How Communication Technology Fosters Individual and Social Wellbeing During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Preliminary Support For a Digital Interaction Model

Canale, Natale; Marino, Claudia; Lenzi, Michela; Vieno, Alessio; Griffiths, Mark D.; Gaboardi, Marta; Giraldo, Matteo; Cervone, Carmen; Santinello, Massimo

doi:10.1007/s10902-021-00421-1

Cited by 44 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 93 publications

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“…In line with the study hypothesis, this study indicates a positive correlation between communication technology use and social support. This finding confirms prior work and strengthens the evidence that communication technology is a promising tool to enhance perceived social support among middle-aged and older caregivers ( 27 , 28 ). In that there was no statistically significant difference in this relationship between paid and unpaid caregivers, communication technology-based interventions targeting social support can be effective for paid and unpaid caregivers.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Social Support, Sense of Belonging, and Communication Technology Use Among Paid and Unpaid Caregivers of Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Lee

Ory

Dahlke

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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ObjectivesThe objectives of this study are to: (1) describe communication technology use among paid and unpaid middle-aged and older caregivers of adults 50 and older in a natural (non-experimental) setting; and (2) examine the association between communication technology use, perceived social support, and sense of belonging in this population.MethodsMeans and standard deviations, or frequencies and percentages, were used to describe study participants. Chi-square tests or independent sample t-tests were used to compare sociodemographic characteristics, communication technology use, perceived social support, and sense of belonging to the local community between paid and unpaid caregivers. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to predict each outcome (i.e., sense of belonging and social support) based on the use of texting or communication applications.ResultsThe average age of participants was age 64.2 years, and the majority was female (74.8%) and non-Hispanic White (66.9%). Compared to paid caregivers, unpaid caregivers were older (64.5 vs. 62.2 years, p = 0.022) and a larger proportion were non-Hispanic White (70.8% vs. 47.7%, p < 0.001). Nearly 83% of the study participants reported using texting or communication applications (81.5% among paid caregivers and 83.1% among unpaid caregivers, p = 0.718). After adjusting for caregivers' age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education, a significantly higher sense of belonging was observed among paid caregivers than unpaid caregivers (b = 9.40, p = 0.009). After adjusting for caregivers' age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education, the use of texting or other communication applications significantly increased caregivers' perceived availability of social support (b = 0.35, p = 001).ConclusionsThese study results showed a greater sense of belonging to the local community among paid caregivers compared to unpaid caregivers. The use of communication technology was associated with an increased sense of belonging to their local community among paid caregivers, yet the use of communication technology did not contribute to feelings of belonging among unpaid caregivers. In an aging society, both paid and unpaid caregivers are essential elements of the care system. Research is needed to understand the social support needs of paid and unpaid caregivers and the types of interventions to promote social support and community engagement for both groups.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Social Support, Sense of Belonging, and Communication Technology Use Among Paid and Unpaid Caregivers of Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Lee

Ory

Dahlke

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…As highlighted by other studies, people with dementia experience difficulties in coping with the lack of physical contacts and suffer its consequences [ 6 , 35 ]. However, informal carers were more proficient in digital media use and they could benefit from the possibilities offered by technology—both organizationally and emotionally [ 78 , 79 , 80 ]. This is encouraging when the introduction of technological solutions to dementia care is inevitable [ 81 , 82 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further qualitative research can, for example, involve focus group discussion on the issues identified but insufficiently elaborated in the analyzed interviews. Such an example could be remote communication in dementia care—a topic which, although present in earlier research [ 77 , 83 ], takes on a new meaning in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic [ 76 , 78 , 79 , 80 ]. Another issue worth exploring further in a quantitative design is coping strategies classified as a sub-theme of psychological response.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Experiences of People with Dementia and Informal Carers Related to the Closure of Social and Medical Services in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Qualitative Study

et al. 2021

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Older people with dementia are particularly at risk of COVID-19; however, relatively little is known about the indirect impact of the pandemic on the lives of those living with, and/or caring for someone with, dementia. The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of people with dementia and informal carers during the closure of available social and medical services in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with people with dementia (n = 5) and informal carers (n = 21) was performed between June and August 2020 after the first wave of COVID-19 in Poland. Three overarching themes were identified: (1) care re-organization; (2) psychological responses; (3) emerging needs. The factor underlying all these elements was reliance on other people. Social support and engagement are vital to the ongoing health and well-being of people living with dementia and their informal carers. Services need to be strengthened to provide ongoing provision to those living with dementia to reach pre-pandemic levels, if not better. Within the post-pandemic environment, people with dementia and their informal carers need reassurance that they can rely on external institutional and social support able to meet their needs.

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“…Though work examining different modes of face-to-face interactions is limited, some scholars suggest that physical co-presence plays a role in the perceptions of the interaction (e.g., Schroeder, 2002 ) and work in physical propinquity has found ties to social interaction opportunities and the formation of friendships ( Nahemow and Lawton, 1975 ). Although previous research has found that online interactions can also provide social support in ways that promote better well-being ( Canale et al, 2021 ), current technological advancements allow only limited opportunities for engaging in fulfilling self-care activities in the virtual sphere, as compared to those afforded by a physical space. One of the measures adopted by many during the pandemic was the creation of a Covid “social bubble,” or group of individuals that all agreed to interact with each other, while staying distant from those outside their group ( Leng et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-Care and Mental Health Among College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Social and Physical Environment Features of Interactions Which Impact Meaningfulness and Mitigate Loneliness

Barankevich

Loebach

2022

Front. Psychol.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted patterns and limited opportunities for social interaction, which increased already high loneliness rates among college students. Meaningful social interactions can mitigate negative mental health outcomes such as loneliness and bolster social support, which is in turn linked to better self-care practices. Social connection can aid in self-care through social support as well as be considered a self-care practice itself to counter the negative effects of loneliness. This study examined the social interaction patterns of 132 college students from a mid-sized United States university during the pandemic to understand which characteristics support meaningful interactions. Students completed an online survey from October through December 2020 to report details of their 2020 and 2019 social interactions, as well as their most recent interactions, including time spent, the mode (in-person versus virtual), their relationship to others in the interaction, the type of activity and privacy of the setting. Results found that students spent significantly less time interacting with non-roommates in-person in 2020, and more time in voice and video calls. No differences were found for texting and in-person roommate interactions. Meaningfulness was significantly higher for interactions with family or friends. Students reported the highest meaning for interactions that were planned and in-person, with lowest meaning for planned virtual interactions. No differences were observed for meaningfulness based on the type of interaction activity or privacy of the setting. Understanding the characteristics of the most meaningful interactions can help college students prioritize social interactions that may best promote self-care, mitigate loneliness, and bolster social support. High meaningfulness scores for planned in-person interactions suggests that these types of interactions may be most valuable for maintaining existing self-care patterns, engaging in self-care activities, and receiving support. Self-care activities for college students, including social interactions, were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have further exacerbated loneliness. College students should be encouraged to consciously engage in person with family and friends to practice self-care and maintain or improve mental health. Strategically selecting interactions that will optimize meaningfulness may therefore be critical to helping students to maintain positive mental health during and beyond the pandemic.

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How Communication Technology Fosters Individual and Social Wellbeing During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Preliminary Support For a Digital Interaction Model

Cited by 44 publications

References 93 publications

Social Support, Sense of Belonging, and Communication Technology Use Among Paid and Unpaid Caregivers of Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Social Support, Sense of Belonging, and Communication Technology Use Among Paid and Unpaid Caregivers of Middle-Aged and Older Adults

The Experiences of People with Dementia and Informal Carers Related to the Closure of Social and Medical Services in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Qualitative Study

Self-Care and Mental Health Among College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Social and Physical Environment Features of Interactions Which Impact Meaningfulness and Mitigate Loneliness

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