Work and Wellbeing among Arts Professionals in China during COVID-19 (August 2020 and October 2021)

This article explores the characteristics of arts professionals’ work and health during the COVID-19 pandemic in China and how these relate to measures of mental and social wellbeing. Findings from two separate samples of arts professionals (Phase 1: August 2020, N = 500; Phase 2: October 2021, N = 500) using the HEartS Professional: China survey suggest that approximately half of the respondents experienced financial hardship as a result of the pandemic (58%, phase 2), were more anxious (47%, phase 2), and lonelier (43%, phase 2) than before. In regression models, better self-rated health was associated with higher mental health and social connectedness scores and lower depression and loneliness scores in both phases. More physical activity during the last month was associated with higher mental health and social connectedness in at least one phase. While rates of anxiety and loneliness were lower than in an earlier HEartS Professional Survey in the United Kingdom, some associations in the regression models, such as for health and physical activity during the last month, were similar. Longitudinal and international research on work, wellbeing, and retention of arts professionals is important for public policy and understanding variability across social and cultural contexts and systems.