COVID-19 and social distancing: pandemic has altered social relationships and contacts in older adults over 4 years.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Social isolation is a main risk factor for loneliness, health issues and psychological diseases. With its restriction measures, the coronavirus pandemic has led to an objective reduction in meaningful interactions, communication, and social contacts in general (social isolation). However, it has been shown that older adults cope differently with social isolation. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the changes of social contacts of older adults over the pandemic period of 4 years.

Methods

For this purpose, N = 175 older adults (M _age = 72.60, SD _age = 6.12 years, Mdn _age = 72, Range: 60-87 years) were asked at 3 time points (2019, 2021, 2023) with how many people they had contact

SUBMITTER: Kastner L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11683058 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature