Effect of Family Stress on Life Satisfaction Among Female Workers During the COVID-19 Epidemic in China: Exploring the Roles of Anxiety Symptoms and Age

Abstract Background: High level of life satisfaction (LS) means an individual’s positive evaluation of life, bringing a happy and upward attitude towards life, which is beneficial to physical and mental health. However, The LS of a particular group such as female workers has not yet been fully explored. The present study aimed to investigate the level of LS among female workers after the resumption of work during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in Jilin Province, China, and to further explore the potential mediating and moderating roles in the association between family stress and LS. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to August in 2020. A self-reported questionnaire including the background information, family stress, anxiety symptoms, and LS was used to collect information in this research. A total of 10,175 female workers completed questionnaires.Results: The results showed the LS score was 20.73±7.08. The family stress was negatively related to LS, and anxiety symptoms could partially mediate the effect of family stress on LS. Additionally, age moderated the relationship between family stress and LS, as well as the relationship between anxiety symptoms and LS.Conclusion: Our results indicated that the LS of female workers has declined due to the impact of the epidemic, and family stress impacted LS via anxiety symptoms. The effect of family stress on LS decreased as age increased. Overall, Interventions and preventions aiming to improve LS should thoroughly consider targeting these aspects and young female workers should be given special attention.