Social connection before and after the COVID-19 pandemic: results of the Belgian Health Interview Survey

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic required major preventive measures that had a substantial impact on social life. Since then, there has been concern for pandemic side-effects on social connection. While short-term increases in poor social connection have been observed during the pandemic, less is known about long-term consequences. Only a few studies have made comparisons of social connection before, during and after the pandemic, showing conflicting results. Some observed lasting decreases in social connection, while others observed recovery. Methods The current study aimed to assess changes in social connection, by comparing pre- and post-pandemic levels of social contact frequency, social support (measured with the Oslo Social Support Scale) and social satisfaction. Logistic regression was performed using cross-sectional data from the Belgian Health Interview Surveys, with a pre-pandemic measurement in 2018 (N = 8075) and a post-pandemic measurement in 2023–2024 (N = 4926) in the general Belgian population aged 15 years or older, and in separate sociodemographic subgroups. Results In the general population, there were no differences in social connection between the pre- and post-pandemic waves. However, stratified analyses showed lower post-pandemic social satisfaction in those with tertiary education and those living alone as compared to pre-pandemic levels. In addition, in 15 to 24 year-olds, the odds of poor social support were higher after the pandemic, as compared to before. Our findings argue for particular attention for the social connection of adolescents and young adults, and those living alone, both in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in anticipation of future pandemics. Additional research is needed to understand the post-pandemic drop in social satisfaction prevalence in those with tertiary education. Conclusions Taken together, this study contributes to longer-term insights on social connection in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, preparedness for future pandemics and particular points of concern for social connection in general.