Locked Down in the Rainbow Nation
Alleviating the Loneliness of South African Older Persons
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22097686 |
|---|---|
| Authors | L S Geyer (0000-0002-3765-3051, University of Pretoria), Jill M Chonody (0000-0001-6859-0826, Boise State University), Jill Chonody, B Teater (0000-0003-1503-0096, The Graduate Center, CUNY) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 59 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Publication date | 2023-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2312-7198 • E-ISSN: 0037-8054 |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch University (PUBLISHER • ZA) |
| DOI | 10.15270/59-4-1171 |
| OpenAlex | W4389294647 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 26 |
The literature on the biopsychosocial effects of COVID-19 on older persons has originated predominately from the Global North, with a dearth of studies focusing on the loneliness of older persons in the developing world, such as South Africa. This cross-sectional study explored the loneliness of South African older persons (N = 118) before and during COVID-19 to inform gerontological social work. The survey incorporated a standardised scale of loneliness and items to assess the type and quantity of contact with others, physical health, mental health and socio-demographic variables. Bivariate and multivariate analyses explored the factors that contributed to overall loneliness, emotional loneliness and social loneliness. Results indicated a statistically significant increase in social, emotional and overall loneliness from pre- to during COVID-19. Considered from a socio-ecological resilience perspective, gerontological social work services are recommended for alleviating loneliness amongst South African older persons during a pandemic, such as COVID-19. Keywords: COVID-19, developmental social welfare, gerontological social work, loneliness, older persons, socio-ecological resilience, South Africa
Loneliness · Mental health · Psychiatry · Psychological resilience · Social isolation · Social support · UCLA Loneliness Scale · Health and Well-being Studies · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology
Older Adults and the Mental Health Effects of Covid-19
Annual Research Review
The Development of a Rasch-Type Loneliness Scale
The Effect of Loneliness on Distinct Health Outcomes
Social Relationships and Mortality Risk
A Critical Review of Resilience Theory and Its Relevance for Social Work
Resilience and mental health
Loneliness
Impact of Social Isolation Due to Covid-19 on Health in Older People
Older adult loneliness
Designing resilience research
Technology as a coping tool during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) pandemic
Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality
A meta-analytic review of relationship maintenance and its correlates
Emotional, Social, and Existential Loneliness Before and During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Age Differences in Risk and Resilience Factors in Covid-19-Related Stress
Loneliness and Mental Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Understanding the Role of Relationship Maintenance in Enduring Couple Partnerships in Later Adulthood
The Practice of Social Research
Delivering a psychosocial program for older people living in retirement homes during the Covid‐19 pandemic
The social ecology of resilience
The trajectory of loneliness in response to Covid-19
Meeting social needs and loneliness in a time of social distancing under Covid-19
Developing and testing a model of loneliness
Reflecting on the Human Rights of Older Persons in South Africa
Stress During the Early Months of Covid in the U.S
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |