Loneliness, loneliness literacy, and change in loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults: a cross-sectional study

Hui-Chuan Hsu; Shiau-Fang Chao

doi:10.1186/s12877-022-03396-7

Loneliness, loneliness literacy, and change in loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults: a cross-sectional study

BMC Geriatr. 2022 Aug 26;22(1):707. doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-03396-7.

Authors

Hui-Chuan Hsu^{1

2}, Shiau-Fang Chao³

Affiliations

¹ School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, No.250, Wuxing Street, 11031, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.. gingerhsu@tmu.edu.tw.
² Research Center of Health Equity, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.. gingerhsu@tmu.edu.tw.
³ Department of Social Work, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Abstract

Background: Loneliness has become a significant public health concern for older people. However, little is known about the association of loneliness, loneliness literacy, and changes in loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic with mental well-being. The purpose of this study was to explore whether loneliness literacy is related to a lower risk of loneliness, increased loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic, and improved mental well-being for community-based older adults.

Methods: A telephone survey was conducted to collect data from older adults aged 65 years or older in Taiwan (n = 804). Loneliness, change in loneliness during COVID-19, and loneliness literacy were the main variables. Mental well-being was assessed by depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Related factors included personal level (demographics, health conditions, health behaviors, and problem-focused/ emotion-focused coping strategies), interpersonal level (marital status, living arrangements, social support, social participation, leisure activities, and social interactions during COVID-19), and societal level (areas and regions) factors.

Results: Four dimensions of loneliness literacy were identified by factor analysis: self-efficacy, social support, socialization, and in-home support. Self-efficacy and in-home support were related to lower loneliness. Lower self-efficacy, higher social support, and higher socialization were related to changes (increases) in loneliness during COVID-19. In-home support may prevent depressive symptoms, while self-efficacy was beneficial for better life satisfaction. In addition, emotion-focused coping may increase loneliness during COVID-19, while satisfaction with family support would be a protective factor against loneliness.

Conclusion: Loneliness literacy is related to loneliness and increased loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Building up an age-friendly community with embedded services/information and learning positive coping and mental resilience strategies are suggested.

Keywords: COVID-19; Community; Coping strategy; Loneliness; Loneliness literacy; Mental well-being; Older adults; Social support.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
COVID-19*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Literacy
Loneliness*
Pandemics