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The Enabling Role of ICT to Mitigate the Negative Effects of Emotional and Social Loneliness of the Elderly during COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Carmen Llorente-Barroso

    (Department of Applied Communication Studies, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Olga Kolotouchkina

    (Department of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising, University CEU San Pablo, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Luis Mañas-Viniegra

    (Department of Applied Communication Studies, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially hard on the elderly owing to their particular vulnerability to the virus. Their confinement to prevent the spread of the virus resulted in social isolation, often linked to the unwanted loneliness that hinders their emotional well-being. The enabling capacity of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) to overcome the negative effects of this isolation requires special attention. The purpose of this research is to understand the impact of the use of ICT on the emotional well-being of elderly people during their confinement. (2) Methods: A qualitative exploration method based on four focus groups with elderly people aged 60 years or older and three in-depth personal interviews with experts in education of the elderly were carried out. (3) Results: Research results evidence a negative emotional impact of the confinement (lack of physical contact with their loved ones, fear and uncertainty, feeling of loneliness, sadness at the loss of family members) on the emotional well-being of study participants. Furthermore, the operational capacity of ICT to prevent infection, as well as their positive emotional and humanizing role in providing access to entertainment and hobbies, and in improving self-esteem was also acknowledged. (4) Conclusions: ICT have become a valuable ally for elderly people aged 60 years and older to mitigate the negative effects of social isolation and loneliness imposed by the confinement.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmen Llorente-Barroso & Olga Kolotouchkina & Luis Mañas-Viniegra, 2021. "The Enabling Role of ICT to Mitigate the Negative Effects of Emotional and Social Loneliness of the Elderly during COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:3923-:d:532478
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    2. Hui Foh Foong & Sook Yee Lim & Fakhrul Zaman Rokhani & Mohamad Fazdillah Bagat & Siti Farra Zillah Abdullah & Tengku Aizan Hamid & Siti Anom Ahmad, 2022. "For Better or for Worse? A Scoping Review of the Relationship between Internet Use and Mental Health in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-15, March.
    3. Zhizheng Zhang & Wentao Wei & Tianlu Zhu & Ming Zhou & Yajun Li, 2022. "New Dimension on Quality of Life Differences among Older Adults: A Comparative Analysis of Digital Consumption in Urban and Rural Areas of China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-23, November.
    4. Hongyun Zheng & Wanglin Ma & Junpeng Li & Julio Botero, 2023. "Relationship between Internet Use and Negative Affect," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(4), pages 1693-1713, August.
    5. Carmen Llorente-Barroso & María Sánchez-Valle & Mónica Viñarás-Abad, 2023. "The role of the Internet in later life autonomy: Silver surfers in Spain," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-20, December.
    6. Chia-Jung Lee & Yen Hsu, 2021. "Promoting the Quality of Life of Elderly during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-12, June.
    7. Susanna Nordin & Jodi Sturge & Maria Ayoub & Allyson Jones & Kevin McKee & Lena Dahlberg & Louise Meijering & Marie Elf, 2021. "The Role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Older Adults’ Decision-Making Related to Health, and Health and Social Care Services in Daily Life—A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-18, December.
    8. Mateja Lorber & Jožica Černe Kolarič & Sergej Kmetec & Barbara Kegl, 2023. "Association between Loneliness, Well-Being, and Life Satisfaction before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-12, February.
    9. Alicia Murciano-Hueso & Antonio-Víctor Martín-García & Ana Paula Cardoso, 2022. "Technology and Quality of Life of Older People in Times of COVID: A Qualitative Study on Their Changed Digital Profile," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-15, August.
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