Fuller Heather R, Huseth-Zosel Andrea, Hofmann Brittany, Van Vleet Bryce, Kinkade Emily, Carlson Shawn L, Sturn Emily
Department of Human Development and Family Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA.
Department of Public Health, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA.
Gerontologist. 2022 Sep 7;62(8):1160-1172. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnac030.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exposed older adults to increased health risks, yet social distancing precautions also heightened risks to their social well-being. This mixed-methods study explores changes in older adults' satisfaction with social engagement and interpersonal connections throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Midwestern sample of 76 older adults aged 70-97 completed a series of 4 interviews from March 2020 through April 2021 about their experiences with COVID-19 social distancing precautions. Participants reported social engagement satisfaction and frequency of contact with family and friends. Additionally, they responded to open-ended questions about social connection experiences.
Satisfaction with social engagement rebounded with significant increases across the year of the pandemic, whereas frequency of contact shifted from high remote contact early in the pandemic to greater in-person contact over time, with nuanced distinctions between family and friends. Qualitative thematic analysis identified themes including: (1) shifts in family support, (2) adaptable and flexible friendships, (3) social isolation fatigue, and (4) communication through technology. Within each theme, perceptions of interpersonal connections shifted over time.
Findings suggest diverse social connection experiences among older adults, yet general patterns of strong social connections and adaptation over time. Future research should build upon these findings to better understand older adults' social needs and seek to explore ways to best foster social connections during instances of forced social isolation or historical crises.
2019年冠状病毒病（COVID-19）大流行使老年人面临更高的健康风险，但社交距离预防措施也增加了他们社会福祉方面的风险。这项混合方法研究探讨了在COVID-19大流行的第一年中，老年人对社交参与和人际关系满意度的变化。
来自美国中西部的76名年龄在70至97岁之间的老年人样本，在2020年3月至2021年4月期间完成了一系列4次访谈，内容是关于他们在COVID-19社交距离预防措施方面的经历。参与者报告了社交参与满意度以及与家人和朋友的联系频率。此外，他们还回答了关于社交联系经历的开放式问题。
在大流行的这一年中，社交参与满意度显著反弹，而联系频率则从大流行初期的高远程联系转变为随着时间推移更多的面对面接触，家人和朋友之间存在细微差别。定性主题分析确定了以下主题：（1）家庭支持的转变，（2）适应性和灵活性强的友谊，（3）社会隔离疲劳，以及（4）通过技术进行的交流。在每个主题中，人际关系的认知随着时间的推移而发生变化。
研究结果表明老年人的社交联系经历各不相同，但随着时间的推移，普遍存在着强大的社交联系和适应模式。未来的研究应基于这些发现，以更好地理解老年人的社会需求，并寻求探索在被迫社会隔离或历史危机情况下最佳促进社交联系的方法。
