ABSTRACT
It is important to understand the unique experiences and perspectives of older adults who were required to incorporate critical adjustments to behavior during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. An anonymous, cross sectional survey was administered online through Qualtrics Survey Software in June 2020. The results of this study found that older adults utilized different sources of information than younger adults;they were more likely to read the newspaper or listen to the radio, and less likely to rely on social media for information. Older respondents in this study reported coping with the COVID-19 outbreak better than younger respondents, were less likely to report that they were personally affected by the virus, and less likely to feel overwhelmed by the amount of information about COVID-19. The findings of this study highlight resilience in older adults not found in younger adults, and provide an important step in identifying policy and practice suggestions to reduce negative repercussions for older adults experiencing the current crisis, as well as future generations of older adults who might experience similar events.
ABSTRACT
It is a responsibility of national leadership to provide guidance and provisions to their citizens during a pandemic. National responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have greatly varied internationally. The purpose of this study was to compare how people in Canada and the USA coped to the COVID-19 pandemic, with an eye towards discerning if any differences relate to macro systems differences between the neighboring countries. Data were analyzed from an online, cross-sectional survey administered to people (N = 1405) living in Canada and the USA in June 2020. Significant results show that respondents from Canada were felt more prepared, adapted/coped better to the pandemic, had less life disruption, fewer challenges with healthcare and financially, and were personally less affected by the pandemic than respondents from the USA. Those from Canada also showed significant higher levels of support for both their national and provincial/state leadership and belief in the necessity of preventative measures than those in the USA. Respondents from the USA were more likely to use family and friends as a source of information and as a basis for their personal preventative practices, whereas those in Canada were more likely to follow the official government recommendations. There were no significant differences in methods of coping. These results support the need for a clear role of government and for government to respond to individuals in a way that promotes equity and social justice, and thus, ensuring human rights.
ABSTRACT
This study explored the relationship between alcohol and substance use in the general population during the early stages of COVID-19 as related to individual, family, and community stressors. A convenience sample of adults who resided in the USA and Canada was utilized. An online survey was conducted. Over one-third of the sample reported utilizing alcohol and substances as a means to cope during the pandemic. A linear regression revealed that use of social media as a source of information, being personally affected by COVID-19, experiencing child care challenges, and not being associated with a religious community were related to increased likeliness for alcohol and/or substance use. Future research should explore these concepts further within the general population.
ABSTRACT
This study explored people's compliance with recommended preventative measures during early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was administered in June 2020 in the USA and Canada (N = 1,405). Regression analysis found that when controlling for other factors, age and political ideology were significant predictors of compliance with preventative measures. A content analysis of narrative answers of compliance/noncompliance found that the majority of individuals intended to comply with preventative measures, with primary reasons as social responsibility, self-protection, and protection of family members. Reasons identified for not complying were viewing preventative practices as unnecessary, getting mixed messages from various sources about effectiveness, distrust in government and inability to comply. This study informs social workers on intervention strategies on micro, mezzo and macro levels of practice.