Loneliness, Wellbeing, and Social Activity in Scottish Older Adults Resulting from Social Distancing during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Simone A. Tomaz, Pete Coffee, Gemma C. Ryde, Bridgitte Swales, Kacey C. Neely, Jenni Connelly, Andrew Kirkland, Louise McCabe, Karen Watchman, Federico Andreis, Jack G. Martin, Ilaria Pina and Anna C. Whittaker
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Simone A. Tomaz: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Pete Coffee: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Gemma C. Ryde: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Bridgitte Swales: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Kacey C. Neely: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Jenni Connelly: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Andrew Kirkland: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Louise McCabe: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Karen Watchman: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Federico Andreis: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YR, UK
Jack G. Martin: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Ilaria Pina: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
Anna C. Whittaker: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-26

Abstract: This study examined the impact of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic on loneliness, wellbeing, and social activity, including social support, in Scottish older adults. A mixed methods online survey was used to examine these factors during social distancing mid-lockdown, July 2020. Participants were asked to state whether loneliness, wellbeing, social activity, and social support had changed since pre-social distancing, and to provide details of strategies used to keep socially active. A total of 1429 adults (84% aged 60+ years) living in Scotland took part. The majority reported that social distancing regulations made them experience more loneliness and less social contact and support. Loneliness during lockdown was higher than reported norms for this age group before the pandemic. A larger social network, more social contact, and better perceived social support seemed to be protective against loneliness and poor wellbeing. Positive coping strategies reported included increasing online social contact with both existing social networks and reconnecting with previous networks, as well as increasing contact with neighbours and people in the community. This underlines the importance of addressing loneliness and social support in older adults but particularly during situations where risk of isolation is high.

Keywords: loneliness; social support; social isolation; social network; wellbeing (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 (7)

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