Factors Associated with Loneliness in Rural Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Focusing on Connection with Others

Abstract

The spread of COVID-19 is considered to have strengthened people’s awareness of others. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced connection with others among older adults and increased loneliness. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting loneliness among older adults in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on the connection with others. The target group included 932 rural Japanese adults, aged 65–74 years. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted. Valid responses were obtained from 405 participants (valid response rate: 43.5%). A multiple regression analysis was performed using the forced entry method with loneliness as the dependent variable. The independent variables were those showing significant associations with loneliness based on the univariate analysis. Sex (β = −0.139), economic situation (β = −0.103), neighborhood ties (β = −0.260), independent view of self (β = −0.213), interdependent view of self (β = 0.171), and communication through phone (β = −0.128) were significantly associated with loneliness. Connection with others and subjective views of the relationship between self and others were associated with loneliness in situations where one was more aware of the behavior of oneself and others in an infectious disease pandemic.

Social isolation and loneliness among older adults living in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review

“…Only two studies included for review found a neutral prevalence of loneliness in rural and urban places. These studies were conducted in Japan [ 51 ], and in the US [ 50 ]. Although limited in number, these studies suggest that rural areas are diverse and unique spaces with the potential to vary greatly.…”

“…Although limited in number, these studies suggest that rural areas are diverse and unique spaces with the potential to vary greatly. In the Japanese context, loneliness was prevalent, but rural or urban locations were found to be statistically insignificant when comparing levels of loneliness [ 51 ]. This study found that the prevalence of loneliness was quite high in rural and urban areas, even prior to the pandemic, and neighbourhood-based factors were likely the best protections against loneliness.…”

“…In five of the sixteen rural-focused studies (i.e., based solely on rural participants), older adults were shown to be highly engaged socially in their daily lives and rural-dwelling older adults were more likely to report that they were supported [ 11 , 12 , 51 , 53 ]. In fact, Colibaba et al (2021) noted that older adults continued their practice of voluntarism to stay connected to the community during the pandemic and found the rural environment to be more suited to the lockdowns [ 52 ].…”

“…For example, a study conducted in Japan demonstrated that older adults were using video games on their phones as a way to connect to others, keep themselves mentally active, and to combat isolation and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 53 ]. Even in cases where the infrastructure to support online digital technologies was lacking, older adults used cell phones and traditional landline phone calls to stay in touch with family and friends [ 11 , 51 , 59 , 61 ].…”