Social isolation during COVID‐19 lockdown impairs cognitive function

Abstract

Studies examining the effect of social isolation on cognitive function typically involve older adults and/or specialist groups (e.g., expeditions). We considered the effects of COVID-19-induced social isolation on cognitive function within a representative sample of the general population. We additionally considered how participants 'shielding' due to underlying health complications, or living alone, performed. We predicted that performance would be poorest under strictest, most-isolating conditions. At five timepoints over 13 weeks, participants (N = 342; aged 18-72 years) completed online tasks measuring attention, memory, decision-making, time-estimation, and learning. Participants indicated their mood as 'lockdown' was eased. Performance typically improved as opportunities for social contact increased. Interactions between participant sub-groups and timepoint demonstrated that performance was shaped by individuals' social isolation levels. Social isolation is linked to cognitive decline in the absence of ageing covariates. The impact of social isolation on cognitive function should be considered when implementing prolonged pandemic-related restrictive conditions.

Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological wellbeing and cognitive function of older adolescents

“…This pattern of association emerged early on in the pandemic and was sustained over subsequent timepoints, including when young people returned to school and social distancing measures and pressures associated with distance learning eased. This suggests that cognitive difficulties in this age group may be reflective of sustained overall impacts of the pandemic, as opposed to being linked to particular social distancing protocols (e.g., lockdowns; Ingram et al, 2021). A key aim for future work will be to ascertain the extent to which any pandemic-related cognitive difficulties are sustained as social distancing measures ease, and if transient, whether these difficulties may return during subsequent periods of stress relating to either the pandemic or other life events.…”

“…While several studies have sought to understand the impact of COVID-19 infection on individuals' cognitive functioning (e.g., Becker et al, 2021;Daroische, Hemminghyth, Eilertsen, Breitve, & Chwiszczuk, 2021), to the authors' knowledge only one previous study has investigated the implications of social distancing measures for cognitive functioning (Ingram, Hand, & Maciejewski, 2021). This study provides initial support for an association between social distancing measures (in this case, enforced social isolation during a period of lockdown) and reduced cognitive performance in an adult sample (aged 18-72 years).…”

“…Although prior research on the relationship between social isolation and cognitive function has typically focused on older adults (Evans et al, 2019), studies with younger participants have demonstrated that even perceived social exclusion can impair cognitive function (Baumeister, DeWall, Ciarocco & Twenge, 2005) and self-regulation (Twenge, Baumeister, Tice, & Stucke, 2001). While there is therefore initial support for an association between social isolation and cognitive impairment during the pandemic (Ingram et al, 2021), this has yet to be examined in an adolescent cohort. Cognitive difficulties are associated with both social isolation and anxiety, yet the particular impacts of the pandemic on young people's cognitive functioning have yet to be examined.…”

Social isolation during COVID-19 lockdown impairs cognitive function

“…The fourth model (henceforth referred to as the 'living status' model) examined differences between participants who lived alone during lockdown (n = 41) and those who co-habited (n = 301). The All data and analysis scripts are openly available (Ingram et al, 2021).…”

Prediction of generalized anxiety levels during the Covid-19 pandemic: A machine learning-based modeling approach

“…One of the shared global experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic is the experience of “lockdown.” However, such strict restrictions vary from country to country and change over time. The consequences of lockdowns on mental health have been substantial [ [1] , [2] , [3] ]. Lockdown conditions lead to social isolation and confinement, which can impact the population's mental health.…”