Social connectedness in a locked-down world: A phenomenological study of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Beardmore, Amy; Beynon, Penny; Crabbe, Christine; Fullforth, Jan; Groome, Jeremy; Jones, Mathew

Abstract

Background: Whilst qualitative research has previously been conducted on older people’s personal resilience and wellbeing during COVID-19, there are fewer empirical studies on the impact it had on social connectedness for this age group. In this paper we seek to examine older people’s social connectedness to others during the pandemic, their personal experiences of seeking out those connections, and whether there are any identifiable pre-existing factors that enabled them to minimise the impact of enforced isolation. Methods: Using a phenomenological methodology, we conducted in-depth interviews with 13 older people between March and May 2021. These interviews explored the participant’s lived experiences of staying socially connected to others during the enforced lockdowns and various restrictions. Results: Our findings reveal strong themes of personal resilience, sense of coherence and other protective factors, but also highlight the benefits of establishing connections to friends, family, organised groups and community prior to the pandemic. Conclusion: Older people’s ability to stay socially connected is influenced by personal resilience and a positive mindset; pre-existing social ties to others and maintaining a personal sense of coherence and a sense of belonging to people or places. Our findings shed light on the importance of informal social interactions, what it means to feel lonely in older age and indicate that for some the pandemic restrictions may even have offered a welcome space in which to process significant life events.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 19, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Oct 24, 2023
• Publication Date: Oct 24, 2023
• Deposit Date: Oct 25, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 25, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Ageing and Longevity
• Print ISSN: 2673-9259
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 465-482
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jal3040020
• Keywords: older people; social connectedness; isolation; loneliness; COVID-19; lockdowns
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11392970