Loneliness and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study Among Dutch Older Adults.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

With the spread of COVID-19, the Netherlands implemented a policy to keep citizens physically distanced. We hypothesize that consequent reduction in the frequency of social contacts, personal losses, and the experience of general threats in society reduced well-being.

Methods

Data were collected from 1,679 Dutch community-dwelling participants aged 65-102 years comprising a longitudinal online panel. Social and emotional loneliness and mental health were measured in May 2020, that is, 2 months after the implementation of the measures, and earlier in October and November 2019.

Results

In this pandemic, the loneliness of older people increased, but mental health remained roughly stable. The policy measures for physical distancing did not cause much social iso

SUBMITTER: van Tilburg TG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7454922 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature