Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin.
School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin.
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2021 Feb 17;76(3):e116-e121. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbaa200.
The COVID-19 outbreak and associated physical distancing measures 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 associated with daily 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. Living alone was associated with more positive emotions concurrent with in-person contact. In contrast, phone contact was associated with higher levels of negative affect among those living alone, but not among those who live with others. Older adults who live alone were more likely to have contact with friends (rather than family).
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 may 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, possibly with nonfamily members.
COVID-19 疫情及其相关的社交距离措施改变了大多数老年人的社交世界，但独居者可能受到的影响更大。本研究探讨了在大流行期间独居与老年人的日常社交接触和情绪健康之间的关系。
年龄在 69 岁及以上的成年人（N=226）完成了一项简短的调查，评估他们的居住状况、与不同社交伙伴的社交接触（面对面、通过电话、通过电子方式）以及前一天早上、下午和晚上的情绪。
独居的老年人面对面与他人接触的可能性较小，也不太可能获得或提供帮助。独居与面对面接触时的积极情绪有关。相比之下，对于独居者来说，电话接触与更高水平的负面情绪有关，但对于与他人同住的人来说则没有。独居的老年人更有可能与朋友（而不是家人）保持联系。
研究结果表明，与与他人同住的老年人相比，独居的老年人在 COVID-19 疫情期间可能对社交接触更为敏感。面对面接触可能带来电话接触无法提供的独特益处，这表明大流行期间的可能干预措施可能通过安全的面对面接触效果最佳，可能与非家庭成员一起。
