The DOI matches its Crossref record; 6 of the 6 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Coping with being cooped up: Social distancing during COVID-19 among 60+ in the United States
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the impact of sheltering in place and social distancing among adults aged 60 and older during the 2020 outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States. METHODS: Using convenience sampling respondents were asked to complete a web-administered survey to explore impact of social distancing on loneliness, stress, and behavioral changes. The analytic sample consisted of 833 responses of persons aged 60 and older. RESULTS: A large portion reported being stressed (36%), and/or being lonely (42.5%). Nearly 1/3 stated that their sense of loneliness increased during the time of social distancing. Respondents reported engaging in more solitary activity (and fewer in-person activities), using email and text messages more than usual, and spending more time on computers/tablet than usual. Approximately 2/3 reported using more social media than usual. These differed significantly by younger (age 60-70) and older (71+) respondents. Additionally, changes in physical activity, drinking, recreational drug use and sleeping pattern changes differed by age. CONCLUSIONS: Social distancing has significant consequences on loneliness and health behaviors among adults in the United States, many of which differ by age group. Results have implications for continued shelter in place practices, but also for any older adult that may be homebound for other reasons.
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“However, the younger group reported higher levels of stress than the older group.”
From The impact of COVID-19 infection and enforced prolonged social isolation on neuropsychiatric symptoms in older adults with and without dementia: A review (2020) · cites this paper as [21]
In the citing paper
“Emerson et al. (21) found no differences in self-rated mental health between older adults aged 60–70 and those aged above 70.”
From The impact of COVID-19 infection and enforced prolonged social isolation on neuropsychiatric symptoms in older adults with and without dementia: A review (2020) · cites this paper as [21]
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“The studies here reviewed also highlight how healthy older adults forced to isolate socially reported high levels of stress (21), anxiety and depression that seem to be particularly associated with loneliness (22).”
From The impact of COVID-19 infection and enforced prolonged social isolation on neuropsychiatric symptoms in older adults with and without dementia: A review (2020) · cites this paper as [21]
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Cites
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“Loneliness has been connected to both morbidity and mortality (4, 5).”
BackgroundSARS control and psychological effects of quarantine, Toronto, Canada
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Loneliness and health in older adults: a mini-review and synthesis
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- Peplau LA, Perlman D. Loneliness: A Sourcebook of Current Theory, Research and Therapy. Perspectives on loneliness. New York NY:Wiley; 1985. p. 1-18.
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The loneliness of social isolation can affect your brain and raise dementia risk in older adults
Harrington, K., & Sliwinski, M. J. (2020) · The Conversation · doi:10.64628/aai.shngs59ug
Fernandes, P. C. C., Cenedesi, R. T. F., Vouillat, S. E., & Júnior, M. A. C. (2025) · Springer proceedings in business and economics · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-94487-1_35
Williamson, E. M., R Marian, I., Newell, P., Morris, A., Slark, M., & Lamb, S. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.25980504
Goodyear, V. A., Boardley, I., Chiou, S.-Y., Fenton, S. A. M., Makopoulou, K., Stathi, A., Wallis, G. A., Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J. J. C. S., & Thompson, J. L. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14920919
Goodyear, V. A., Boardley, I., Chiou, S.-Y., Fenton, S. A. M., Makopoulou, K., Stathi, A., Wallis, G. A., Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J. J. C. S., & Thompson, J. L. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14920922
Goodyear, V. A., Boardley, I., Chiou, S.-Y., Fenton, S. A. M., Makopoulou, K., Stathi, A., Wallis, G. A., Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J. J. C. S., & Thompson, J. L. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14920916
Bal, F. (2026) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-025-09024-y
Jennings, E. A., Roberts‐Toler, C., Harriman, N. W., & Ohene‐Kwofie, D. (2026) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbag076
Metadata
- Authors
- Emerson, K. G.
- Affiliations
- University of Georgia (US)
- Corresponding author
- Emerson, Kerstin Gerst
- Venue
- Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública
- Publisher
- Pan American Health Organization
- Published
- 2020-06-29
- Volume
- 44
- Pages
- 1
- ISSN
- 1020-4989 (ISSN-L)
- 1680-5348
- PMC
- PMC7323755
- OpenAlex
- W3037911986
- Cited by
- 110
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 5
- FWCI
- 8.81
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-nd
- Locations
- Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › COVID-19 Prevention and Impact
- Keywords
- social distancing, COVID-19 pandemic, older adults, loneliness, stress, sheltering in place, health behavior, social media use, physical activity, sleep patterns, alcohol consumption, recreational drug use, age differences, homebound older adults
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