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Can Digital Communication Protect Against Depression for Older Adults With Hearing and Vision Impairment During COVID-19?
Zhang, Amanda; Wroblewski, Kristen E; Imbery, Terence E; McClintock, Martha K; Hawkley, Louise C; Pinto, Jayant M.
  • Zhang A; Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  • Wroblewski KE; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  • Imbery TE; Department of Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  • McClintock MK; Department of Comparative Human Development, The Institute for Mind and Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  • Hawkley LC; NORC at University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  • Pinto JM; Department of Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci ; 78(4): 629-638, 2023 04 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2288460
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES:

During social isolation imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, older adults with impaired hearing and vision potentially experienced more communication challenges, increasing their risk for poor mental health. Digital communication (e.g., video calls, e-mail/text/social media) may alleviate in-person isolation and protect against depression. We addressed this question using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a nationally representative panel study of community-dwelling older adults.

METHOD:

Two thousand five hundred fifty-eight adults aged 55 and older comprised the analytic sample. Interviewer rating at baseline (2015-2016) classified those with vision impairment (VI) or hearing impairment (HI). Olfactory impairment (OI) was measured by objective testing. During COVID-19 (2020-2021), respondents reported how often they contacted nonhousehold family or friends and whether this was by phone, e-mail/text/social media, video, or in-person. They also quantified the frequency of depressive feelings.

RESULTS:

Older adults with VI or HI but not OI at baseline were significantly less likely to report regular use of video calling and e-mail/text/social media during the pandemic compared to those without impairment. Sensory impairments did not affect the frequency of phone or in-person communication. Adults with VI or HI were more likely to experience frequent depressive feelings during COVID-19. Video calls mitigated this negative effect of VI- and HI-associated depressive feelings in a dose-dependent manner.

DISCUSSION:

Among communication modalities, video calling had a protective effect against depressive feelings for people with sensory impairment during social isolation. Improving access to and usability of video communication for older adults with sensory impairment could be a strategy to improve their mental health.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Hearing Loss Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Aged / Humans Language: English Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Journal subject: Social Sciences / Geriatrics / Psychology Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Geronb

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Hearing Loss Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Aged / Humans Language: English Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Journal subject: Social Sciences / Geriatrics / Psychology Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Geronb