The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Lifestyle with the Mediating Role of Cultural Capital: A Study in Golestan Province
Keywords:
COVID-19, Lifestyle, Cultural Capital, Golestan Province.Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in the lifestyle of citizens in Golestan Province, with an emphasis on the mediating role of cultural capital. This study was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-correlational in terms of methodology and was conducted using structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of all individuals aged 18 years and older residing in Golestan Province in 2023. From this population, 400 participants were selected using Cochran’s formula and a stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using a researcher-developed Lifestyle Questionnaire (40 items), a Cultural Capital Questionnaire (25 items), and a demographic information form. The validity of the instruments was confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis, and their reliability was established using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients (0.89 for lifestyle and 0.85 for cultural capital). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24. The findings indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with significant changes in various dimensions of individuals’ lifestyles. Furthermore, the results of structural equation modeling demonstrated that cultural capital played a significant mediating role in the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and lifestyle. Specifically, individuals with higher levels of cultural capital were better able to manage lifestyle changes resulting from pandemic conditions in a more adaptive manner. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that cultural capital, as an important social resource, plays a crucial role in shaping individuals’ responses to the social and behavioral consequences of pandemics. Therefore, strengthening different dimensions of cultural capital through social and cultural policymaking may contribute to improving lifestyle quality and enhancing social resilience during times of crisis.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mohammad Hossein Montazeri (Author); Rahmatollah Amirahmadi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
