The impact of COVID‐19 on the psychosocial well‐being of older adults: A literature review

Abstract

Introduction The novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV2 (COVID‐19) was declared a global pandemic in 2020 with the greatest risk to older adults. Prolonged restrictions and isolation threaten the social and emotional welfare of vulnerable groups with concerns focused on the long‐term impact of this pandemic on the health and well‐being of aging populations. Purpose Using the Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (STT) as a conceptual framework, the purpose of this literature review was to explore the impact of COVID‐19 on the psychological and social well‐being of older adults. Methods Numerous academic and healthcare‐related databases were searched to yield 24 relevant primary research articles, published during the pandemic (2020–2022), for analysis. Results/Conclusions Overall results indicated the pandemic had a significant negative affect on the psychological and social well‐being of older adults to include those with cognitive impairments and dementia despite perceptions of reduced awareness. There were significant differences between age groups with older adults reporting greater emotional stability and coping skills than younger cohorts. Although supportive services and the use of technology‐enhanced well‐being these resources were reduced during the pandemic due to lack of trained staff, funding, and other socioeconomic or political barriers. The SST proposes that feelings of satisfaction, a sense of belonging, and purpose are important for emotional well‐being but the pandemic challenged these goals and, for many, resulted in stress, anxiety, and depression. Clinical Relevance Healthcare providers and policymakers need to be aware of the negative consequences triggered by the prolonged pandemic and take measures to provide services that support the psychosocial well‐being of older adults.

Older adults' experiences of wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparative qualitative study in Italy and Switzerland

“…Although research has documented the negative impact of the pandemic on older adults, studies have also suggested that in some ways, older adults did not suffer as much as their younger counterparts, as documented in the literature review by Seckman ( 2023 ). Older adults in the United States reported less pandemic-related stress, less social isolation (Birditt et al, 2021 ), and greater emotional wellbeing (Carstensen et al, 2020 ) than younger adults.…”

Emotions, COVID-19 related thoughts and satisfaction with life during the critical period from control to relaxation

“…Well-being is a multifaceted, ambiguous concept but in general refers to having a positive view of life and circumstances, which equates to being happy and satisfied with life ( Diener, 2000 ; Seckman, 2023 ). The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on people’s well-being, mainly due to the uncertainty about the future and the measures governments have implemented to control the virus.…”

“…Studies have demonstrated that individuals have the ability to find positive aspects within difficult situations and learn and grow from them by focusing on their strengths and maintaining a positive perspective ( Pyszczynski et al, 2015 ; Cox et al, 2021 ; Leibow et al, 2021 ). It is worth noting that while older people are at a higher risk of infection compared to other age groups and face challenges such as a lack of physical touch, reduced interaction with family, fear of infection, hospitalization, and death, as well as concerns about missing out on active years of life, research suggests that older people may exhibit lower stress levels, higher overall mental well-being, and a better emotional resilience response and coping skills following the experience of COVID-19 compared to younger people ( Sterina et al, 2021 ; Seckman, 2023 ). Therefore, it is crucial to seek support when needed and engage in self-care practices to promote resilience and well-being.…”

“…However, existing literature and reviews mainly focus on measuring anxiety, depression, and stress levels during the COVID-19 pandemic, tending to emphasize the negative consequences of the pandemic’s psychological and psychosocial impact. Limited research has been conducted on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on overall well-being (see Esposito et al, 2021 ; Sterina et al, 2021 ; Seckman, 2023 ). Nevertheless, existing research has not explored how people cope with or mitigate the psychological effects of these adverse outcomes, especially during a critical time in the policy transition from control to relaxation, coupled with an increase in the number of infection cases.…”

Situación físico-emocional de los hombres y las mujeres mayores durante la pandemia: influencia del falle-cimiento de personas próximas a ellos por covid-19 (The physical-emotional situation of older men and women during the pandemic: influence of death of people close to them by covid-19)

“…Sin embargo, se evidenció un cambio en los estados emocionales durante el confinamiento, con una disminución en el nivel de optimismo y un aumento en las emociones negativas. Aunque después de un año, los niveles de optimismo volvieron a ser similares a los registrados antes de la pandemia (Kyrolainen & Kuperman, 2023), se observó un impacto negativo en el bienestar psicológico durante la pandemia, como se ha señalado en investigaciones previas (Seckman, 2022) y que ha ido fluctuando en función de la evolución de la pandemia (De Pue et al, 2023). El bienestar psicológico fluctuó en función de la evolución de la pandemia, siendo influenciado por preocupaciones, niveles bajos de actividad física y una reducción en las interacciones sociales (Sutton et al, 2022).…”