Understanding subjective well-being in urban emergencies: the role of time use and personality traits

Abstract Urban emergencies significantly disrupt the subjective well-being (SWB) of urban population, while limited research has explored how time-use patterns interact with personality traits to shape SWB in crisis contexts. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for effective urban management and community resilience. This study investigates the influence of time use and personality profiles on SWB during urban emergencies, using data from the Shanghai lockdown. We identify three distinct personality profiles (i.e., Positive, Introverted, and Sensitive) and examine their heterogeneous responses. Our findings reveal that key quality-of-life factors, including health perception, social connection, and community liveability, directly influence SWB. Furthermore, time-use patterns, such as outdoor activities, paid work, sleep, online socialising, entertainment, and offline leisure, significantly affect residents’ life quality and SWB. In addition, personality traits moderate these effects: Positive individuals are particularly sensitive to sleep duration, while Sensitive individuals experience greater well-being variations due to outdoor activities. By revisiting the interactions between time use, personality traits, and SWB, our findings offer evidence-based guidance for policymakers and urban planners. This knowledge advances the understanding of psychological adaptation during urban emergencies and provides a foundation for more targeted approaches to community welfare, thereby strengthening community resilience during future crises.