The Enabling Role of ICT to Mitigate the Negative Effects of Emotional and Social Loneliness of the Elderly during COVID-19 Pandemic

Carmen Llorente-Barroso, Olga Kolotouchkina and Luis Mañas-Viniegra
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Carmen Llorente-Barroso: Department of Applied Communication Studies, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Olga Kolotouchkina: Department of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising, University CEU San Pablo, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Luis Mañas-Viniegra: Department of Applied Communication Studies, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-19

Abstract: (1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially hard on the elderly owing to their particular vulnerability to the virus. Their confinement to prevent the spread of the virus resulted in social isolation, often linked to the unwanted loneliness that hinders their emotional well-being. The enabling capacity of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) to overcome the negative effects of this isolation requires special attention. The purpose of this research is to understand the impact of the use of ICT on the emotional well-being of elderly people during their confinement. (2) Methods: A qualitative exploration method based on four focus groups with elderly people aged 60 years or older and three in-depth personal interviews with experts in education of the elderly were carried out. (3) Results: Research results evidence a negative emotional impact of the confinement (lack of physical contact with their loved ones, fear and uncertainty, feeling of loneliness, sadness at the loss of family members) on the emotional well-being of study participants. Furthermore, the operational capacity of ICT to prevent infection, as well as their positive emotional and humanizing role in providing access to entertainment and hobbies, and in improving self-esteem was also acknowledged. (4) Conclusions: ICT have become a valuable ally for elderly people aged 60 years and older to mitigate the negative effects of social isolation and loneliness imposed by the confinement.

Keywords: elderly; unwanted loneliness; emotional well-being; social isolation; pandemic; COVID-19; ICT (Information and Communication Technology); digital communication; focus group (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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