Journal article
Associations between changes in loneliness and social connections, and mental health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Women’s Health Initiative
The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, v 77(supplement 1), pp S31-S41
16 Dec 2021
PMID: 34915558
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background : Older women have faced significant disruptions in social connections during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Whether loneliness increased, or whether a change in loneliness from pre- to intra-pandemic period was associated with mental health during the pandemic is unknown.
Methods : Older women (n=27,479; mean age 83.2 [SD: 5.4] years) completed surveys in mid-2020, including questions about loneliness, living arrangements, changes in social connections, and mental health. Loneliness was also previously assessed in 2014-2016. We examined whether loneliness changed from the pre- to intra-pandemic period and explored factors associated with this change. In multivariable models, we investigated the association of changes in loneliness and social connections with mental health.
Results : Loneliness increased from pre- to intra-pandemic levels. Factors associated with worsening loneliness included older age, experiencing stressful life events, bereavement, histories of vascular disease and depression, and social connection disruptions. Factors associated with a decrease in loneliness included identifying as Black, engaging in more frequent physical activity, being optimistic, and having a higher purpose in life. A 3-point increase in loneliness scores was associated with higher perceived stress, higher depressive, and higher anxiety symptoms. Social connection disruptions showed modest or no associations with mental health.
Conclusions : Loneliness increased during the pandemic in older women and was associated with higher stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms. Our findings point to opportunities for interventions targeting lifestyle behaviors, well-being, disrupted social connections, and paying closer attention to those with specific medical and mental health histories that may reduce loneliness and improve mental health.
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Details
- Title
- Associations between changes in loneliness and social connections, and mental health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Women’s Health Initiative
- Creators
- Joseph S Goveas - Medical College of WisconsinRoberta M Ray - Fred Hutch Cancer CenterNancy F Woods - University of WashingtonJo Ann E Manson - Harvard Medical SchoolCandyce H Kroenke - Kaiser PermanenteYvonne L Michael - Drexel UniversityAladdin H Shadyab - University of California San DiegoJaymie R Meliker - Stony Brook UniversityJiu-Chiuan Chen - University of Southern CaliforniaLisa Johnson - Fred Hutch Cancer CenterCharles Mouton - The University of Texas Medical Branch at GalvestonNazmus Saquib - Sulaiman Al Rajhi CollegesJulie Weitlauf - Stanford UniversityJean Wactawski-Wende - University at Buffalo, State University of New YorkMichelle Naughton - The Ohio State UniversitySally Shumaker - Wake Forest UniversityGarnet L Anderson - Fred Hutch Cancer Center
- Publication Details
- The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, v 77(supplement 1), pp S31-S41
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Nursing (Undergraduate); Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000897627500004
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85136612146
- Other Identifier
- 991019205668804721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Geriatrics & Gerontology
- Gerontology