scholarly journals Older Adults’ Experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Stresses and Joys

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda R Whitehead ◽  
Emily Torossian
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Coping Theory ◽  
Concern For Others ◽  
Stress Experience ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is experienced differently across individuals, and older adults’ different life experiences lead to a variety of ways of coping. The present study explores older adults’ reports of what about the pandemic is stressful, and what brings joy and comfort in the midst of stress. Research Design and Methods An online survey asked 825 U.S. adults aged 60 and older to complete questionnaires assessing 3 psychological well-being indicators: perceived stress, negative affect, and positive affect. Participants also responded to open-ended questions about what was stressful and what brought joy or comfort at the time of the survey. A mixed-method approach first qualitatively analyzed the open-ended responses, content analysis identified themes most frequently reported, and quantitative analysis examined the associations between various stressors and joys and the psychological well-being indicators. Results Qualitative analysis revealed 20 stress categories and 21 joy/comfort categories. The most commonly reported stressors were confinement/restrictions, concern for others, and isolation/loneliness; the most commonly reported sources of joy/comfort were family/friend relationships, digital social contact, and hobbies. Demographic comparisons revealed variations in experience. Independent t tests revealed stress from concern for others, the unknown future, and contracting the virus to be significantly associated with poorer psychological well-being; faith, exercise/self-care, and nature were associated with more positive psychological well-being. Discussion and Implications Results are discussed in the context of stress and coping theory, highlighting the importance of understanding the unique stress experience of each individual for effective distress intervention.

scholarly journals COVID-19 as a Stressor: Pandemic Expectations, Perceived Stress, and Negative Affect in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda R Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stress And Coping ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
And Coping

Abstract Objectives The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic is appraised as a stressor influences perceived stress (PS) and psychological well-being during the event. Here, the association of older adults’ expectations concerning the pandemic’s duration and impact with PS and negative affect (NA) is investigated. Based on the stress and coping framework, PS is expected to mediate the association between COVID-19 expectations and NA. Methods Seven hundred fourteen residents of the United States and aged 60 and older completed an anonymous online survey in late March 2020 reporting PS, NA, and expectations regarding the pandemic. Results Regression analyses controlling for demographic factors revealed that more dire pandemic expectations significantly predicted PS and NA directly, and the effects on NA were significantly mediated by PS. Discussion Findings provide evidence that expectations about a pandemic influence the extent to which older adults experience stress and NA in the midst of a pandemic event. Implications for mental health are discussed.

scholarly journals Day-to-Day Contact and Help Among Neighbors Measured in the Natural Environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Seifert
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Valence ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives Empirical evidence suggests that the concept of “neighboring” (i.e., social contact and social support within a neighborhood) is related to between-person differences in well-being among older adults. However, little is known about the within-person differences in older adults’ everyday lives, which limits the ecological validity of prior findings. This study examined within-person associations between neighboring and the existence of positive valence, loneliness, and attachment to one’s neighborhood. Research Design and Methods The sample consisted of 4,620 observations of 20 days, drawn from 77 adults aged between 61 and 90 years. A mobile application on a smartphone was used for data collection. Results The results of the multilevel analysis suggest that daily contact with one’s neighbors was not significantly associated with daily positive valence, but it was positively related to daily feelings of not being alone and daily attachment to one’s neighborhood. Discussion and Implications The study makes noteworthy contributions to the field of gerontology by applying a micro-longitudinal research design to assess real-life within-person information.

Displaced Older Adults’ Reactions to and Coping With the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 1346-1370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshinori Kamo ◽  
Tammy L. Henderson ◽  
Karen A. Roberto
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Community Factors ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Relationship

Guided by an ecological perspective, the authors examined event, individual, structural/cultural, and family/community factors that shaped the psychological well-being of older adults displaced from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. The authors first established the negative effects of displacement on psychological well-being by comparing displaced older adults with permanent Baton Rouge residents. Displaced older persons’ psychological well-being was positively related to their age and physical health. Older displaced women coped with displacement better than men. Avoidant coping was negatively related to the older adults’ well-being, whereas spiritual coping showed no effect. The functioning of older persons’ family was positively related to their psychological well-being, whereas dependence on people outside immediate family showed a negative relationship. Income, education, and race were largely unrelated to psychological well-being. Findings provide implications for future studies regarding the relationship between disaster and psychological well-being and provide practitioners with suggestions for work with older adults displaced by disasters.

scholarly journals Better Off Alone: Daily Solitude Is Associated With Lower Negative Affect in More Conflictual Social Networks

2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 1152-1161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kira S Birditt ◽  
Jasmine A Manalel ◽  
Heidi Sommers ◽  
Gloria Luong ◽  
Karen L Fingerman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Adaptive Strategy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Network Quality ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives Older adults are often considered at risk for social isolation. Little is known, however, about how often older adults lack social contact (in person, phone, electronic) throughout the day, the implications of lacking contact (i.e., solitude), and whether the effects of solitude vary by the broader social context. Research Design and Methods Participants were from the Daily Experiences and Well-being Study (DEWS) which included 313 older adults (aged 65+) who completed baseline interviews followed by 5–6 days of ecological momentary assessments approximately every 3 hr. Results Individuals reported having no social contact (i.e., solitude) on 11% of the occasions. Solitude predicted lower negative and positive affect on those occasions. The solitude-negative affect link varied by social network quality. Solitude predicted lower negative affect among individuals with more conflictual social networks but not among those with less conflictual networks. Discussion and Implications Overall, solitude may serve as an adaptive strategy for individuals embedded in demanding or irritating social contexts.

scholarly journals Lessons in Resilience: Initial Coping Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather R Fuller ◽  
Andrea Huseth-Zosel
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Proactive Coping ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Design And Methods ◽  
Psychological Coping

Abstract Background and Objectives In addition to increased physical health risks, older adults may also experience risks to their mental health and social well-being due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Yet, older adults may be uniquely able to cope given their life experiences and coping mechanisms. This study explores older adults’ coping experiences and strategies during the initial weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research Design and Methods A Midwestern sample of 76 older adults aged 70–97 years completed a phone interview about their experiences with social distancing due to COVID-19. Interviews were conducted during the early weeks of regional social distancing (March 28–April 20, 2020). Participants rated their level of perceived coping and responded to open-ended questions about their daily life and coping. Results Mean perceived coping level (on a scale from 1 to 10) was 7.9, with 87% of participants rating their coping positively. Primary themes that emerged included (a) staying busy, (b) seeking social support, and (c) having a positive mindset. These emotion-focused coping strategies appeared adaptive in the early weeks of the pandemic for most older adults. Discussion and Implications Contrary to predominant messaging about the vulnerability of older adults, these findings highlight the resilient nature of older adults in terms of their psychological coping and adaptability during COVID-19. Future research should build upon these findings to better understand and promote late-life coping during crises. Practitioners should seek to support older adults’ engagement in such proactive coping, and social policies should be developed to acknowledge the variable needs of older adults.

scholarly journals Social Contact for Older People with Visual Impairment Through Mastery of Smartphones: Barriers and Suggested Solutions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Skeide Fuglerud ◽  
Siv Tunold ◽  
Kristin Kjæret
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Information Society ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Continued Use ◽  
Future Work

Older people with visual impairment are more prone to feeling lonely than their seeing peers. Research suggests that learning to use smartphones can improve psychological well-being in older adults. We seek to further explore and find solutions to three barriers for increased use and mastery of smartphones by older people with visual impairment, namely how to a) reach and motivate this group to learn to use a smartphone; b) improve the provision of training for this group, and c) organize support after training to increase the possibility for continued use. Data is collected through interviews and meetings with various stakeholders on a national and local level in Norway. Based on the results we provide some recommendations for future work to lower the barriers and to improve inclusion of older people with visual impairment into the information society.

scholarly journals Reactive, Agentic, Apathetic, or Challenged? Aging, Emotion, and Coping During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel A Young ◽  
Christian E Waugh ◽  
Alyssa R Minton ◽  
Susan T Charles ◽  
Claudia M Haase ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional Experiences ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives Advanced age is generally associated with improved emotional well-being, but the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed a global stressor that gravely threatened the physical well-being and ostensibly challenged the emotional well-being of older adults disproportionately. The current study investigated differences in emotional experiences and coping strategies between younger and older adults during the pandemic, and whether these differences were accounted for by age differences in appraisal of the pandemic. Research Design and Methods We asked younger (n = 181) and older adult (n = 176) participants to report their stress, appraisals the pandemic, emotions, and the ways in which they were coping with the pandemic. Results Results indicated that older adults experienced less stress and less negative affect and used greater problem-focused coping and less avoidant coping in response to the pandemic than younger adults. Further, age differences in affect and coping were partially accounted for by age differences in appraisals of the pandemic. Discussion and Implications Despite their objectively higher risk of illness and death due to the pandemic, older adults experienced less negative affect and used more agentic coping strategies than younger adults.

scholarly journals Friendships, loneliness and psychological well-being in older adults: A limit to the benefit of increasing the number friendships.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Thompson ◽  
Michael A. Smith ◽  
Andrew McNeill ◽  
Thomas Victor Pollet
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Breakpoint Analysis ◽  
The Relationship

Objectives: To examine the relationship between number of friends and loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress in older adults. Methods: Data were obtained from 335 older adults via completion of an online survey. Measures included loneliness (UCLA Version 3), depression, stress and anxiety (DASS-21). Participants also reported their number of close friends. Results: Regression analysis revealed a negative curvilinear relationship between number of friends and each of the measures tested. Breakpoint analysis demonstrated a threshold for the effect of number of friends on each of the measures (loneliness = 4, depression = 2, anxiety = 3, stress = 2). Discussion: The results suggest that there is a limit to the benefit of increasing the number of friends in older adults for each of these measures. Elucidating these thresholds can enable loneliness and psychological well-being interventions to be more targeted.

scholarly journals Challenges Experienced by Older People During the Initial Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison R Heid ◽  
Francine Cartwright ◽  
Maureen Wilson-Genderson ◽  
Rachel Pruchno
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Design And Methods ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background and Objectives The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created unique stressors for older people to manage. Informed by the Stress Process Model and the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, we examined the extent to which older people are adhering to physical distancing mandates and the pandemic-related experiences that older people find most challenging. Research Design and Methods From May 4 to May 17, 2020, a web-based questionnaire focused on the COVID-19 pandemic was completed by 1,272 people (aged 64 and older) who were part of an ongoing research panel in New Jersey recruited in 2006. Frequencies for endorsement of physical distancing behaviors were tabulated, and open-ended responses to the biggest challenge of the pandemic were systematically coded and classified using content analysis. Results More than 70% of participants reported adhering to physical distancing behaviors. Experiences appraised as most difficult by participants fell into 8 domains: Social Relationships, Activity Restrictions, Psychological, Health, Financial, Global Environment, Death, and Home Care. The most frequently appraised challenges were constraints on social interactions (42.4%) and restrictions on activity (30.9%). Discussion and Implications In the initial weeks of the pandemic, the majority of older adults reported adhering to COVID-19 physical distancing mandates and identified a range of challenging experiences. Results highlight the factors having the greatest impact on older adults, informing quantitative modeling for testing the impact of the pandemic on health and well-being outcomes, and identifying how intervention efforts may be targeted to maximize the quality of life of older adults.

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