"If you weren't connected to the Internet, you were not alive": experience of using social technology during COVID-19 in adults 50.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Loneliness and social isolation reduce physical and mental wellbeing. Older adults are particularly prone to social isolation due to decreased connection with previous social networks such as at workplaces. Social technology can decrease loneliness and improve wellbeing. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted quarantine and social distancing for many people, creating a context of widespread social isolation.

Method

In the current study, we interviewed middle-aged and older adults' (n = 20) about their use of social technology when social isolation was common: during the early part of the pandemic while social isolation and masking were still required in the United States, between August 2020 and June 2021.We analyzed the data using three-phase coding. We compare our res

SUBMITTER: Ling K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10590895 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature