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Loneliness and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study Among Dutch Older Adults

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  • Theo G van Tilburg
  • Stephanie Steinmetz
  • Elske Stolte
  • Henriëtte van der Roest
  • Daniel H de Vries
  • Deborah Carr

Abstract

ObjectivesWith the spread of COVID-19, the Netherlands implemented a policy to keep citizens physically distanced. We hypothesize that consequent reduction in the frequency of social contacts, personal losses, and the experience of general threats in society reduced well-being.MethodsData were collected from 1,679 Dutch community-dwelling participants aged 65–102 years comprising a longitudinal online panel. Social and emotional loneliness and mental health were measured in May 2020, that is, 2 months after the implementation of the measures, and earlier in October and November 2019.ResultsIn this pandemic, the loneliness of older people increased, but mental health remained roughly stable. The policy measures for physical distancing did not cause much social isolation but personal losses, worries about the pandemic, and a decline in trust in societal institutions were associated with increased mental health problems and especially emotional loneliness.DiscussionThe consequences of long-term social isolation and well-being must be closely monitored.

Suggested Citation

  • Theo G van Tilburg & Stephanie Steinmetz & Elske Stolte & Henriëtte van der Roest & Daniel H de Vries & Deborah Carr, 2021. "Loneliness and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study Among Dutch Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(7), pages 249-255.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:76:y:2021:i:7:p:e249-e255.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbaa111
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    Cited by:

    1. Jong Hyun Jung & Kyung Won Choi & Harris Hyun-soo Kim, 2022. "Examining the Complex (Curvilinear and Contingent) Associations between Social Distancing Compliance and Subjective Health during a Global Health Crisis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Wnuk, Anna & Oleksy, Tomasz & Gambin, Małgorzata & Woźniak-Prus, Małgorzata & Łyś, Agnieszka & Holas, Paweł, 2023. "Collective action mitigates the negative effects of COVID-19 threat and anti-abortion restrictions on mental health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    3. Yu Song & Chenfei Qian & Susan Pickard, 2021. "Age-Related Digital Divide during the COVID-19 Pandemic in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, October.
    4. Zijun Xu & Xiaoyang Yu & Dexing Zhang & Xiaoxiang Zheng & Zihuang Zhang & Rym Chung-Man Lee & Peter Man-Hin Cheung & Samuel Yeung-Shan Wong, 2022. "Does It Matter Who You Live with during COVID-19 Lockdown? Association of Living Arrangements with Psychosocial Health, Life Satisfaction, and Quality of Life: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-11, February.
    5. Tiago Maia & Renata Yokota & Sofie Arnetorp & Joanne Smith & Gail Rae-Garwood & Gabriella Settergren & Marie Eckerd & Paul Williams, 2024. "Life after Lockdown: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Behaviors and Impacts of Avoiding COVID-19 in Individuals at High Risk of Severe COVID-19 and Their Caregivers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(10), pages 1-22, September.
    6. Baarck, Julia & d'Hombres, Béatrice & Tintori, Guido, 2022. "Loneliness in Europe before and during the COVID-19 pandemic," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(11), pages 1124-1129.
    7. Mina Samangooei & Ralph Saull & Netta Weinstein, 2023. "Access to Nature Fosters Well-Being in Solitude," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-15, March.
    8. Suzie Noten & Annerieke Stoop & Jasper De Witte & Elleke Landeweer & Floor Vinckers & Nina Hovenga & Leonieke C. van Boekel & Katrien G. Luijkx, 2022. "“Precious Time Together Was Taken Away”: Impact of COVID-19 Restrictive Measures on Social Needs and Loneliness from the Perspective of Residents of Nursing Homes, Close Relatives, and Volunteers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-18, March.
    9. Chun Yang & Daniel W. L. Lai & Yi Sun & Chun-Yin Ma & Anson Kai Chun Chau, 2022. "Mobile Application Use and Loneliness among Older Adults in the Digital Age: Insights from a Survey in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-22, June.
    10. Bruno Arpino & Christine A. Mair & Nekehia T. Quashie & Radoslaw Antczak, 2022. "Loneliness before and during the COVID-19 pandemic—are unpartnered and childless older adults at higher risk?," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1327-1338, December.
    11. Sumeet Lal & Trinh Xuan Thi Nguyen & Abdul-Salam Sulemana & Pattaphol Yuktadatta & Mostafa Saidur Rahim Khan & Yoshihiko Kadoya, 2022. "A Longitudinal Study on Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-17, September.
    12. Jiunn Wang & Anne Spencer & Claire Hulme & Anne Corbett & Zunera Khan & Miguel Vasconcelos Silva & Siobhan O’Dwyer & Natalie Wright & Ingelin Testad & Clive Ballard & Byron Creese & Richard Smith, 2022. "Healthcare utilisation, physical activity and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown: an interrupted time-series analysis of older adults in England," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1617-1630, December.
    13. Maria R. Dekker & Noud Frielink & Alexander H. C. Hendriks & Petri J. C. M. Embregts, 2022. "The General Public’s Perceptions of How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Impacted the Elderly and Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-13, March.
    14. Latikka, Rita & Koivula, Aki & Oksa, Reetta & Savela, Nina & Oksanen, Atte, 2022. "Loneliness and psychological distress before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: Relationships with social media identity bubbles," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    15. Mostafa Saidur Rahim Khan & Pattaphol Yuktadatta & Yoshihiko Kadoya, 2022. "Who Became Lonely during the COVID-19 Pandemic? An Investigation of the Socioeconomic Aspects of Loneliness in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-18, May.
    16. Jack Roberto Silva Fhon & Maritza Evangelina Villanueva-Benites & Maria del Pilar Goméz-Luján & Maria Rosario Mocarro-Aguilar & Orfelina Arpasi-Quispe & Reyna Ysmelia Peralta-Gómez & Sofia Sabina Lava, 2022. "The Mental Health of the Peruvian Older Adult during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-12, December.
    17. Saideh Garousi & Ali Amirkafi & Faezeh Mohammadi & Behshid Garrusi, 2023. "Iranian older adults women: The Impact of COVID-19 and Coping Strategies," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(5), pages 4409-4433, October.
    18. Olenka Dworakowski & Zilla M. Huber & Tabea Meier & Ryan L. Boyd & Mike Martin & Andrea B. Horn, 2022. "You Do Not Have to Get through This Alone: Interpersonal Emotion Regulation and Psychosocial Resources during the COVID-19 Pandemic across Four Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-20, November.
    19. Yung-Chia Hsueh & Rachel Batchelor & Margaux Liebmann & Ashley Dhanani & Laura Vaughan & Anne-Kathrin Fett & Farhana Mann & Alexandra Pitman, 2022. "A Systematic Review of Studies Describing the Effectiveness, Acceptability, and Potential Harms of Place-Based Interventions to Address Loneliness and Mental Health Problems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-29, April.
    20. Estrelle Thunnissen & Veerle Buffel & Thijs Reyniers & Christiana Nöstlinger & Edwin Wouters, 2022. "From Physical Distancing to Social Loneliness among Gay Men and Other Men Having Sex with Men in Belgium: Examining the Disruption of the Social Network and Social Support Structures," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-20, June.
    21. Tara N. Officer & Fiona Imlach & Eileen McKinlay & Jonathan Kennedy & Megan Pledger & Lynne Russell & Marianna Churchward & Jacqueline Cumming & Karen McBride-Henry, 2022. "COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown and Wellbeing: Experiences from Aotearoa New Zealand in 2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-23, February.
    22. Barjaková, Martina & Garnero, Andrea & d’Hombres, Béatrice, 2023. "Risk factors for loneliness: A literature review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).
    23. Louise McCabe & Alison Dawson & Elaine Douglas & Nessa Barry, 2021. "Using Technology the Right Way to Support Social Connectedness for Older People in the Era of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-19, August.
    24. Nicola Di Fazio & Donato Morena & Giuseppe Delogu & Gianpietro Volonnino & Federico Manetti & Martina Padovano & Matteo Scopetti & Paola Frati & Vittorio Fineschi, 2022. "Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19 Pandemic Period in the European Population: An Institutional Challenge," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-20, July.
    25. Takashi Oshio & Hiromi Kimura & Shingo Nakazawa & Susumu Kuwahara, 2023. "Evolutions of Self-Rated Health and Social Interactions during the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected by Pre-Pandemic Conditions: Evidence from a Four-Wave Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-11, March.

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