Pandemic Diaries: Lived Experiences of Loneliness, Loss, and Hope Among Older Adults During COVID-19

Abstract

Background and Objectives While research on loneliness in later life has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, we still lack diverse qualitative approaches capturing lived experiences of lonely older adults. Approaches to research with older adults instead of on them are also scant in gerontological literature on loneliness. Through solicited diaries, this study aimed to explore how older Australians who were already lonely before the pandemic managed lockdowns (stay-at-home orders) in Victoria, Australia, which lived through one of the longest lockdowns in the world. Research Design and Methods This article is based on qualitative diaries completed by 32 older adults (aged 65+). Diaries provide a ‘live’ document where participants become active research partners, recording and sharing their perceptions and experiences. This method is useful to capture sensitive issues, but to our knowledge has not been employed in loneliness studies. Data were thematically analyzed through identification of themes within and across diaries. Results Loneliness was defined by participants as a detrimental absence of companionship and meaningful social interactions. For most, lockdowns exacerbated loneliness, presented new triggers, and upended coping strategies. The disruption of the ‘emotion work’ involved with managing loneliness led to a reconfiguration of response strategies, including through digital technology, which brought both challenges (e.g., digital ageism) and opportunities (e.g., novel communication forms). Discussion and Implications Understanding how older people living alone define and respond to loneliness in diverse contexts – for example, before and during a pandemic that restricted social interaction – provides critical insights to inform interventions to tackle loneliness.

The use of diaries for understanding the experience of health and illness

“…Once participants decide how, when and where they want to share their stories, it becomes possible to manage the emotions that emerge during critical reflective moments (Broom et al, 2014;Neves et al, 2022). This type of power -to make decisions about the method itself -makes it possible not only to involve participants in the research -making them co-researchers (Bartlett, 2012;Hislop et al, 2005) -, but also to open space for the production of highly descrip tive and detailed data (Elliott, 1997;McClinchy et al, 2022).…”

“…Diaries provide the necessary conditions for individuals belonging to vulnerable groups (e.g., terminally ill patients) to feel comfortable sharing aspects of their lives that may be sensitive and challenging in nature (e.g., talk about their health condition) (Milligan et al., 2005). Once participants decide how, when and where they want to share their stories, it becomes possible to manage the emotions that emerge during critical reflective moments (Broom et al., 2014; Neves et al., 2022). This type of power ‐ to make decisions about the method itself ‐ makes it possible not only to involve participants in the research ‐ making them co‐researchers (Bartlett, 2012; Hislop et al., 2005) ‐, but also to open space for the production of highly descriptive and detailed data (Elliott, 1997; McClinchy et al., 2022).…”

“…Diaries have been found to be particularly useful to conduct research with vulnerable groups because of its ability to offer a space where respondents can express their emotions and experiences without making extraordinary demands on them (Broom et al., 2014; Neves et al., 2022). Participants thus have the possibility to define, through writing, how they want to share their stories (Koopman‐Boyden & Richardson, 2013; Symon, 2004).…”

“…A key benefit of the method is that it enables data to be collected in a non‐intrusive way (Bedwell et al., 2012). When writing a diary respondents can reflect on their experiences, offering a rich description of their life stories and past circumstances (Elliott, 1997; Neves et al., 2022).…”

“…By allowing, simultaneously, to give voice and control over the research process, it is a particularly appropriate methodological tool to address sensitive and private issues, such as health and illness (Meth, 2003; Milligan et al., 2005). Its adaptable and flexible nature to the needs of research participants also enables its application to contexts characterized by vulnerability and fragility (e.g., chronic pain sufferers or terminally ill patients) (Broom et al., 2014; Hilário & Augusto, 2020; Neves et al., 2022). Additionally, the method promotes several levels of reflexivity that actively contribute to enriching the analysis (White, 2021).…”