WHO
Rebecca Robbins, PhD, Associate Scientist, Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, and lead author of study in SAGE Journals.
WHAT
Using data collected from the National Health and Aging Trends Survey, researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital explored older adults’ (age 65 and above) reported communication patterns with friends, family, and healthcare providers on various modalities, including digital platforms (e.g., video calls) and face-to-face, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers explored the relationship between different communication modalities and feelings of anxiety and depression about the COVID-19 pandemic and reports of loneliness.
Researchers found that in-person interactions with friends, family, and healthcare providers were associated with fewer mental health concerns. In contrast, interactions using digital technologies, including emails and video calls, were associated with feelings of depression and anxiety about COVID-19.
Robbins is the first author of this article in SAGE Journals, which explores the intersectionality of technology use and mental health in older adults. According to Robbins, “While it is possible that those who were nervous about the pandemic (e.g., experiencing feelings of depression and anxiety) were more likely to utilize digital tools as opposed to in-person interactions, it is also plausible that the digital technologies used were not suited to the needs of older adults, which could have engendered mental health concerns we observed in our study among users of digital platforms.” While technology has been argued to be a tool for alleviating the isolation associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing policies, Robbins argues, further research is needed to design communication technologies to meet the needs of older adults as a means for preparing for future pandemics.
“Older adults face an elevated risk poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, necessary public health measures to reduce risk of COVID-19 may have exacerbated the risk for loneliness and mental health concerns among these individuals,” said Robbins. “Given our study’s findings of increased feelings of anxiety and depression among older adults using digital technologies, we need to consider ways of designing technologies to meet the needs of older adults.”
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