The adverse financial and psychological impact of Covid-19 on household heads in South Africa

The impact of the pandemic has diminished, and while it is still present, it no longer causes the same degree of societal disruption as before. The nature of this disruption has also shifted. Considering the psychosocial and economic disruption triggered by COVID-19, this study explores the adverse financial consequences of COVID-19 restrictions and its mental health impact on household heads. The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional survey research design. A questionnaire was distributed to a nationally representative sample of individuals ( N = 1580) through computer-assisted telephone interviewing and self-completion. From this dataset, 550 household heads who were employed before the implementation of COVID-19 regulations were selected for inclusion in this study. Findings reveal that while there were no discernible gender differences in terms of financial distress experienced during COVID-19, females were more prone to psychological distress compared to males during this period. These results offer insights into gender disparities concerning the mental health and economic repercussions of COVID-19. Policy initiatives and interventions should consciously address the specific needs of females, aiming not only to mitigate the current pandemic’s impact but also to fortify resilience against potential future crises.