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Online engagement, resilience, and loneliness among older people during the COVID-19 pandemic

Author

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  • Zhang, Kunyu
  • Burr, Jeffrey A.
  • Mutchler, Jan E.
  • Lu, Jiehua

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Kunyu & Burr, Jeffrey A. & Mutchler, Jan E. & Lu, Jiehua, 2023. "Online engagement, resilience, and loneliness among older people during the COVID-19 pandemic," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 329(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:329:y:2023:i:c:s0277953623003830
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116026
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Louise C. Hawkley & Mary Elizabeth Hughes & Linda J. Waite & Christopher M. Masi & Ronald A. Thisted & John T. Cacioppo, 2008. "From Social Structural Factors to Perceptions of Relationship Quality and Loneliness: The Chicago Health, Aging, and Social Relations Study," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 63(6), pages 375-384.
    2. Weir, David & Lay, Margaret & Langa, Kenneth, 2014. "Economic development and gender inequality in cognition: A comparison of China and India, and of SAGE and the HRS sister studies," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 4(C), pages 114-125.
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