The Effect of COVID-19 on Loneliness in the Elderly. An Empirical Comparison of Pre-and Peri-Pandemic Loneliness in Community-Dwelling Elderly

Abstract

Old-age loneliness is a global problem with many members of the scientific community suspecting increased loneliness in the elderly population during COVID-19 and the associated safety measures. Although hypothesized, a direct comparison of loneliness before and during the pandemic is hard to achieve without a survey of loneliness prior to the pandemic. This study provides a direct comparison of reported loneliness before and during the pandemic using 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) on a pre-and a peri-pandemic sample of elderly (60+ years) individuals from Lower Austria, a county of Austria (Europe). Differences on a loneliness index computed from the short De Jong Gierveld scale were found to be significant, evidencing that loneliness in the elderly population had in fact risen slightly during the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated safety measures. Although the reported loneliness remained rather low, this result illustrated the effect of the "new normal" under COVID-19. As loneliness is a risk factor for physical and mental illness, this result is important in planning the future handling of the pandemic, as safety measures seem to have a negative impact on loneliness. This work confirms the anticipated increase in loneliness in the elderly population during COVID-19.

Depressive Symptoms, Fatigue and Social Relationships Influenced Physical Activity in Frail Older Community-Dwellers during the Spanish Lockdown due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Consequently, social connections are essential to foster activity and PA in older adults and are an important component of PA group programs success [ 11 , 61 ]. Although during the first COVID-19 outbreak the population, especially older adults, may have progressively adapted to the new daily routines and limitations, this situation has a clear negative impact on social relationships and loneliness [ 62 , 63 , 64 ]. Tackling loneliness and social relationships requires specific implementation strategies [ 65 ], and these need to be adapted and implemented to promote the adherence to exercise programs [ 23 , 66 ], particularly in these challenging times.…”

Physical Activity, Loneliness, and Meaning of Friendship in Young Individuals – A Mixed-Methods Investigation Prior to and During the COVID-19 Pandemic With Three Cross-Sectional Studies

“…This presumption suggests that existing feelings of loneliness can be eased by generating more deep and meaningful social interactions ( Hawkley and Cacioppo, 2010 ). Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of examining loneliness when analyzing the impact of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic (e.g., Cao et al, 2020 ; Hamermesh, 2020 ; Heidinger and Richter, 2020 ; Loades et al, 2020 ). Some studies have explicitly shown that loneliness has increased since the start of the pandemic ( Elmer et al, 2020 ; Heidinger and Richter, 2020 ).…”

“…Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of examining loneliness when analyzing the impact of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic (e.g., Cao et al, 2020 ; Hamermesh, 2020 ; Heidinger and Richter, 2020 ; Loades et al, 2020 ). Some studies have explicitly shown that loneliness has increased since the start of the pandemic ( Elmer et al, 2020 ; Heidinger and Richter, 2020 ). Other studies have also indicated that chronically lonely individuals remained lonely, whereas those at risk for becoming lonely due to the COVID-19 pandemic consisted of specific groups such as younger individuals and those experiencing social isolation ( Heidinger and Richter, 2020 ).…”

“…Some studies have explicitly shown that loneliness has increased since the start of the pandemic ( Elmer et al, 2020 ; Heidinger and Richter, 2020 ). Other studies have also indicated that chronically lonely individuals remained lonely, whereas those at risk for becoming lonely due to the COVID-19 pandemic consisted of specific groups such as younger individuals and those experiencing social isolation ( Heidinger and Richter, 2020 ).…”

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has already triggered a range of publications examining its effects on loneliness: Studies have demonstrated that individuals who were alone in lockdown experienced reduced happiness ( Hamermesh, 2020 ). Among older individuals, those living alone were shown to be at higher risk for increased feelings of loneliness ( Heidinger and Richter, 2020 ). Notwithstanding, there is other evidence suggesting that reported loneliness does not interrelate with any state orders and lockdown measures ( Luchetti et al, 2020 ).…”