Correlates of Social Isolation Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Bibliographic Data

ID22091304
AuthorsOmolola E Adepoju (0000-0002-5585-7146, University of Houston System, corresponding author), Minji Chae (University of Houston System), Lechauncy Woodard (0000-0001-9685-4219, University of Houston System), Kendra L Smith (0000-0002-9167-9594, University of Houston System), Luz E Herrera (Texas A&M University School of Law), Luz Herrera, Daikwon Han (0000-0001-7509-015X, Texas A&M Health Science Center), Daniel L Howard (0000-0001-9809-8197), Daniel Howard (0000-0001-6475-6243, Texas A&M University), Jessica Dobbins (0000-0003-1710-8184, Health Affairs), Marcia G Ory (0000-0001-8036-2383, Texas A&M Health Science Center), Marcia Ory
Year2021
Volume9
Pages702965-702965
Publication date2021-12-10
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2021.702965
PMID34956998
OpenAlexW4200252077
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited20

Background: The past year has severely curtailed social interactions among older adults given their high rates of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. This study examined social, behavioral, and medical correlates of social isolation among community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and stratified findings to explore unique differences in two typically neglected populations, African American and Hispanic older adults. Methods: Working with community-based organizations and senior living centers, the research team administered a survey to older adults 55 years of age and older ( n = 575). The survey assessed COVID-19 prevention behaviors, medical conditions, and lived experiences, including feelings of social isolation, in the target population. Responses to a previously validated social isolation question informed a dichotomous social isolation dependent variable. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for sociodemographic characteristics, medical conditions, unmet caregiving needs, and COVID-19 prevention behaviors. Results from the regression model were stratified by race/ethnicity to examine correlates of social isolation in African American and Hispanic older adults, separately. Results: Overall, female sex and a higher level of education were also positively associated with social isolation (OR = 2.46, p = 0.04; OR = 5.49, p = 0.02) while having insurance exhibited an inverse relationship (OR = 0.25, p = 0.03). Unmet caregiving needs were strongly associated with social isolation (OR = 6.41, p < 0.001) as was having any chronic conditions (OR = 2.99, p = 0.02). Diabetes was the single strongest chronic condition predictor of social isolation. Among minority older adults, a different pattern emerged. For Hispanic older adults, language, unmet caregiving needs, and social distancing were strongly associated with social isolation; while unmet caregiving needs, having 1+ chronic conditions and adhering to social distancing guidelines were significant predictors in African American older adults. Conclusion: These findings suggest that social isolation affects older adults in a myriad of ways and support the need for culturally sensitive initiatives to mitigate the effect of social isolation in these vulnerable populations

Disease · Environmental health · Ethnic group · Logistic regression · Pandemic · Population · Psychiatry · Social distance · Social isolation · Social support · Sociology · Aging and Gerontology Research · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Demography · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology