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Peng C, Yuan Y, Burr JA, Mutchler JE, Song Q, Lapane KL. Social Contact, Social Participation, and Emotional Well-Being Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Roles of Giving and Receiving Social Support. Int J Aging Hum Dev 2024; 98:373-394. [PMID: 37735920 DOI: 10.1177/00914150231202396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
This study examined whether social contact, social participation, and social support during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with depression and anxiety. Data were taken from the 2020 COVID-19 Supplement of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (N = 2,778). Depression and anxiety were regressed on social contact frequency, social participation, and social support. Path analyses were also performed. The results showed that in-person contact was related to lower levels of depression, while in-person contact and attending religious services were related to lower levels of anxiety. Giving and receiving support were associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety. Giving support mediated the link between virtual contact, volunteering, and depression, while receiving support mediated the link between virtual contact and depression. Receiving and giving support mediated the association between virtual social contact, volunteering, and anxiety. During the pandemic, being socially connected provided some benefits in terms of emotional well-being, but in some cases being socially connected did not provide salubrious effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changmin Peng
- Department of Gerontology, John W. McCormack Graduate School of Public and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yiyang Yuan
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Burr
- Department of Gerontology, John W. McCormack Graduate School of Public and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jan E Mutchler
- Department of Gerontology, John W. McCormack Graduate School of Public and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Qian Song
- Department of Gerontology, John W. McCormack Graduate School of Public and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kate L Lapane
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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Ysseldyk R, Morton TA, Haslam C, Haslam SA, Boger J, Giau E, Macdonald EP, Matharu A, McCoy M. You've Got E-Mail: A Pilot Study Examining the Feasibility and Impact of a Group-Based Technology-Training Intervention Among Older Adults Living in Residential Care. Can J Aging 2024; 43:45-56. [PMID: 37501571 DOI: 10.1017/s0714980823000375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Older adults living in residential care often experience challenges in sustaining meaningful social relationships, which can result in compromised health and well-being. Online social networking has the potential to mitigate this problem, but few studies have investigated its implementation and its effectiveness in maintaining or enhancing well-being. This pilot study used a cluster-randomized pre-post design to examine the feasibility of implementing a 12-week group-based technology-training intervention for older adults (n = 48) living in residential care by exploring how cognitive health, mental health, and confidence in technology were impacted. Analysis of variance revealed significant increases in life satisfaction, positive attitudes toward computer use, and self-perceived competence among participants who received the intervention, but increased depressive symptoms for the control group. These findings suggest that, despite challenges in implementing the intervention in residential care, group-based technology training may enhance confidence among older adults while maintaining or enhancing mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renate Ysseldyk
- Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Catherine Haslam
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QL, Australia
| | - S Alexander Haslam
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QL, Australia
| | - Jennifer Boger
- Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Research Institute for Aging, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Emily Giau
- Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Erin P Macdonald
- Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Amy Matharu
- Research Institute for Aging, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Madeline McCoy
- Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Siette J, Ludlow K, Dodds L, Strutt P, Wuthrich V. "Provided a window on the world and lessened my feeling of isolation": older adults' perceived COVID-19 impact and technology use in Australia during recurrent lockdowns. BMC Geriatr 2024; 24:206. [PMID: 38419001 PMCID: PMC10900585 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04807-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An informed understanding of older adults' perceptions of the impact (positive or negative) of recurrent COVID-19 long lockdowns is important for the development of targeted interventions and resources for future restrictions. This study aimed to understand self-reported impacts of COVID-19 recurrent restrictions on older adults and how technology has been used to mitigate these. METHODS A cross-sectional national study of 257 community-dwelling older Australians based in Victoria (mean age = 67.6 years [SD = 7.2]; 20.6% male) completed an online or postal survey as part of a larger study examining the physical and mental health impacts of a second extended COVID-19 lockdown period. This secondary analysis reports on the findings from free-text responses to two open-ended questions included in that survey that asked participants to comment on the greatest impacts of the COVID-19 lockdowns (positive or negative) and the role of technology in supporting their wellbeing during this time. Responses were collected between July and September 2020. Data were analysed using content (COVID-19 impacts) and thematic (role of technology) analysis. RESULTS Respondents gave more negative responses (75.5%) than mixed (15.2%) and positive responses (6.2%) in reporting on the biggest impact of COVID-19 lockdowns. Inductive content analysis revealed two first-order main categories (Positive impacts and Negative impacts). Axial coding of main categories showed five second-order categories (Environmental, Physical Health, Social, Mental Health, and Personal) for both negative and positive main categories (totalling 10 second-order categories). Overall, respondents highlighted social loss as the key negative experience (70%), with acute feelings of social isolation contributing to negative impacts on mental wellbeing. The most commonly reported positive impact reported (11%) was having more time for relationships, relaxation, and new hobbies. Technology was primarily used to sustain socialisation and provide access to essential resources, services, and goods, which respondents perceived to contribute to maintaining their wellbeing. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest a critical need for interventions that address the social loss experienced by older adults during COVID-19 recurrent lockdowns, particularly to alleviate the associated negative impact on mental wellbeing. Recognising the positive aspect of increased time for relationships and leisure activities indicates potential areas for resilience-building strategies. The pivotal role of technology in mitigating adverse effects highlights its significance in building social connections and supporting overall wellbeing during challenging times. These implications can guide future efforts to enhance older adults' resilience, mental health, and holistic wellbeing in future public health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce Siette
- The MARCS Centre for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, New South Wales, 2145, Australia.
- Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, New South Wales, 2109, Australia.
| | - Kristiana Ludlow
- Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
- Centre for Health Services Research, the University of Queensland, Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - Laura Dodds
- The MARCS Centre for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, New South Wales, 2145, Australia
| | - Paul Strutt
- The MARCS Centre for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, New South Wales, 2145, Australia
- Lifespan Health Wellbeing Research Centre, Macquarie University, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
| | - Viviana Wuthrich
- Lifespan Health Wellbeing Research Centre, Macquarie University, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
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Gao Y, Wu J. Aging in place in rural Northeast China: a mixed methods examination of the influence of social capital on mental well-being in middle and late adulthood. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1261132. [PMID: 38249362 PMCID: PMC10796711 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1261132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The rural development strategy in contemporary China has evolved from focusing solely on "absolute poverty alleviation" to addressing multiple dimensions, including "targeting relative poverty and revitalizing the entire rural area." Using a mixed-methods approach, our study aimed to examine whether and how social capital, particularly social support and social trust, influences the mental well-being of middle-aged and older people aging in place in a remote rural Northeast area of China, exploring three constructs: life purpose, self-actualization, and capability. Our quantitative findings revealed that higher levels of social support and social trust were positively related to higher levels of life purpose. Increased social support was positively related to increased life purpose through increased social trust. However, the associations between social support, social trust, and the constructs of self-actualization and capability were not substantiated after controlling for covariates. Our interview data illuminated how middle-aged and older people perceived the interplay between social support, social trust, and mental well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfei Gao
- Department of Sociology, School of Law, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Sociology and Work Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Yoshigai M, Shin JH, Nagano H, Nakabe T, Imanaka Y. Presenteeism and social interaction in the "new normal" in Japan: a longitudinal questionnaire study. Environ Health Prev Med 2024; 29:3. [PMID: 38246653 PMCID: PMC10808005 DOI: 10.1265/ehpm.23-00201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although social interaction and social support during the "new normal" due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be related to presenteeism, the effect between these factors has not been clear for Japanese workers. The aim of this study was to describe the presenteeism of Japanese workers with reference to social interaction and social support following the lifestyle changes due to COVID-19 and to assess whether social interaction and social support affected their presenteeism. METHODS The data were obtained from internet panel surveys from October 2020. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multiple linear regression was conducted using the data from the first, fourth and fifth surveys, which were conducted during October to November 2020, July to August 2021, and September to October 2021, respectively. To measure presenteeism, questions from "absenteeism and presenteeism questions of the World Health Organization's Heath and Work Performance Questionnaire", short version in Japanese was utilized. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to investigate the effects of social interaction and social support-related factors on presenteeism. RESULTS A total of 3,407 participants were included in the analysis. The mean score of absolute presenteeism from the fifth survey was 58.07 (SD = 19.71). More time spent talking with family, a larger number of social supporters and a higher satisfaction level for social support were associated with a higher absolute presenteeism score. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggested that social support reduced the presenteeism of the Japanese workers during the "new normal" due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Social interaction with family also relieved presenteeism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megumi Yoshigai
- Department of Healthcare Economics and Quality Management, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto City, Japan
| | - Jung-ho Shin
- Department of Healthcare Economics and Quality Management, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto City, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nagano
- Department of Healthcare Economics and Quality Management, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto City, Japan
| | - Takayo Nakabe
- Department of Healthcare Economics and Quality Management, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto City, Japan
- The Database Center of the National University Hospitals, The University of Tokyo Hospital
| | - Yuichi Imanaka
- Department of Healthcare Economics and Quality Management, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto City, Japan
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Lau J, Koh WL, Ng JS, Khoo AMG, Tan KK. Understanding the mental health impact of COVID-19 in the elderly general population: A scoping review of global literature from the first year of the pandemic. Psychiatry Res 2023; 329:115516. [PMID: 37797442 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Self-isolation was common in the first year of COVID-19. While necessary, it also increased vulnerability to adverse mental health among elderly (i.e. aged 60 and above). This review seeks to summarise the outcomes, measures, and protective and risk factors of elderly mental health in the first year of COVID-19. Four international databases were systematically searched from inception to August 2021. Forty-five studies examining elderly mental health outcomes specific to COVID-19 were included - one was qualitative, 29 used cross-sectional quantitative methods, and 15 were longitudinal. Anxiety and depression were examined most commonly and consistently, largely with well-validated scales. Older age, female sex, poor financial status, being unmarried, high loneliness, low social engagement, low resilience and more severe pandemic measures were associated with poor elderly mental health outcomes. Ten of 13 longitudinal studies found deteriorations in elderly mental health outcomes over time. More consistent measures are needed to understand the pandemic's impact on elderly mental health. Our findings also suggest that socialising through digital mediums may not be helpful, and might even exacerbate loneliness. While the elderly are generally considered a high-risk population, higher-risk subpopulations were identified. We conclude by suggesting a multilevel approach to safeguard elderly mental health for future crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerrald Lau
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Level 8. 1E Kent Ridge Road, 119228, Singapore; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wei-Ling Koh
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Level 8. 1E Kent Ridge Road, 119228, Singapore
| | - Janelle Shaina Ng
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Level 8. 1E Kent Ridge Road, 119228, Singapore
| | - Athena Ming-Gui Khoo
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Level 8. 1E Kent Ridge Road, 119228, Singapore
| | - Ker-Kan Tan
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Level 8. 1E Kent Ridge Road, 119228, Singapore; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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Morris SG, Kudrna L, Martin J. Mental health and life satisfaction among those advised to shield during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: a secondary analysis of the Understanding Society longitudinal study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1235903. [PMID: 37829093 PMCID: PMC10566375 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1235903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction During the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, those considered most vulnerable to adverse outcomes from infection were designated "clinically extremely vulnerable" and advised to "shield." This involved prolonged confinement at home with strict limits on face-to-face contact, beyond national restrictions. Shielding ended in September 2021 and was considered likely to have harmed mental health and wellbeing. As the UK moved toward a new phase of "living with COVID-19" the mental health and wellbeing experiences of those advised to shield may have diverged from the general population. Methods This study is a secondary analysis of nine "COVID-19 Survey" waves of Understanding Society, a longitudinal study of UK participants covering April 2020 to September 2021 alongside pre-pandemic baseline data. The prevalence of clinically significant psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire 12) and low life satisfaction were examined at each wave for participants with longitudinal responses across all waves, stratified by receipt of shielding guidance (Received n = 410, Not received n = 6,878). Mixed effects regression modeling examined associations between shielding guidance receipt and mental health and life satisfaction when adjusting for potential confounders including age and sex, pre-pandemic mental health/life satisfaction, and loneliness. Results Those who received shielding guidance were more likely to experience poor mental health and low life satisfaction during the pandemic. However, this largely reflected differences in pre-pandemic baselines. Variation between waves broadly coincided with the changing burden of COVID-19 and associated restrictions, with similar patterns regardless of shielding guidance receipt. Regression modeling combining data across all waves indicated that receipt of shielding guidance did not independently predict adverse outcomes. However, poor pre-pandemic mental health and low life satisfaction, and frequent loneliness, as well as demographic factors including sex and age, consistently predicted adverse pandemic mental health and wellbeing. Discussion While those who received shielding guidance did on average experience poorer mental health and life satisfaction during the pandemic, this study suggests this largely reflects existing inequalities. Drawing on data throughout the shielding program, it addresses an existing evidence gap. These findings reinforce the importance of addressing existing mental health inequalities in the recovery from the current pandemic and for future preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon George Morris
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Public Health Specialty Training Programme, NHS England - West Midlands, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Kudrna
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - James Martin
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Park S, Zeng W, Zhao P, Tong Y. Information communication technology accessibility and mental health for older adults during the coronavirus disease in South Korea. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1126900. [PMID: 37818293 PMCID: PMC10561292 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1126900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction As society ages and the digital economy continues to develop, accessibility to information and communication technology (ICT) has emerged as a critical factor influencing the mental health of older adults. Particularly, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for non-face-to-face communication has significantly increased older adults' reliance on ICT for accessibility. This transition from a self-motivated engagement to a more socially passive mode of interaction highlights the importance of creating a digitally inclusive aging society. Methods This empirical study used pooled cross-sectional data from the Digital Gap Survey conducted in South Korea in 2018 and 2020. It aimed to analyze the association between ICT accessibility and the mental health of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results A significant positive relationship was found between ICT and mental health among older adults in South Korea. However, this positive association weakened during the COVID-19 period. Furthermore, the analysis revealed heterogeneity among older adults by age, sex, and place of residence, with older females in their 70s living in rural areas experiencing the greatest weakening. Discussion These results highlight the need for tailored interventions and support mechanisms for specific demographic groups of older adults. We recommend that the South Korean government implement various policies to facilitate the post-COVID-19 digital landscape. These include initiatives such as ICT-related education programs, development of user-friendly e-government systems, and creation of social media platforms designed to accommodate the needs and preferences of older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujin Park
- Jinhe Center for Economic Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Technology Management, Economics and Policy Program, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Weihong Zeng
- Jinhe Center for Economic Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Pianpian Zhao
- Jinhe Center for Economic Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yanke Tong
- Jinhe Center for Economic Research, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
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Backer JA, van de Kassteele J, El Fakiri F, Hens N, Wallinga J. Contact patterns of older adults with and without frailty in the Netherlands during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1829. [PMID: 37730628 PMCID: PMC10510272 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16725-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing measures were imposed to protect the population from exposure, especially older adults and people with frailty, who have the highest risk for severe outcomes. These restrictions greatly reduced contacts in the general population, but little was known about behaviour changes among older adults and people with frailty themselves. Our aim was to quantify how COVID-19 measures affected the contact behaviour of older adults and how this differed between older adults with and without frailty. METHODS In 2021, a contact survey was carried out among people aged 70 years and older in the Netherlands. A random sample of persons per age group (70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, and 90 +) and gender was invited to participate, either during a period with stringent (April 2021) or moderate (October 2021) measures. Participants provided general information on themselves, including their frailty, and they reported characteristics of all persons with whom they had face-to-face contact on a given day over the course of a full week. RESULTS In total, 720 community-dwelling older adults were included (overall response rate of 15%), who reported 16,505 contacts. During the survey period with moderate measures, participants without frailty had significantly more contacts outside their household than participants with frailty. Especially for females, frailty was a more informative predictor of the number of contacts than age. During the survey period with stringent measures, participants with and without frailty had significantly lower numbers of contacts compared to the survey period with moderate measures. The reduction of the number of contacts was largest for the eldest participants without frailty. As they interact mostly with adults of a similar high age who are likely frail, this reduction of the number of contacts indirectly protects older adults with frailty from SARS-CoV-2 exposure. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study reveal that social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic differentially affected the contact patterns of older adults with and without frailty. The reduction of contacts may have led to the direct protection of older adults in general but also to the indirect protection of older adults with frailty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jantien A Backer
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Jan van de Kassteele
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Fatima El Fakiri
- Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Niel Hens
- UHasselt, Data Science Institute and I-BioStat, Hasselt, Belgium
- University of Antwerp, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jacco Wallinga
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Zhang J, Zhou S, Wang Q, Hou F, Han X, Shen G, Chiang C, Yatsuya H, Zhang Y. Associations between changes in social contact pattern and the mental health status of Chinese adults: cross-sectional findings. NAGOYA JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE 2023; 85:476-489. [PMID: 37829475 PMCID: PMC10565586 DOI: 10.18999/nagjms.85.3.476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
The study aims to examine the associations between social contact pattern changes and mental health status, including depression, anxiety, and loneliness, among Chinese adults in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Data on social contact patterns before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 were obtained from 3511 participants. Mental health (ie, depression, anxiety, and loneliness) was assessed by the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, Dark Future Scale, and the 9-scale Three-Item Loneliness Scale, respectively. Poisson regression analyses revealed that the participants who had increased in-person communication were more likely to have mental disorders [depression: prevalence ratio (PR)=1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 1.26; anxiety: PR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.30]. The current study concluded that the in-person communication increase before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 was associated with mental disorders among Chinese adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingya Zhang
- Department of Health Service Management, School of Health Service Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shuai Zhou
- Department of Health Service Management, School of Health Service Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Department of Health Service Management, School of Health Service Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Fangfang Hou
- Department of Health Service Management, School of Health Service Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Department of Health Service Management, School of Health Service Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Guodong Shen
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Gerontology Institute of Anhui Province, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Chifa Chiang
- Department of Public Health and Health Systems, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yatsuya
- Department of Public Health and Health Systems, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Health Service Management, School of Health Service Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Hwang W, Fu X, Brown MT, Silverstein M. Intergenerational solidarity with digital communication and psychological well-being among older parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. FAMILY PROCESS 2023:10.1111/famp.12910. [PMID: 37345490 PMCID: PMC10741250 DOI: 10.1111/famp.12910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to identify intergenerational solidarity (emotional closeness, in-person contact, phone contact, geographic proximity, consensus, and conflict) with digital communication (texting, video call, and social media interaction) with adult children among older parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we aimed to investigate whether intergenerational solidarity with digital communication latent classes were associated with older parents' psychological well-being. We used the 2022 survey of the Longitudinal Study of Generations (LSOG). The sample consisted of 519 older parents who reported about 1245 adult children. Two-level latent class analysis identified six classes at the child level (Level 1: distant but digitally connected, tight-knit and digitally connected, tight-knit traditional, detached, intimate but distant, and sociable). In addition, the analysis identified three classes at the parent level (Level 2: digitally connected, mixed, and intimate but distant). Results of multivariate regression showed that older parents in the digitally connected latent class had better psychological well-being than those in the mixed latent class. Consequently, our finding indicates that digital solidarity with adult children can be beneficial for older parents' psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woosang Hwang
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, Texas Tech University, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Fu
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, Syracuse University, USA
| | - Maria T. Brown
- School of Social Work & Aging Studies Institute, Syracuse University, USA
| | - Merril Silverstein
- Department of Sociology, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, & Aging Studies Institute, Syracuse University, USA
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12
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Zhang K, Burr JA, Mutchler JE, Lu J. Online engagement, resilience, and loneliness among older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Soc Sci Med 2023; 329:116026. [PMID: 37354867 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the public health concerns of social isolation and loneliness for older people who are vulnerable due to their health conditions and more restrictive social measures. However studies revealed that many older adults demonstrated high resilience and remained emotionally stable during the pandemic, particularly those who had a broad engagement with online technology that could compensate for their isolation. Yet, little empirical research has examined explicitly the association between online engagement and loneliness among older adults, and the role resilience played in this relationship during the pandemic. This study contributed to the literature by addressing these research gaps. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This study investigated the relationships between online engagement (sum of involvement in 31 online activities), resilience (sum of positive experiences and personal growth during COVID-19) and loneliness (mean of 11-items from the revised version of the UCLA loneliness scale) among community-dwelling older people (aged 60+), using national survey data from the 2020 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) collected during the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 3,552). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Online engagement was negatively associated with levels of loneliness (β = -0.080, 95% CI [-0.118, -0.047]), and this association was partially mediated by levels of resilience (β = -0.023, 95% CI [-0.031, -0.016]. The findings suggested that a broad integration of online technology into daily-life may have helped older people combat loneliness during the pandemic, and resilience could be one important mechanism that linked this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunyu Zhang
- Department of Gerontology, McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, 02125, USA.
| | - Jeffrey A Burr
- Department of Gerontology, McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, 02125, USA.
| | - Jan E Mutchler
- Department of Gerontology, McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, 02125, USA.
| | - Jiehua Lu
- Department of Sociology, Center for Healthy Aging and Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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13
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Rouxel P, Chandola T. No Substitute for In-Person Interaction: Changing Modes of Social
Contact during the Coronavirus Pandemic and Effects on the Mental Health of
Adults in the UK. SOCIOLOGY 2023:00380385231172123. [PMCID: PMC10189533 DOI: 10.1177/00380385231172123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Life-course theories on how social relationships affect mental health are limited in causal claims. The restrictions in social contact during the coronavirus pandemic provided a natural experiment that modified the frequency of in-person contact and allowed us to estimate the effect of changes in in-person social contact frequency on mental health in four large nationally representative age-cohorts of adults living in the UK. There was consistent evidence of a small but statistically significant effect of less frequent social contact on anxiety-depression. Online modes of social contact did not compensate for the restrictions in in-person social contact during the pandemic. Young adults who increased their online social media frequency during the pandemic experienced a deterioration in mental health. Life-course theories cannot ignore the importance of the mode of social contact for social relationships, especially during young adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tarani Chandola
- University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong &
University of Manchester, UK
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14
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Braga LDS, Moreira BDS, Torres JL, Andrade ACDS, Lima ACL, Vaz CT, Machado EL, Caiaffa WT, Ferri CP, Mambrini JVDM. A decreased trajectory of loneliness among Brazilians aged 50 years and older during the COVID-19 pandemic: ELSI-Brazil. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2023; 38:e00106622. [PMID: 36921186 DOI: 10.1590/0102-311xen106622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to estimate prevalence of loneliness among older Brazilian adults over the first seven months of the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the predictors of loneliness trajectories. Pre-pandemic data derived from face-to-face interviews of participants of the 2019-2020 Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), which is a nationally representative study of community-dwelling individuals aged 50 years and over. Pandemic data were based on three rounds of telephone interviews among those participants, conducted from May to October 2020. Loneliness was measured by a single-item question, considering those who had at least two repeated measures. Explanatory variables included depression, living alone, leaving home in the last week, and virtual connectedness in the last month. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and to investigate loneliness trajectories and their predictors. In total, 5,108 participants were included. The overall prevalence of loneliness in the pre-pandemic period was 33.1% (95%CI: 29.4-36.8), higher than the pandemic period (round 1: 23.6%, 95%CI: 20.6-26.9; round 2: 20.5%, 95%CI: 17.8-23.5; round 3: 20.6%, 95%CI: 17.1-24.6). A significant interaction (p ≤ 0.05) was evidenced only between depression and time; participants with depression showed a greater reduction in loneliness levels. Although loneliness levels in Brazil have decreased during the pandemic, this pattern is not present for all older adults. Individuals with depression had a more significant reduction, probably due to feeling closer to their social network members during the stay-at-home recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bruno de Souza Moreira
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
- Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
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15
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Hwang W, Fu X, Brown MT, Silverstein M. Digital and Non-Digital Solidarity between Older Parents and Their Middle-Aged Children: Associations with Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12560. [PMID: 36231855 PMCID: PMC9566078 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We incorporated intergenerational digital communication (frequency of texting, video call, and social media interaction) into the intergenerational solidarity paradigm and identified new types of intergenerational and digital solidarity with adult children among older parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we examined whether those types are associated with older parents' mental health (depressive symptoms, psychological well-being, and self-esteem). We used the 2021/2022 wave of the Longitudinal Study of Generations (LSOG), and a sample of 519 older parents (mean age = 69 years). Latent class analysis identified four classes describing intergenerational and digital solidarity with adult children (distant-but-digitally connected, tight-knit-traditional, detached, and ambivalent). We found that older parents who had distant-but-digitally connected and tight-knit-traditional relationships with their adult children reported better mental health, compared to those who had detached and ambivalent relationships with their adult children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings suggest that intergenerational digital communication should be considered as a digital solidarity in intergenerational solidarity paradigm, which is useful for measuring multidimension of intergenerational relationships within family members during and after the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woosang Hwang
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Fu
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Maria Teresa Brown
- School of Social Work, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
- Aging Studies Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Merril Silverstein
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
- Aging Studies Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
- Department of Sociology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
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16
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Savage RD, Di Nicolo S, Wu W, Li J, Lawson A, Grieve J, Goel V, Rochon PA. The Factors Associated With Nonuse of Social Media or Video Communications to Connect With Friends and Family During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Older Adults: Web-Based Survey Study. JMIR Aging 2022; 5:e34793. [PMID: 35344502 PMCID: PMC9177172 DOI: 10.2196/34793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital technologies have enabled social connection during prolonged periods of physical distancing and travel restrictions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. These solutions may exclude older adults, who are at higher risk for social isolation, loneliness, and severe outcomes if infected with SARS-CoV-2. OBJECTIVE This study investigated factors associated with nonuse of social media or video communications to connect with friends and family among older adults during the pandemic's first wave. METHODS A web-based, cross-sectional survey was administered to members of a national retired educators' organization based in Ontario, Canada, between May 6 and 19, 2020. Respondents (N=4879) were asked about their use of social networking websites or apps to communicate with friends and family, their internet connection and smartphone access, loneliness, and sociodemographic characteristics. Factors associated with nonuse were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. A thematic analysis was performed on open-ended survey responses that described experiences with technology and virtual connection. RESULTS Overall, 15.4% (751/4868) of respondents did not use social networking websites or apps. After adjustment, male gender (odds ratio [OR] 1.60, 95% CI 1.33-1.92), advanced age (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.38-2.55), living alone (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.39-2.02), poorer health (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.04-1.71), and lower social support (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.20-1.71) increased the odds of nonuse. The reliability of internet connection and access to a smartphone also predicted nonuse. Many respondents viewed these technologies as beneficial, especially for maintaining pre-COVID-19 social contacts and routines, despite preferences for in-person connection. CONCLUSIONS Several factors including advanced age, living alone, and low social support increased the odds of nonuse of social media in older adults to communicate with friends and family during COVID-19's first wave. Our findings identified socially vulnerable subgroups who may benefit from intervention (eg, improved access, digital literacy, and telephone outreach) to improve social connection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel D Savage
- Women's Age Lab, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Wei Wu
- Women's Age Lab, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joyce Li
- Women's Age Lab, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrea Lawson
- Women's Age Lab, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Vivek Goel
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Paula A Rochon
- Women's Age Lab, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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17
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Choi NG, Hammaker S, DiNitto DM, Marti CN. COVID-19 and Loneliness among Older Adults: Associations with Mode of Family/Friend Contacts and Social Participation. Clin Gerontol 2022; 45:390-402. [PMID: 34962454 PMCID: PMC8885917 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2021.2013383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Given physical/social distancing due to COVID-19, we examined associations between self-reported loneliness and changes in contact with family/friends and mode of social participation among older adults. METHODS Data came from the 2020 National Health and Aging Trend Study (NHATS) and its supplemental mail COVID-19 survey (N = 2,910 respondents who reported changes in loneliness during the COVID-19 outbreak). We fit a generalized linear model (GLM) with Poisson and log link using increased versus the same/decreased loneliness as the dependent variable and changes in frequencies of four modalities of contact with family/friends and social participation mode during COVID-19 as the independent variables. RESULTS Approximately 19% of respondents reported feeling lonely on more days during COVID-19. GLM results showed that decreased in-person contact (AOR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.17-1.73) and increased video call contact (AOR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.01-1.66) with family/friends and on-line participation in clubs, classes, and other organized activities (AOR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.04-1.77) were associated with higher odds of increased loneliness. CONCLUSIONS Virtual interaction is not an effective substitute for in-person interaction for older adults and is associated with increased loneliness. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS : Innovative means of making virtual contacts more similar to in-person contacts are needed to decrease older adults' loneliness during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namkee G Choi
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Sarah Hammaker
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Diana M DiNitto
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - C Nathan Marti
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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18
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Aho K. "We're protecting them to death"-A Heideggerian interpretation of loneliness among older adults in long-term care facilities during COVID-19: Contact details. PHENOMENOLOGY AND THE COGNITIVE SCIENCES 2022; 22:1-14. [PMID: 35250413 PMCID: PMC8881943 DOI: 10.1007/s11097-022-09803-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, I draw on Heidegger's phenomenology of "moods" (Stimmungen) to interpret loneliness as a diffused and atmospheric feeling-state that often undergirds the lives of older adults, shaping the ways in which they are attuned to and make sense of the world. I focus specifically on residents in long-term care facilities to show how the social isolation and lockdown measures of the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically intensified the mood. The aim is to shed light on how profound and totalizing the experience has been for residents. Making use of Heidegger's account of the affective "collapse" or "breakdown" (Zusammenbruch) of meaning, I argue that when older adults are functionally locked in their rooms for months at a time and cut off from the orienting routines and rhythms of the relational world, the result is a crumbling of the fundamental meaning-structures that constitute subjectivity. The global sense of abandonment and disconnection strips away the possibility for self-understanding, and residents are often left confused and abandoned to an existence that has been drained of meaning and significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Aho
- Florida Gulf Coast University, 33965 Fort Myers, FL USA
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19
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Hu Y, Qian Y. Protecting older adults' mental health in the pandemic. BMJ 2022; 376:o256. [PMID: 35091431 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.o256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yue Qian
- University of British Columbia, Canada
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20
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Burn E, Tattarini G, Williams I, Lombi L, Gale NK. Women's Experience of Depressive Symptoms While Working From Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From an International Web Survey. FRONTIERS IN SOCIOLOGY 2022; 7:763088. [PMID: 35463190 PMCID: PMC9024360 DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2022.763088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant changes in workplace practices as social distancing requirements meant that people were asked to work from home where possible to avoid unnecessary contact. Concerns have been raised about the effects of the pandemic on mental health and, in particular, the effects of social distancing on employed women's mental health. In this study, we explore the experiences of working women during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the factors that may be associated with women experiencing the symptoms of depression. Findings from a cross-sectional survey of European working women (across five countries: France, Italy, Poland, Sweden, and the UK) conducted between March and July 2020 are reported. The data are analyzed using linear regression and mediation analysis. For women, working from home was associated with higher prevalence of the symptoms of depression compared to traveling to a workplace. The study also considers the mechanisms that may explain a relationship between working from home and depressive symptoms. Maintaining contact with people face-to-face and participating in exercise were both significant protective factors against experiencing symptoms of depression during a period of social distancing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Burn
- Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Giulia Tattarini
- Social Science Research Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Sociology and Social Research, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Iestyn Williams
- Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Linda Lombi
- Department of Sociology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Kay Gale
- Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Nicola Kay Gale
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21
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Parviainen J. Kinetic Values, Mobility (in)equalities, and Ageing in Smart Urban Environments. ETHICAL THEORY AND MORAL PRACTICE : AN INTERNATIONAL FORUM 2021; 24:1139-1153. [PMID: 34725542 PMCID: PMC8551938 DOI: 10.1007/s10677-021-10249-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The idea of the right to mobility has been fundamental to modern Western citizenship and is expressed in many legal and government documents. Although there is widespread acceptance regarding the importance of mobility in older adults, there have been few attempts to develop ethical and theoretical tools to portray mobility (in)equalities in old age. This paper develops a novel conceptualisation of kinetic values focusing on older adults whose ability to move has been restricted for internal and external reasons. Informed by the phenomenological theory of kinaesthesia, I suggest that kinetic values are related to four principal dimensions: self-motion, being-moved, co-motion, and forced movement. I assume that these dimensions can address the key dilemma of human dignity among older adults who suffer from losing their autonomy and agency through their mobility impairments and who are at risk of being confined to their homes. To concretise the formulation of kinetic values, I study movement as part of technological equipment and urban infrastructure to examine what kinds of kinetic values mobility services and assistive robots convey for older adults in smart urban environments. By bridging disciplines, the phenomenological approach provides a novel understanding of mobility and the interplay among assistive technologies, kinaesthesia, and urban technological infrastructure. The approach suggests that kinetic values should be interpreted more comprehensively so that kinaesthesia can become better identified as a positive life-promoting practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaana Parviainen
- Faculty of Social Sciences (SOC), Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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22
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Guha M. Review: the power of strangers. J Ment Health 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2021.1979496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Guha
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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