Social isolation, loneliness and positive mental health among older adults in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.24095/hpcdp.43.4.02

Language of the publication
English
Date
2023-04
Type
Article
Author(s)
  • Ooi, Laura L.
  • Liu, Li
  • Roberts, Karen C.
  • Gariépy, Geneviève
  • Capaldi, Colin A.
Publisher
Public Health Agency of Canada

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Social isolation and loneliness are associated with poorer mental health among older adults. However, less is known about how these experiences are independently associated with positive mental health (PMH) during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2020 and 2021 cycles of the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health to provide estimates of social isolation (i.e. living alone), loneliness and PMH outcomes (i.e. high self-rated mental health, high community belonging, mean life satisfaction) in the overall older adult population (i.e. 65+ years) and across sociodemographic groups. We also conducted logistic and linear regressions to separately and simultaneously examine how social isolation and loneliness are associated with PMH. RESULTS: Nearly 3 in 10 older adults reported living alone, and over a third reported feelings of loneliness due to the pandemic. When examined separately, living alone and loneliness were each associated with lower PMH. When assessed simultaneously, loneliness remained a significant independent factor associated with all three PMH outcomes (overall and across all sociodemographic groups), but living alone was only a significant factor for high community belonging in the overall population, for males and for those aged 65 to 74 years. CONCLUSION: Overall, social isolation and loneliness were associated with poorer well-being among older adults in Canada during the pandemic. Loneliness remained a significant factor related to all PMH outcomes after adjusting for social isolation, but not vice versa. The findings highlight the need to appropriately identify and support lonely older adults during (and beyond) the pandemic.

Subject

  • Health

Keywords

  • COVID-19,,
  • older adults,
  • social isolation,
  • living alone,
  • positive mental health,
  • loneliness

Pagination

171-181

Peer review

Yes

Identifiers

PubMed ID
37043546
ISSN
2368-738X

Article

Journal title
Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada: Research, Policy and Practice
Journal volume
43
Journal issue
4

Citation(s)

Ooi LL, Liu L, Roberts KC, Gariépy G, Capaldi CA. Social isolation, loneliness and positive mental health among older adults in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2023 Apr;43(4):171-181. doi: 10.24095/hpcdp.43.4.02. PMID: 37043546; PMCID: PMC10111573.

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Collection(s)

Social determinants of health

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