Psychological Health and Digital Social Participation of the Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Blekinge, Sweden—An Exploratory Study

Sarah Nauman Ghazi, Peter Anderberg, Johan Sanmartin Berglund, Jessica Berner and Ana Luiza Dallora
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Sarah Nauman Ghazi: Department of Health, Blekinge Institute of Technology, SE-371 79 Karlskrona, Sweden
Peter Anderberg: Department of Health, Blekinge Institute of Technology, SE-371 79 Karlskrona, Sweden
Johan Sanmartin Berglund: Department of Health, Blekinge Institute of Technology, SE-371 79 Karlskrona, Sweden
Jessica Berner: Department of Health, Blekinge Institute of Technology, SE-371 79 Karlskrona, Sweden
Ana Luiza Dallora: Department of Health, Blekinge Institute of Technology, SE-371 79 Karlskrona, Sweden

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 6, 1-11

Abstract: COVID-19 has affected the psychological health of older adults directly and indirectly through recommendations of social distancing and isolation. Using the internet or digital tools to participate in society, one might mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on psychological health. This study explores the social participation of older adults through internet use as a social platform during COVID-19 and its relationship with various psychological health aspects. In this study, we used the survey as a research method, and we collected data through telephonic interviews; and online and paper-based questionnaires. The results showed an association of digital social participation with age and feeling lack of company. Furthermore, in addition, to the increase in internet use in older adults in Sweden during COVID-19, we conclude that digital social participation is essential to maintain psychological health in older adults.

Keywords: gerontology; gerontechnology; aging; digital social participation; psychological health; COVID-19; public health; eHealth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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