Exploring loneliness in the older adults and the disability populations 12-months post COVID-19 restrictions

Research Objectives: To identify factors associated with loneliness among the older adults and the disability populations 12-months following COVID-19 physical restrictions. As well as to identify strategies to alleviate the loneliness experienced by these populations.

Design: The data in this study were taken from a larger study with a longitudinal concurrent mixed-methods design with four data collection points. Data from time point four (12-months post COVID-19 restrictions) were used for our study purposes.

Setting: This study was completed within the general community of adults living in Canada, British Columbia. The study and data collection were completed through online survey tools.

Participants: A Survey of a total of 70 British Columbian adults who self-identified as being comfortable writing and speaking in English and belonging within the older adults (>64 years) or the disability populations (self-described and including stroke, spinal cord injury and other disabilities) were included.

Interventions: N/A

Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measures included scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), as well as the UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale. These scales measure for anxiety and depression, social support, and loneliness respectively. We used hierarchical linear regression to determine the association of age, sex, disability status, anxiety, depression, social support, and mobility with loneliness.

Results: Participants reported general low levels of loneliness, anxiety, and depression and an overall high level of perceived social support. Majority of participants reported to be living with others. Our analysis showed a positive association between anxiety and loneliness (β = 0.340, p = 0.011), and a negative association between social support and loneliness (β = -0.315, p = 0.006). There was no association between depression and loneliness (β = 0.210, p = 0.116) as well as between mobility and loneliness (β = -0.005, p = 0.968).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that anxiety and social support were associated with loneliness in older adults and people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased efforts to reduce anxiety and improve social support in clinical and community settings may be helpful in reducing loneliness in older adults and people with disabilities during the pandemic-related restrictions.

Author(s) Disclosures: No conflicts of interest.