Living alone and using social media technologies: The experience of Filipino older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Prolonged implementation of lockdowns during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has resulted in older adults living alone in social isolation. The purpose of the study was to describe the meaning of the experience of Filipino older adults, who are living alone and using social media technologies during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Eight participants who met the inclusion criteria were interviewed using the snowball selection technique. Transcribed interviews were read while also listening to the recorded interviews and highlighting significant words, phrases, and statements. An iterative process of analysis using van Manen's phenomenological approach identified thematic structures and categories revealing life‐worlds of corporeality, relationality, temporality, spatiality, and materiality. The five general essences of flourishing, communicating, struggling, journeying and empowering, described the meaning of living alone and using social media technologies among older adults during the pandemic. The experience was expressed as “flourishing despite struggling to communicate, while journeying and empowering oneself and others.” Older adults in isolation struggled to communicate with others however, with social technologies opportunities were opened for them in securing needed food, safety and security, maintaining their health, and their social connectedness. Despite the physical isolation and living arrangements during the pandemic, the use of social media technologies sustained older persons' well‐being.

For Better or for Worse? A Scoping Review of the Relationship between Internet Use and Mental Health in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The findings from three qualitative studies were similar when the informants emphasised the importance of ICTs in making them continue to virtually connect with others during the lockdown period [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Social technology applications such as messaging and video calls were part and parcel of their daily life to keep them connected with their family and friends.…”

“…The summary from the qualitative studies indicated that the pandemic had caused loneliness and a sense of isolation due to the absence of physical contact [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. However, not all experienced loneliness as some, especially those who are digitally literate, might find that conducting activities virtually are enjoyable and satisfying [ 25 , 27 ]. The COVID-19 pandemic also caused the informants to have difficulty in time management, excessive boredom, sadness, and anxiety [ 27 ].…”

“…A quantitative study also showed that the respondents tended to spend most of their time on social media and messaging apps, with approximately an average of 368 min per week spent on communication applications; however, the breakdown of time used by different age groups was not mentioned [ 23 ]. Furthermore, the findings from two qualitative studies reported that the Internet was used to seek for health-related information, especially information on COVID-19 [ 25 , 26 ]. Some informants also highlighted their experience using the Internet such as grocery shopping, ordering food, virtually joining religious activities, and learning new recipes online [ 25 , 26 ].…”

“…Furthermore, the findings from two qualitative studies reported that the Internet was used to seek for health-related information, especially information on COVID-19 [ 25 , 26 ]. Some informants also highlighted their experience using the Internet such as grocery shopping, ordering food, virtually joining religious activities, and learning new recipes online [ 25 , 26 ].…”

“…Additionally, age-related changes such as poor vision and back pain also caused them to have difficulties in using ICTs. Some experienced excessive eye tiredness and back pain after using the computer for a long time [ 25 ]. Furthermore, Wallinheimo and colleagues identified several reasons for middle-aged and older adults to not use the Internet such as not being digitally literate, they perceived the Internet as unsafe, and did not have access to good equipment and broadband [ 22 ].…”