An Umbrella Review of Quality of Life Among the General Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has had widespread effects on quality of life (QoL). This umbrella review aimed to synthesise review-level evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on QoL across the general population, including children, adolescents, adults, and older people. Methods: A systematic search of databases (MEDLINE (PubMed); EBSCOHost; Scopus; Google Scholar) and review repositories was conducted to identify systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and scoping reviews published between 2019 and 2025. Eligible reviews (2019–2025, English, peer-reviewed) included narrative, systematic and meta-analytic syntheses of quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods evidence examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on quality of life in the general population, using validated QoL measures. The review followed Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for umbrella reviews, with data synthesised narratively by QoL domain and population group. Results: Nine reviews met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 272 primary studies. Most reported declines in QoL across psychological, physical, and social domains. Children and adolescents experienced reductions in emotional and social functioning. Working-age adults reported psychological strain linked to economic and health-related stressors, while older adults were vulnerable to isolation and reduced social QoL. Environmental and structural factors also influenced QoL. Sociodemographic disparities were observed, with lower QoL reported among women, younger individuals, and those with lower socioeconomic status. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with substantial declines in QoL across population groups, shaped by psychological, social, and structural factors. Findings highlight the importance of addressing social inequalities and enhancing resilience in future public health crises