, sense of coherence) and work-related factors (support at the workplace, risk perception, health and safety at the workplace) showed associations with burnout. Low health and safety at the workplace at T1 was associated with an increase in emotional exhaustion at T2. Men showed an increase in depersonalization if they had much contact with COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSION: Burnout represents a potential problematic consequence of occupational contact with COVID-19 patients. Special attention should be paid to this group in organizational health management. Self-compassion, sense of coherence, support at the workplace, risk perception, and health and safety at the workplace may be important starting points for interventions. REGISTRATION: Müller, M. M. (2020, August 30). Cope-Corona: Identifying and strengthening personal resources of hospital staff to cope with the Corona pandemic. Open Science Foundation.

Increasing Vaccination: Psychological Characteristics of COVID-19 Vaccine Advocates, Converts, and Resisters in Hong Kong.

This study uses longitudinal data to profile psychological characteristics of COVID-19 vaccine advocates, resisters, and converts. We conducted a two-wave longitudinal survey (Nwave1 = 3190, Nwave2 = 2193) in Hong Kong using stratified quota sampling. Among those who completed both survey waves, 458 (30.5%) were classified as vaccine advocates, 295 (19.7%) were vaccine resisters, and 621 (41.4%) were vaccine converts (who shifted away from hesitancy). Compared to advocates, resisters were more likely to be female, those without children, between 40 and 49 years old, democratic voters, and those with poor health. Highly educated individuals, non-democrats, and those in good health were more likely to convert from hesitancy to acceptance. Public trust in authorities and confidence in vaccine were the primary factors related to vaccine uptake. Those who were more confident in vaccine, those who increased in information consumption and risk perceptions towards the pandemic, and those who decreased in their trust of health professionals were more likely to convert. Our study complements the emerging global picture of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance by focusing on changes in vaccine hesitancy during the pandemic.

Pandemic fatigue or enduring precautionary behaviours? Canadians' long-term response to COVID-19 public health measures.

The long-term dynamics of COVID-19 disease incidence and public health measures may impact individuals' precautionary behaviours as well as support for measures. The objectives of this study were to assess longitudinal changes in precautionary behaviours and support for public health measures. Survey data were collected online from 1030 Canadians in each of 5 cycles in 2020: June 15-July 13; July 22-Aug 8; Sept 7-15; Oct 14-21; and Nov 12-17. Precautionary behaviour increased over the study period in the context of increasing disease incidence. When controlling for the stringency of public health measures and disease incidence, mixed effects logistic regression models showed these behaviours did not significantly change over time. Odds ratios for avoiding contact with family and friends ranged from 0.84 (95% CI 0.59-1.20) in September to 1.25 (95% CI 0.66-2.37) in November compared with July 2020. Odds ratios for attending an indoor gathering ranged from 0.86 (95% CI 0.62-1.20) in August to 1.71 (95% CI 0.95-3.09) in October compared with July 2020. Support for non-essential business closures increased over time with 2.33 (95% CI 1.14-4.75) times higher odds of support in November compared to July 2020. Support for school closures declined over time with lower odds of support in September (OR 0.66 [95% CI 0.45-0.96]), October (OR 0.48 [95% CI 0.26-0.87]), and November (OR 0.39 [95% CI 0.19-0.81]) compared with July 2020. In summary, respondents' behaviour mirrored government guidance between July and November 2020 and supported individual precautionary behaviour and limitations on non-essential businesses over school closures.

Strengthened belief in vaccine effectiveness predicted increased COVID-19 vaccination intention and behaviour: Results from a nationally representative longitudinal survey of U.S. adults from July 2020 to April/May 2021.

Vaccine hesitancy remains a major barrier to ending the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States (U.S.) and an important target for communication interventions. Using longitudinal survey data, we examined whether baseline levels and changes in beliefs about the COVID-19 vaccines predicted change in vaccination intention/behaviour. Repeated measures were collected from a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (n = 665) in July 2020 and April/June 2021. Linear regressions associated change in COVID-19 vaccination intention/behaviour with changes in beliefs about the COVID-19 vaccines' safety, effectiveness in protecting others from infection, and effectiveness in protecting oneself from infection. Changes in beliefs from T1 to T2 were significantly associated with change in vaccination outcomes for all belief types (safety B = 0.39, SE = 0.07; effectiveness for self B = 0.38, SE = 0.09; effectiveness for others B = 0.43, SE = 0.07). Cross-lagged models suggested a reciprocal causal relationship between pro-vaccine beliefs and vaccination intention/behaviour: Intention to get vaccinated at T1 predicted strengthened safety and effectiveness beliefs at T2. T1 effectiveness beliefs predicted T2 vaccination intention/behaviour, though T1 safety beliefs did not. Communication interventions highlighting the protective benefits of COVID-19 vaccines may be particularly successful in reducing vaccine hesitancy.

When trust is not enough. A longitudinal analysis of political trust and political competence during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland

In this study, we explored the longitudinal relationship of political trust and subjective political competence during the COVID-19 outbreak. We also examined how levels of political trust and political competence were associated with compliance with COVID-19 recommendations. We used three-wave panel data including 2,205 observations (N = 735) to study changes within and between individuals from 2017 to 2020. The last round of the survey was conducted at the peak of the first wave of COVID-19. The measures included political trust, subjective political competence, political interest, multiple background variables, and measures for compliance with the social distancing recommendations. We found that Finns' political trust increased significantly during the first wave of COVID-19. The between-individuals analysis suggested that political competence was negatively associated with trust. The results also indicated that citizens' compliance with COVID-19 recommendations was directly linked to political trust but depended also on the interaction between competence and trust.

Tracking the psychological and socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: A methodological report from Wave 5 of the COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium (C19PRC) Study.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium (C19PRC) Study was established in March 2020 to monitor the psychological and socio-economic impact of the pandemic in the UK and other countries. This paper describes the protocol for Wave 5 (March-April 2021). METHODS: The survey assessed: COVID-19 related experiences; experiences of common mental health disorders; psychological characteristics; and social and political attitudes. Adults who participated in any previous wave (N = 4949) were re-invited to participate. Weights were calculated using a survey raking algorithm to ensure the longitudinal panel was nationally representative in terms of gender, age, and household income, amongst other factors. RESULTS: Overall, 2520 adults participated. A total of 2377 adults who participated in the previous survey wave (November-December 2020) were re-interviewed at Wave 5 (61.5% retention rate). Attrition between these two waves was predicted by younger age, lower household income, children living in the household, and treatment for mental health difficulties. Of the adults recruited into the C19PRC study at baseline, 57.4% (N = 1162) participated in Wave 5. The raking procedure re-balanced the longitudinal panel to within 1.5% of population estimates for selected socio-demographic characteristics. CONCLUSION: This paper outlines the growing strength of the publicly available C19PRC Study data for COVID-19-related interdisciplinary research.

Changes in suicidal ideation and related influential factors in college students during the COVID-19 lockdown in China.

This study aims to investigate the patterns and predictors of suicidal ideation (SI) trajectories among college students during extended lockdowns in China. A three-wave survey was conducted during the outbreak period, remission period, and prevention period of COVID-19. Distinct patterns of SI trajectories were established by grouping respondents based on temporal changes in SI. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to examine predictors for delay-occurrence and persistent SI. From a total of 35,516 college students included in the study, rates of SI increased significantly from T1 to T2 (7.3% v. 9.4%) and from T2 to T3 (9.4% v. 12.6%). Five SI trajectories were observed: resilient (80.5% of the sample), recovery (3.6%), relapsing/remitting (4.8%), persistent dysfunction (2.3%) and delayed dysfunction (8.7%). Further, junior-year undergraduates, postgraduates, only-child families, mental health history, confirmed cases in the community of residence, depressive symptoms, and negative coping strategies were significant predictors of distinct SI trajectories, whereas greater social support, more positive coping strategies, and better family functioning were associated with a lower probability of developing delayed or persistent dysfunction during the lockdown period. These findings suggest that continuous preventive and intervening measures for college students during COVID-19 lockdowns are of global importance, particularly among vulnerable groups who experience the most distress.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Japanese Youths: Analyses of Longitudinal Survey Data

This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the attitudes and mental health of Japanese youths, using data from two longitudinal surveys which followed the trajectories through secondary education, tertiary education, and transition from school to work. A state of emergency such as a pandemic is considered to maintain or, make matters worse, leading to a deterioration of existing inequalities. Most of the participants in these surveys attended tertiary educational institutions, or completed higher education. The authors examined their attitudes toward campus life or changes in mental health, considering their life stages. Generally, students attending tertiary educational institutions consider school life as a high risk exposure to the COVID-19 contagion, and female students and those having poor mental health are more likely to be cautious about the disease. Female students also tend to have negative attitudes toward school life. Additionally, with regard to participants who completed higher education, the gap in mental health widened between genders, although the changes in mental health before and after the pandemic was not statistically significant. © 2021 Japanese Association for Mathematical Sociology. All rights reserved.

School Coping with Covid-19 Pandemic: Initial Analyses of Nationwide Surveys Targeting Elementary and Lower Secondary Schools in Japan

This article explores impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on elementary and junior high schools in Japan through preliminary analyses of nation-wide surveys conducted under the commission of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). After explaining the outline of the research project, this paper elucidates outcomes of preliminary analyses of the first wave of the school survey. The analyses reveal that over the school closure period in 2020, schools identified communication difficulties between teachers and students and their parents as well as those between students in each school. Although those communication problems were substantially mitigated in most schools after the end of school closure, the increasing workload of teachers has been realized as a serious problem since the reopening of schools to date. Whereas the similar patterns in problem recognition were observed, those communication problems are more seriously recognized in the three major metropolitan areas than in the other regions, despite that the same problems occurred in any regions to some extent. The paper concludes that results of the comprehensive research are highly expected to provide meaningful empirical evidence for policy making for the central and local governments to support schools and students under the pandemic. © 2021 Japanese Association for Mathematical Sociology. All rights reserved.