ArticleThe journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences2022
COVID-19 Social Distancing Measures and Loneliness Among Older Adults.
Article in The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 44 papers.
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Who cites it
44 citing papers in PubMed.
- The role of household composition in social isolation and anxiety: evidence from adults in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic.The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences · 2026Article
- State and Trait Anxiety in Patients with Neurological Diseases During COVID Pandemic.Advances in experimental medicine and biology · 2026Article
- Predictors of Loneliness and Psychological Distress in Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: National Cross-Sectional Study.JMIR public health and surveillance · 2025Article
- Factors associated with unmet medical needs among middle-aged and older adults in China during COVID-19 pandemic.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Boosting Digital Health Engagement Among Older Adults in Hong Kong: Pilot Pre-Post Study of the Generations Connect Project.JMIR formative research · 2025Article
- Effects of climate-related disasters on loneliness, social support, social functioning, and social contacts: longitudinal analyses of impact and recovery.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Disrupted and Disconnected Post Disaster: Associations Between the Social and Built Environment and Loneliness During COVID-19 in a U.S. Gulf Coast Sample.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2025Article
- The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Oldest-Old Social Capital and Health and the Role of Digital Inequalities: Longitudinal Cohort Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Observational
- The association of financial resources and loneliness among older adults during a state of emergency.PloS one · 2025Article
- Resilience applications to social isolation and loneliness in older adults: a scoping review to develop a model and research agenda.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
- Characteristics of sleep disturbance across two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic among nursing staffs.Sleep medicine: X · 2024Article
- The Long-Lasting Effect of Multidisciplinary Interventions for Emotional and Social Loneliness in Older Community-Dwelling Individuals: A Systematic Review.Nursing reports (Pavia, Italy) · 2024Review
- Psychosocial implications of early COVID-19 restrictions on older adults in a small-town region in Southwestern, Pennsylvania (USA).International psychogeriatrics · 2024Article
- Intergenerational solidarity with digital communication and psychological well-being among older parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.Family process · 2024Article
- Daily activities of older adults before and during the COVID pandemic.The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences · 2024Article
- Risk factors and health behaviors associated with loneliness among cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic.Journal of behavioral medicine · 2024Article
- Age Differences in Experiences of Pandemic-Related Health and Economic Challenges Among Adults Aged 55 and Older.The Gerontologist · 2024Article
- In-Person Social Interactions and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring the Role of Household Size and Virtual Social Contact Among Midlife and Older Black South African Adults.The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences · 2024Article
- Attitudes and perceptions toward the COVID-19 risk-mitigation strategies among racially and ethnically diverse older adults in the United States and Puerto Rico: a qualitative study.Ethnicity & health · 2024Article
- Exploring the relationship between older adults' online health information seeking, negative emotions and prevention behaviors in the pandemic context: a two-wave longitudinal study.Frontiers in public health · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectivesIn response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, older adults are advised to follow social distancing measures to prevent infection. However, such measures may increase the risk of loneliness. The current study aimed to investigate (a) whether social distancing measures, particularly limiting close social interactions, are associated with loneliness among older adults, and (b) whether the association between social distancing measures and loneliness is moderated by sociodemographic characteristics.
methodData were from the fourth wave (April 29 to May 26, 2020) of the nationally representative Understanding America Study COVID-19 Survey. We used data on adults 50 years or older (N = 3,253). Logistic regression models of loneliness were performed. Five indicators of social distancing measures were considered: (a) avoiding public spaces, gatherings, or crowds; (b) canceling or postponing social activities; (c) social visits; (d) no close contact (within 6 feet) with people living together; and (e) with people not living together.
resultsCancelling or postponing social activities and avoiding close contact with people living together were associated with 33% (odds ratio [OR] = 1.33, confidence interval [CI] = 1.06-1.68, p < .05) and 47% (OR = 1.47, CI = 1.09-1.99, p < .05) greater odds of loneliness, respectively. Furthermore, limiting close contact with coresidents increased the probability of loneliness more for males, non-Hispanic Whites, and those with higher levels of education and income. DISCUSSION: Efforts should be made to help older adults maintain social connectedness with close others by virtual communication methods. Our findings also call special attention to vulnerable groups at elevated risks of loneliness, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions.
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