TY - JOUR
T1 - The Short and Long-Term Correlates of Change in Loneliness Status
T2 - The Role of Epidemic Control Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic
AU - Litwin, Howard
AU - Erlich, Bracha
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - The COVID−19 pandemic and corresponding measures taken to control it seem to have had negative effects on the well-being of older people. The present study regressed short and long-term loneliness scores on the degree of stringency of epidemic control policies in Europe and in Israel, and on other pandemic-related variables, controlling for a range of possible confounders. The longitudinal sample numbered 18,265 persons, aged 65 and older. The analysis revealed that loneliness rose at both post-outbreak time measurement points. Moreover, stringency was related to change for the worse in loneliness status. Electronic-based communication did not reduce loneliness, while face-to-face contact did. The findings underscore that pandemic-related policy measures have unintended social consequences that need to be addressed.
AB - The COVID−19 pandemic and corresponding measures taken to control it seem to have had negative effects on the well-being of older people. The present study regressed short and long-term loneliness scores on the degree of stringency of epidemic control policies in Europe and in Israel, and on other pandemic-related variables, controlling for a range of possible confounders. The longitudinal sample numbered 18,265 persons, aged 65 and older. The analysis revealed that loneliness rose at both post-outbreak time measurement points. Moreover, stringency was related to change for the worse in loneliness status. Electronic-based communication did not reduce loneliness, while face-to-face contact did. The findings underscore that pandemic-related policy measures have unintended social consequences that need to be addressed.
KW - electronic communication
KW - extraversion
KW - face-to-face contact
KW - longitudinal
KW - neuroticism
KW - SARS-CoV-2
KW - SHARE
KW - social network
KW - stringency
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85163158462&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/08959420.2023.2226292
DO - 10.1080/08959420.2023.2226292
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C2 - 37348537
AN - SCOPUS:85163158462
SN - 0895-9420
VL - 36
SP - 1283
EP - 1298
JO - Journal of Aging and Social Policy
JF - Journal of Aging and Social Policy
IS - 6
ER -