Living Alone During COVID-19: Social Contact and Emotional Well-Being among Older Adults
Innovation in Aging
; 4(Supplement_1):951-951, 2020.
Article
in English
| Oxford Academic | ID: covidwho-990660
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 outbreak and the associated physical distancing measures dramatically 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 related to 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, and reported less positive emotion the prior day than those who lived with others. Living alone was associated with more positive emotions concurrent with in-person contact. In contrast, phone contact was related to higher levels of negate affect among those living alone, but not among those who live with others. 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 appears to 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.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
Oxford Academic
Language:
English
Journal:
Innovation in Aging
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS