Use of technology as a mediator for loneliness

This study seeks to identify the significant predictors of loneliness among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and asks if using technology can help older adults mitigate the effects of loneliness during periods of social isolation. Data from Wave 9, COVID-19 Survey 2 (Summer, 2021) of the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) were used to determine which factors were meaningful influences on loneliness among older adults during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic N = 10 countries in 3 healthcare system clusters. Statistical analysis for this study consists of two steps: Independent-Samples Kruskal-Wallis and the Dunn-Bonferroni tests; then, logistic regression analyses were used to examine differences between 3 cluster identities. The Kruskal-Wallis test shows that the rate of loneliness varies significantly different countries [χ2(9)=583.6;p< .001], with Latvia/Lithuania having the highest rates. Dunn's pairwise tests were conducted for the 3 country clusters with very strong evidence (p < 0.001) of a difference between rate of loneliness between clusters, with cluster 3 countries of Latvia/Lithuania reporting greatest loneliness; and, age, home care, employment, and financial support (p < 0.001) being significant for the use of technology with all clusters having significance. Only cluster 1 showed significance for use of technology for mitigating loneliness (p < 0.05). Findings from this study suggest that, among higher performing health system countries, technology was a significant mediator of loneliness during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings demonstrate that poorer performing countries could benefit from increased capacity for technology-based public health interventions to reduce loneliness among older adults. KEY MESSAGES: • Public health interventions can use technology to mitigate feelings of loneliness among older adults. • Public health programming can focus on introducing technology-based interventions for older adults.