The Impact of Changing Social Support on Older Persons' Onset of Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United Kingdom.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Social distancing measures aimed at controlling the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are likely to have increased social isolation among those older than 70 instructed to shield at home. This study examines the incidence of loneliness by gender over the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic among persons aged 70 and older in the United Kingdom, and the impact of changing social networks and perceived social support on the new occurrence of loneliness.

Research design and methods

Participants (N = 1,235) aged 70 and older with no reports of loneliness before the pandemic who participated in 7 rounds of the Understanding Society: COVID-19 Study (April 2020-January 2021) and the main Understanding Society Study conducted during 2019. Co

SUBMITTER: Vlachantoni A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8903469 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature