Journal article
Living Alone During COVID-19: Social Contact and Emotional Well-being Among Older Adults
The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, Vol.76(3), pp.e116-E121
02/17/2021
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbaa200
PMCID: PMC7717423
PMID: 33196815
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak and associated physical distancing measures altered the social world for most older adults, but people who live alone may have been disproportionately affected. The current study examined how living alone was associated with daily social contact and emotional well-being among older adults during the pandemic.
Adults (N = 226) aged 69+ completed a brief survey assessing their living situation, social contact with different social partners (in person, by phone, electronically), and emotions during the morning, afternoon, and evening the prior day.
Older adults who live alone were less likely to see others in person or to receive or provide help. Living alone was associated with more positive emotions concurrent with in-person contact. In contrast, phone contact was associated with higher levels of negative affect among those living alone, but not among those who live with others. Older adults who live alone were more likely to have contact with friends (rather than family).
Findings suggest older adults who live alone may be more reactive to social contact during the COVID-19 outbreak than older adults who reside with others. In-person contact may confer distinct benefits not available via telephone contact, suggesting that possible interventions during the pandemic may work best with safe forms of in-person contact, possibly with nonfamily members.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Living Alone During COVID-19: Social Contact and Emotional Well-being Among Older Adults
- Creators
- Karen L Fingerman - The University of Texas at AustinYee To Ng - The University of Texas at AustinShiyang Zhang - The University of Texas at AustinKatherine Britt - The University of Texas at AustinGianna Colera - Texas State UniversityKira S Birditt - University of Michigan–Ann ArborSusan T Charles - University of California, Irvine
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, Vol.76(3), pp.e116-E121
- DOI
- 10.1093/geronb/gbaa200
- PMID
- 33196815
- PMCID
- PMC7717423
- ISSN
- 1079-5014
- eISSN
- 1758-5368
- Grant note
- P30 AG066614 / NIA NIH HHS R01 AG046460 / NIA NIH HHS P2C HD042849 / NICHD NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/17/2021
- Academic Unit
- Nursing; Center for Social Science Innovation
- Record Identifier
- 9984701721902771
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