The Effect Of Covid 19 Social Distancing Restrictions On Social Isolation And Loneliness Among Older Adults

Purpose: This study examined whether social distancing restrictions (SDR) implemented in the United States during the Covid-19 pandemic increased loneliness and social isolation among older adults. Methods: Paired sample t-test analysis was performed to measure changes to loneliness and social isolation after SDR. Paired sample t-test was also performed to measure changes in two subsets of loneliness, emotional loneliness and social loneliness. Results: These analyses showed statistically significant increases in both loneliness and social isolation after implementation of SDR. Analysis also indicated statistically significant increases in both emotional loneliness and social loneliness Discussion and Implications: The results show that while both loneliness and social isolation increased, there was a greater increase in social isolation. Results also indicate a greater increase in emotional loneliness than social loneliness. Loneliness and social isolation are detrimental to the wellbeing of older adults. For that reason, programs and interventions should be introduced to mitigate these increases, and the negative consequences thereof, among older adults.